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Monika Biblis from Gdansk, Poland, explains differences between American and Polish colleges to the Reporting classes on Friday, Feb. 18. Biblis was visiting Des Moines with five students on a cultural exchange, observing the U.S, schools, sightseeing and staying in host homes.

Polish teacher, students provide different point of view for college

By: Brooke Curry and Kelsey Savolainen

Posted: 3/5/10

Five Polish students and their teacher came to Des Moines for three weeks to learn about differences between American education and Polish education.

Education in Poland Starts for students at seven years old with a six-year primary school, then a three-year middle school, three-year high school, and can eventually on to a university.

Unlike American students, students in Poland cannot change their major after the age of 15 and will not change their major once they start at a university.

Monika Biblis, 37, Polish English teacher who visited Grand View, said, "When students are in their first year of high school they must make a serious decision about what they want to do in the future and it is very difficult for them to change their decision."

Students on average attend college for five years and medical college for six years. State universities are free, but private universities are not. Students must pass an exam at a high level to even be accepted into college.

In Poland, students must have five hours a week of English, but may also take German, French and Spanish. According to Biblis, foreign language is essential in Poland, unlike the U.S.

"You don't have to learn a foreign language because everyone else in the world speaks yours," Biblis said.

Teachers also differ in Poland than in the U.S. Biblis said she rarely arrives to school early and leaves as soon as possible, but American teachers arrive early and stay late. She also said that tardiness, taking off jackets in class and cell phone policies are different.

"Phones in Poland are strictly forbidden," Biblis said. "I don't even let my students look at them, but here everyone has a phone sitting on their desk."

From a cultural standpoint, one of the hardest things for Biblis to get used to is the way people eat in America.

Biblis said, "It's hard for me to get used to it, everything is bigger. We try not to eat anything after 6 p.m."

Biblis said that the Polish diet is considerably healthier, as most citizens shop for fresh ingredients for their meals every day.

Another difference Biblis has noticed is that few people walk anywhere in Iowa, which she understands because American cities are so spread out in comparison to the city of Gdansk.

On a more humorous note, both Biblis and her students were under the impression that they had broken many of their toilets because of how full they fill up with water. It has become a running joke among the group.

Some major differences in the behavior of Americans and Poles, she said, is that in America everyone is very friendly, asking people how they are doing and smiling a lot.

Biblis said, "You come off as upbeat and optimistic people."

Biblis has also noticed the difference in nationality and pride in America. In America it is customary to have many flags out both at home and in front of businesses. In Poland, flags usually come out only for Holidays. On the other hand, Poland is also far more traditional than America. Poland's history is much older. Biblis said that one of the largest churches still in use in Gdansk is nearly 900 years old.

To Grand View students looking to come to Poland, she said, "There is a very rich history and great sight seeing." Cracow is a very popular city to visit in Poland and has millions of tourists every year.

This is Biblis' first trip to America and she said that she has had a very enjoyable time.

The trip has come at no expense to those participating as their trip is funded by the U.S. Department of State. The World Link Organization has also been a help in organizing events, sightseeing, and briefing participants on what to expect during their time here.

The first week of their visit the group stayed in Chicago, where they were able to explore the city, as well as put on demonstrations for others to educate them on Poland history and culture. For three weeks the students lived with host families and attended classes at Central Campus where Biblis also taught during her stay. For the last week of the trip Biblis and the students traveled to Washington D.C. where they put on workshops as part of the Young Leaders Program.