Guests commentaries, hosts commentaries
Professor Małgorzata Leyko from the Faculty of Philology, hosted a student from the Faculty of Law and Administration, Teon Maghradze from Georgia.
For my family, it was an unforgettable encounter. We met this wonderful girl who turned out to be an 'angel' and we are really glad that we have had a chance to get to know her. Next year, we would like to invite more international students so that no one is alone during this special time.
– says Prof. Leyko.
Prof. Margaret Leyko with a Guest for Christmas and her family
Yitong Wang, a student from China, was the guest of Klaudia Potakowska, a student from the Faculty of Philology. She describes the Christmas Eve food as 'luxurious'.
What surprised me most was the way people spend time during Christmas in Poland. In China, it is a little different. We meet as a group of young people, in a restaurant. Here the whole family celebrates and I think it's beautiful!
– she concludes.
On the first day of Christmas, Rector Antoni Różalski hosted Heng Sun from Cambodia, a student of the Video Games specialisation at the Faculty of Philology.
He is a very nice person and knows English well. He is communicative, willing to talk and share information about himself, but also curious to learn more about our lives. He told us about his master's thesis, which he has been preparing in Lodz, and his plans for the future. He tasted all the dishes, including those typically Polish ones – dumplings and bigos.
– Professor Różalski comments.
Rector Antoni Różalski with his family and Heng Sun
Izabela Prorok, a graduate of the University of Lodz (Faculty of Economics and Sociology), is a big fan of the campaign. She has taken part in the Christmas Guest campaign for the second time and she has no intention of stopping. A year ago, two students – one from China and one from Ghana – were with her on Christmas Eve. This year, a student from Kazakhstan visited her.
It is a super remedy for a 'routine, boring Christmas Eve'. I believe that such meetings, curiosity about other cultures and tolerance, as well as the promotion of Polish traditions, are the best things we can pass to children.
– she says.
It was a great experience. I have tasted delicious Christmas dishes. I had a great conversation with Iza and her family.
– recalls Anar from Kazakhstan.
Izabela Prorok with her family and Anar
Professor Jarosław Płuciennik from the Faculty of Philology has been involved in Christmas Guest campaign since it started, and this year he invited Etsub Bacha, a student from Ethiopia, for Christmas Eve, and on the first day of Christmas he hosted a student from India. The students was already hosted by the family in 2017.
It is good to open up to others in both exceptional and everyday situations. You can unite with the good news of the world. Good news about yourself too. There is hope...
– says the former Vice-Rector of the University of Lodz.
I have learnt that family is not just about blood ties alone, but also about support, sacrifice and dedication to another person.
– says Etsub Bacha.
Prof. Jarosław Płuciennik with his family and their guest Etsub Bacha.
Anna, a student from Georgia, visited Hanna from the IT Centre, University of Lodz.
There wasn't even a second of tension during the evening, we talked about so many things... I've never had such a nice Christmas. I have learnt a lot about Polish traditions. If I ever have an opportunity to repeat such an adventure, I will do so without hesitation.
– says the student from Georgia.
The Vice-Rector for Science, Professor Elżbieta Żądzińska, invited Youssef from Morocco.
We talked about Polish Christmas customs. Youssef talked about his family and his favourite dog. We have also learnt about a traditional holiday in his native Morocco – i.e. the Id al Adha festival. He tasted all the Christmas Eve dishes (including the stewed fruit), shared the wafer with us, we wished each other all the best and listened to carols. The 'Christmas Guest' campaign is a unique event and fits in beautifully with the Polish custom of celebrating Christmas.
– says Prof. Żądzińska.
Prof. Elżbieta Żądzińska and Youssef
The spokesperson for the University of Lodz, Pawel Śpiechowicz, invited Medina from Azerbaijan for Christmas. She met his entire family, who live in Pabianice on a daily basis.
Medina turned out to be a big fan of travelling. My wife must have foreseen this because she bought her a special cushion for long-haul flights as a Christmas gift. International students are much more open than us, we can learn a good approach to the world from them.
– says Śpiechowicz.
The spokesperson for the University of Lodz, Paweł Śpiechowicz with his family and Medina Rzayeva
100 nations, one university
Christmas Guest is a part of the University Diversity project. Under the "University Diversity" project, students who come to study at the University of Lodz become the heroes of photography exhibitions, meet at culinary workshops and take part in meetings during which they learn about Polish culture and customs. They can also study Polish at the Polish Language Centre for Foreigners, University of Lodz
Currently University of Lodz educates more than 2,400 international students. One of the core elements of the university's strategy is to increase the number of international students and, at the same time, provide them with increasingly better conditions of their stay in Lodz. This is not only about the educational offer, but also about the sense of integration and daily support.
We simply try to make sure that their stay in Poland will not just be a memory of studying and obtaining diplomas. We want them to feel at home in Poland. Everyone at the University of Lodz can be part of this mission. We warmly encourage you to open your hearts and minds in December 2019 as well as every day!
Source: participants of the Christmas Guest campaign, International Relations Office, University of Lodz
Edit: Promotion Centre, University of Lodz