Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in June 2024, undergraduate student Michelle Hadebe (SFS’25) interviewed a focus group with four teenagers, Vladaslava, Artem, Lisa, and Mike, at the Aspire EduHub Grand Parade in Krakow, Poland. In this focus group, the students discuss their experiences at the EduHubs, integrating into local Polish society, and making friends in Krakow.
Okay, so, hello everyone. I'm recording, as I mentioned. So, this is a focus group about understanding your experience as Ukrainian students in the ASPIRE education hub. I know I've already introduced myself to you guys, and you guys already introduced yourself to me earlier before I started recording, but do you mind going around and introducing yourself, the grade that you're in, and when you started coming to the education hubs? And because I'm recording, if you can just raise your voice just a little bit so that later on I can be able to hear you on the audio, that would be great. Yeah, we can start there.
Vladaslava: So in a Polish school, I'm in second grade in Liceum, and in Ukrainian school, I'm in 10th.
And your name is?
Vladyslava: Vladyslava. I'm studying online at a Ukrainian college. It's hard, but I like it. It's good.
Lisa: I am Lisa and I study event management.
Nice.
Lisa: And just like a future organizer, different presentations, festivals, or concerts.
Mike: Okay. Hi, I'm Mike. I just finished eighth grade in the Polish school, and I'm looking forward to getting to some Liceum.
I'm studying computer science, math, physics, maybe some languages too. By this time, I fluently speak four languages and I'm learning German right now.
Wow, that's good.
Artem: Okay, my name is Artem. This year I finished the first year at the Polish university. I study computer science and...what else? I'm 17 years old. Okay.
So, how did you guys get to know about the Education Hub?
Artem: The first time I heard about Education Hub, it was like one or two years ago. Just my mother sent me a link about like registration link to the Hub. It wasn't here; it was one station from here. And it was the first time I heard about Education Hub.
Vladaslava: So a year ago, my mother saw in Facebook link for this hub, so she told me that you can go there. Yeah, so I was in Hhub, and right now I have friends right here. So yes, because of friends right now, I'm in this hub.
Lisa: My mom registered me and my brother in summer camp, which is organized by this education hub. So yeah, and after that, I know, I find it on Facebook and looking for his what and look at what they do. It's very interesting and I like it. And after that, I come here so much and I find many new friends and different and interesting people.
Mike: So my friend was already in this education hub for, I don't know, for how long, but we had a contact and she told me, just told me that there is such a place where Ukrainian kids can go and make some new friends. So I said it was a good decision to go there and check.
That's nice. So, all of you mentioned friends and making friends. For you, what is the main reason that kept you coming to the education hubs?
And do you find making friends here with other Ukrainian kids easier than outside?
Mike: I keep going here because of the many new friends I've met and new interesting people. And sometimes it's really interesting to have a conversation with them. And definitely, it's much easier to make friends with somebody who is from your country, who can speak your language.
And maybe you have some of the same thoughts about the world. Maybe you have some ideas you share, some maybe interests. Because, for example, in my Polish school, there aren't many Ukrainians, so I assimilate and have a lot of friends who are from Poland.
So, it's an interesting experience for me, as in a foreign country, in Poland, I go to the place where only Ukrainians live.
That's okay.
Artem: Right now, school is over, so most of us come here just to meet with friends and do some activities. But during the school year, there are actually three, no, two hubs in Krakow, where children come to study, to learn something. There are special places even here, like tables, chairs, laptops, because a lot of children don't have a place to study at home here in Kraków.
And even they don't have a laptop, for example, so they come here to study. Okay, nice. What was the last question that you asked?
The last question was, how do you find making friends here at the EduHub compared to outside?
Artem: Like, I just came here, and there already were some people, so I just met, not met, okay, let's say met them. And outside, I don't know how to meet people outside, how to make friends outside. Like, maybe on some sports or...I think I didn't meet any friends outside of the Hub.
So, a lot of your friends are from here?
Artem: Yes, all from here. Okay.
Do you have anything to add?
Lisa: I think it's a good question, because when you meet with many children, you understand that we have sometimes the same problems. You know, Polish people sometimes don't understand what we say and why we come here. So, on the other side, we have, we change it, and when we see people who are like me, but you have a rejection, and you don't want to speak.
