IAT Projects: SoC
Poland
Wieliczka Salt Mines
The School of Communication took 12 students on an 18-day Study Abroad to Poland in May 2023, with the theme of “Narrating Cultural Heritage.” Ten were undergraduate students; two were graduate students. The courses offered included:
- COMM 3180 – Intercultural Comm
- COMM 3390 – International News
- COMM 3060 – Special Topics
- COMM 6140—Special Topics
The trip began with a week in Krosno, Poland, with our partner university, the State Academy of Applied Sciences (formerly Krosno State College). Students had classes with three professors at the university, who led presentations and lectures relating to American and European cultural differences, the understanding of political metaphors, and the high-profile “Witcher” book and gaming series, which has its origins in Poland.
While there, ECU students also spent time with numerous international students who attend the State Academy. Our students produced and shared a presentation about the unique “cultures” of ECU and Greenville, and groups or pairs of the international students did the same with presentations from their home countries, ranging from Ireland to Spain, Portugal to Ukraine to Turkey and more. This was followed by a reception with specialty foods from most of the countries represented.
We spent a day touring the 17th century baroque Castle Museum in Lancut, an afternoon exploring the renowned Krosno Glass Heritage Center, and a day in Bardejov, Slovakia, which has a medieval town center, followed by time in a shopping mall in Poland.
Lastly, students had a presentation by Adrian Krzanowski, the founder and an owner of the Krosno24.pl local news website.
On our eighth day, we left Krosno for Krakow, stopping to spend a day in the world famous seven-century-old Wieliczka Salt Mines. Our six days in Krakow included a partnership with the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Faculty of Philology. The university arranged faculty lectures and discussions for us about national narratives of Russian aggression in Ukraine, international cultural stereotyping; COVID-19 humor in Poland, Belarus and Romania; and about “media narration” of the war in Ukraine. We had a virtual presentation from Marcin Wrona, the White House correspondent for TVN, Poland’s biggest television news network.
As before, our students met numerous international students in Krakow. We had a guided tour of the city, toured the Schindler’s Factory museum; had a walking tour of Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic Jewish district; and attended the “Kaczmarek Cinema” Concert at the Film Music Festival in the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. We also spent a day on a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp Museum.
On Day 14, we travelled by train to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Our time there included a visit to the Palace of Culture viewing terrace, a walking tour of the Warsaw Old Town, visit to the Royal Castle, a Chopin music piano recital, a tour of the Warsaw Uprising Museum, and the Polin Jewish Museum.
Professors with Warsaw University gave lecture presentations to our students about the literary construction of Polish exceptionalism and about the significance of translation for international communication. Again, our students met numerous international students attending Warsaw University from countries throughout Europe, Central Asia, and even from Russia.
Warsaw is also where we met with, and had presentations with, several international journalists, including:
- TVN/Warner Discovery journalist Bianca Zalewska, who has been covering the war in Ukraine since the first Russian invasion in 2014. She was recognized at the White House in 2023 with the International Woman of Courage award.
- Vanessa Gera, the Associated Press chief correspondent for Poland.
- Tomasz Grzywaczewski, TVP Polish public television war correspondent to Ukraine
Outside Jagellonian U in Krakow.
Communication and media-focused study abroad in Northern Ireland
Students can earn a total of 6 credits studying Conflict and Communication (and peacemaking) as well as Media, Culture and Society. Part of the online coursework prior to our departure will include virtual presentations related to course topics from those in Northern Ireland. While there, students will get to know get to know and work creatively with youth that call Northern Ireland home, as they participate in community-based learning.
They’ll also glean more information about how real life conflict and communication are closely linked as well as how different media have influenced people’s perspectives. After we return, ECU students will extend their learning further by developing papers/projects that build on your Northern Ireland experiences.
For both classes, we’ll look in depth at the time known as “The Troubles” which spanned many years. Eventually, the Good Friday (or Peace) Agreement was created along with a plan for shared governance. More recently Brexit has meant more changes and challenges. We’ll hear firsthand stories and hold discussions with people that were actively involved in “The Troubles” and learn what their lives are like now. We’ll also participate in a peace-making workshop… something that may be helpful in other parts of your life.
One ECU graduate said, “I took the trip to Northern Ireland my senior year of college and it was an absolute blast! I got to know some amazing fellow students and staff from ECU as well as Northern Ireland locals. We explored ancient castles and museums, saw beautiful mountains and ciffs… and much more! Our group grew to be a tight-knit team, learning and laughing together. The shared experiences we had are truly unforgettable and is still one of my faborite adventures.” (Christine)
Another said, “The Northern Ireland experience trip allowed me the chance to explore a new country through the perspective of people currently living through history in the making. Working with community members, hearing individual’s stories about the conflict, and volunteering with students gave me the chance to ask questions, embrace differences, and learn from people, (about a) conflict and culture vastly different from my day to day life.” (Dana)
BELFAST, IRELAND – JUNE 19: Frederick Douglas Nelson Mandela and other resistance figures highlight a peace wall off Falls Road. Notably, MyanmarÕs Aung San Suu Kyi has been crossed out with a red X due to persecution of the Rohingya in the country. (Photo by Hugh Biggar for The Washington Post)