Introduction of Anh Le

Hello everyone,

I'm Anh Le, third year student at Centria. I'm studying Environmental Chemistry and Technology. I'm going for my exchange program at Siedcle University of Natural Science and Humanity. When applying for exchange program, i expect that i can experience different culture as well as study deeply about chemistry.

D-I-E Poland

Assingment (2) during exchange - Describe - Interpret - Evaluate:

 

1. DESCRIBE:

  

In my exchange period, there's no such a situation that confused me. However I will tell a story that I find it quite interesting and a little bit weird at first. As we all know, the World cup was held on last summer , my friends and I went to the city center to watch the matches. And funny story when I was preparing to come back home, 1 Polish guy looked at me and said shit words, his crew also glanced at me and show their dirty finger.
I just didn't get it at all and my friends told me to be back, dont care about that bull***t. Then I left because the match also ended, suddenly I met an old man, I think he's Polish cause he came into me and spoke a lot in Polish with happy mood, like he's so exited to meet me. After that he made a handshake with me and left, didnt forget saying goodbye to me.
And then I was really confused what happened.

 

 2. INTERPRET:

Firstly, when the young crew seem hate me, I thought they're just racists. Or maybe because Poland lost that match to Japan so they hate any Asian guys. However when the old man come, I was in a crying state.
I just smiled after the old man leaving. Finally, when I met my Polish friend, she explained anything. It's mainly because I was wearing a Polish football team scarf but there're actually  2 teams in my city so the old man is fan of the team whose scarf I wore and the young boys are the fan of the other team :> 

 

3. EVALUATE:

Eventually, I think that people there just too crazy about football. They love the sport so much that sometimes too overreacting but that's also very cute in some angle, they show their feeling like a kid, so emotional and naturally.
If I was a member of the host, I'll notice the newcomers about this because it might be a fight if you cant control your temper. Anyway, it's unforgettable memory.

Hello, I am Thang Vu, I am a second year IT student, I applied for a double degree program in University of Lodz in Poland. I hope to learn and experience new environment in a new country.

D-I-E, Zhi, Poland

1. DESCRIBE: Think of one episode that has left you confused or that you think was strange/different. Describe the object or situation in concrete, observable terms. What happened in the interaction? What was said? What did you see? What did you feel at the moment?

When walking to the street, I saw different views in the city. It’s mixed west and east Europe. There are not only western Europe style buildings, factory buildings, but also Russian churches, Stalinist architecture. Seniors are more likely to speak Russian as foreign language, while young people speak are more likely to speak English and German as foreign language.

2. INTERPRET: Think of possible explanations (interpretations) for what you observed or experienced. From your cultural perspective, try to explain why you think this situation or experience occurred? Try to find at least 3 different interpretations of the interaction or occurrence. What cultural information have you used to produce these interpretations?  

This fact makes the city quite interesting, and I started to read the history of the city. From the 19th century, Łódź has been the Land for many nations: Poles, Germans, Jews, and Russians. German merchants built the textile factories, schools, theaters. Jewish built the Jewish community. Russian built Orthodox Church, Stalinist architecture. Because of the WW II, the city was partly destroyed and people died or moved away from the city. After World War II ended, Poland fell under Soviet control and the communist People’s Republic of Poland was created as a Soviet satellite state.In 1989 Communism was abolished and the Third Polish Republic had been established. 

3. EVALUATE: Evaluate what you observed or experienced. What positive or negative feelings do you have regarding the situation? Consider how you might feel if you were a member of the host culture and held the dominant cultural values and beliefs?

I realized how history can affect a city from different perspectives. Not only the buildings but also how people behave.

It is always interesting to me to trace back the history of a city. I would like to share the interesting stories about the city.

Home-University of Lodz

1. In what country and University are you studying? /

Where are you doing your internship?

University of Lodz.  Fujitsu, Lodz

2. In what Study program are you studying at Centria?

I study Information Technology.

3. What are the courses like at the host University? or What has your work placement been like?

There are lots of courses to choose. As am an exchange student, you are allowed to choose courses from all the faculties (but most from your own faculty).

4. Describe the study culture? / What is the corporate culture like?

Teachers are quite helpful. I feel welcome in Poland.

5. What is your study group like?

There was no certain group to join, and I could choose most of the courses according to my interest.

Also, there were different types, of course, I could choose. I had a lecture with about 200 students in the auditorium. Also, I had a one-to-one tutorial course (only lecturer and me). However, I had the most course with about 10 students.

I had courses with exchange students only if the course was designed for exchange programs, and I had the rest of course with local students.

6. Please describe what the everyday life is like in your host country? What do you like in particular?

There are supermarkets, restaurants, cafe, pub, library around dorm so I spent most of my time on campus. Also, the dorm is quite close to the faculty (less than 10 mins by walking) so I could sleep more in the morning.

7. What has been challenging? Why? 

I found a part-time internship at Fujitsu, Lodz as a software developer in the second semester so I was very busy. I sometimes didn’t have enough time to sleep even. 

8. What has been the highlight of your exchange so far?

Thanks to the exchange studies and internship, I am more confident about my future now. I improved both English and IT skills.