I don't know why, but sometimes I see Polish people, and what's interesting, was last year, when I was with a Ukrainian group, and Poland to a Polish group. We like history and future; together, it's like a changing camp. So, this Polish guy is very nice, so we speak a lot about singing. So it's very funny, but when we say bye, we don't speak. But I think when I hear, maybe you remember me, I don't know, but I want to have contact with Polish people, but for me, it's really hard. I don't know why, but maybe, but I really like to find a new friend.
I see, I see. Vladyslava, you said that for some Ukrainians, Polish is a bit easier. Is it easier for you to speak Polish?
Vladaslava: Yes, it's just because I know Ukrainian, so it's easy for me.
And then, is it easy to then make friends with other Polish students, because it's easy to speak Polish for you?
Vladaslava: You know, it's a very difficult question, because I know a lot of Polish people, and they are very different. I have one friend from Poland in my school, but I know that Polish people just don't see us humans or people, so...
Why do you say that? Like, what have you seen that makes you say that?
Vladaslava: I think that Polish people make jokes of us in my school, making fun of us, so yeah. With Ukrainian people, it's easier.
Nastya, do you have anything you'd like to add? You don't have to if you don't want to. It's okay, it's okay. It's okay, you can even speak in Ukrainian. Someone can help you translate, it's fine, not a problem.
Mike: What was the question?
How do you find making friends in the EduHubs, compared to outside the EduHubs?
Mike (translating for Nastya): What's the difference between making friends here, in the education hub, compared to the Polish people, in the Polish schools?
So, she studied in a Ukrainian school in Poland, so she doesn't have a lot of friends from Poland.
Is this like a physical school, or is this online school?
Mike (translating for Nastya): She goes there and studies there.
So, all the students at the school are Ukrainian?
Mike (translating for Nastya): Still Ukrainian.
And how have you found the teachers and the support system in the EduHub? Is it helpful? Do you like it?
Mike: I would say that it's only my fourth or third time when I'm at EduHub. So, I've just started this week. But I think all the people here are really friendly, and teachers are trying to help us.
So, I'm really pleased with the situation and our education.
Artem: For me, I came here only for friends, because I have a perfect, nice place to work and study at home. But I can name at least 3 people who came to EduHub to study something, to learn. Because they don't have a place to study at home, or they're unfocused at home.
And EduHub helps them to focus.
Vladaslava: I forgot the question.
You forgot the question? It's okay. How do you find the teachers and the volunteers here at EduHub?
Vladaslava: They are fine people, and the food here is very good.
Oh, food. Food, yes. Do you guys listen to Polish music?
I'm interested. Is it nice?
Mike: It depends. It really depends. I would say some songs are annoying for me, because Polish people always sing them, and I don't really like them.
But, I mean, it's like everywhere, if you find something, or if you're looking for some good songs, for example, for a couple of hours, you'll definitely find some good tracks. And it really depends on which music you like, because...
What music do you like?
Mike: It's okay for me to listen to all of the music. It's not a problem for me, because, for example, in Polish, there are some classical composers, like Frédéric Chopin; he's from Poland. So there are a lot of different Polish songs from classical music, some rap maybe.
But I prefer to listen to Ukrainian or English.
What music do you listen to? Music, movies, anything?
Vladaslava: In Polish?
Oh, let me put it this way: What language are the movies and music you listen to—in Ukrainian or English?
Mike: Ukrainian or English, okay. I prefer to watch all the movies. If they're from the United States or the United Kingdom, I prefer to watch them on the original soundtrack in English. Or if I have some problems, and it's really rare, I find some subtitles.
Oh, okay.
Mike: But for example... But when I just came to Poland, I had some problems with understanding, because I think for many Ukrainian people the main problem with communicating with Polish is that you can understand them, but you can't answer them. Because the languages are really similar, but there are some differences.
And if you've got some problems with Polish, you can watch some movies or listen to some music in Polish, maybe to use some subtitles, and try to learn some new vocab or grammar. I mean, vocab most of the time. Maybe new words, you know, some slang.
So, for example, my mom and dad are studying Polish because they didn't have the opportunity to go to a Polish school, because there are no students. And they're going to some extracurricular classes. Plus, they're trying to watch some movies, use their personal free time in Polish, to understand more words.
Vladaslava: It's good. I prefer the English language. I'm watching English movies.
Which one is your favorite?
Vladaslava: Someone Prefers Blondes.
Oh, okay. Is it because you're blonde? You said your favorite movie is Someone Prefers Blondes?
Vladaslava: It's with Marilyn Monroe. Ah, okay. Yes, and I like to listen to music only in English language.
Like, The Weeknd, Chase Atlantic, you know, Lana Del Rey, something like that.
Nice. Why English, though?
Vladaslava: Because my mother said that English language is the most... Popular? People use English often in the whole world.
So, it's good for me to learn English. Speaking English in different countries will be easier in the future.
What music do you listen to? Or movies? It's really hard for me.
Lisa: I listen to different music. It's like rock, metal, classical, Ukrainian, sometimes Polish songs. I really...
It's a mix. Yeah. I like fantasy films more.
But I really like to listen to Ukrainian. Because Ukrainians are translators and actors who speak English.
Mike: So, you mean some professional translation in Ukrainian? Yes. Like adaptation?
Yeah.
Lisa: It's really funny and really cool. Nice, nice. But now in Poland, I go to the cinema and watch Polish cartoons with my siblings in Polish.
It's... For me, it's like experience. Because I...For me, it's sometimes hard to speak Polish. But when I go to the cinema, I understand what they said.
Vladaslava: That's good. I like to watch anime.
Oh, you like to watch anime? Nice.
Vladaslava: I like anime a little. I like Ukrainian music. English music.
That's good, that's good. Okay. So, how have you found adjusting to Polish culture? So, like the food, the way Poles do things. Is it similar to Ukrainian or different? And how do you find adjusting to that?
Mike: Actually, it's a really hard question. But I'll try to answer it. I don't know how to say it, but Ukrainians and Polish people are really similar and really different in the same moments.
In the different spheres and aspects of life, maybe some traditions could be similar. But there are some different dishes, for example. Polish cuisine is sometimes really different from the Ukrainian one.
But maybe... People behave sometimes similarly to Ukrainians because maybe we're close to each other. Actually, I've never been in France or in Germany.
But I definitely can see the difference between people, for example, in Montenegro or in Hungary or in Slovakia.
Artem: So, I think it depends. Okay, when I came to Poland, I lived in a Polish family for three months.
Oh, nice.
Yeah, we were eating Polish food, we were traveling with them. I really liked the food.
Was it like a host family or were they relatives?
Artem: No, it's like we met them for the first time. We didn't know where we were going. And it was nice.
They were... Yeah, I can say they were kind of rich. I really see the difference between a bit richer people and the average.
They have different values. Every day they go to the mall for their first walk. They like traveling, sports.
But maybe, it also depends. They took me to travel 60 kilometers in the mountains.
Wow.
Artem: It was awesome. They formed my vision on Polish people.
Ah, okay. And did you come alone and stay with them, or did you come with your family and stay with their family?
Artem: I came to Poland with my mother and her brother.
Ah, okay. In their house?
Artem: And we lived in one house.
Okay. Do you still have contact with them? Oh, nice.
Good, good, good. Anyone else have anything to add?
Vladaslava: What do I think about Polish culture? Yes.
It's okay. I'll ask again.
Yes. What do you think about Polish culture, and how do you find it? Is it easy for you to adapt to it? Is it difficult? Is it strange? Is it different? What do you think about it?
Vladaslava: I think it's very cool because when I came to Poland, it was two years ago, when the war started. I was in the old school, and Polish people were like...
They had very good relationships with me. They were helping me. Because I didn't know the Polish language, I spoke with them in English.
And they were speaking with me in English. And I saw that Polish people on weekends always go for a walk with their families. And spend time with kids.
It's a very good opportunity.
Did you all come right after the war with your families or siblings?
Mike: No, I stayed in the western part of Ukraine for a couple of months. Actually, I've got a huge journey across all whole Europe. Because when the war started, I went to the western part of Ukraine and stayed there for three months.
Then, I went to Romania for one week, then to Hungary for one week, then to Slovakia for one week. Then, I went to Poland for three weeks, but there was a law that if you aren't a citizen of this European Union, you can't stay there more than 19 days. So, we went from Europe to Croatia and Montenegro.
And then, in June or July of 2022, we went back to Poland. Because this law was changed and we can stay there for longer.
And how was that for you, moving to different countries?
Mike: Since the war started, I have lived only one night in Ukraine. And I was really disappointed when we left. We swapped flats or houses every week.
