Krzysztof Jankowski's report
“My visit to America”
Reflections on attending the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative:
Summer Institute for Youth. July 7-31, 2008
by Krzysztof Jankowski
“Oh my God, I can’t believe it; I have never been this far away from home!” - that was my first thought after I heard that I had won the contest, thanks to which I attended the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Initiative program (BFTF).
People always tend to think in stereotypes, so do I – it seems that’s common. “Freedom, democracy, Hollywood, American dream, native American, cheap petrol, BBQ, McDonald and Red Hot Chili Peppers” – these would be my reflections about United States, if someone asked me a couple months ago. But I had an opportunity to verify that all on my own. I attended BFTF 2008, having a chance to see how America is for real. And I must admit that, without any doubts, it was the most exciting trip ever!
It all started July 5th, from my very first flight by plane, Warsaw – Vienna. That would be exciting enough, but it was a begging! Next Vienna – Atlanta - Greensboro
There was a place where I took the first step on American ground – maybe just one little step, but a great one for me, as Neil Armstrong would say. One woman from the airport’s staff was from Poland – I traveled 10k km in order to meet a Pole?! No way!!! Wow… We are EVERYWHERE.
From the airport we went straight to the Wake Forest University’s campus. That was our home now. We (me and Martina – fortunately I travelled with my friend who also attended BFTF. I was lucky, as I had someone with whom I could have a word in my native language) entered the hall and met for the first time our new friends – people from all around the World, from Europe, Asia, America... We were all in the same situation – alien state, alien people, a little fear, and much more excitement. We quickly found the same wavelength, all the fear disappeared. Now some of these people are my best friends!
The first week we spent on learning during the classes. We talked about EU, blogs, social movements, medias and lot more. The classes were considerably different than the Polish ones. These were rather discussions than learning, so our activities weren’t so exhausting. In case of being bored you might just chat with friends on Facebook (Did I mention that for the time of BFTF we received laptops of our own?). We spent the majority of our days in classes. But of course that wasn’t our only activity – after all we were playing soccer, basketball, capture the flag (see a movie on YouTube! Wow, what the game!) and many others, just… hanging out!
The thing I will not forget for sure was our campus cafeteria. I know, that’s pretty funny. I never ate more than during the stay in Wake Forest! It’s not because we could eat as much as we wanted; the point is that it was damn tasty!
That week we also visited different temples – I was in Jewish’s one. That was pretty interesting to “touch” another culture. Wow, there are so many things to write about… It could have taken too much time to describe our whole campus life. To sum up – it was cool.
The next week we moved from North Carolina and did our own “East Coast Tournée”. We visited so many places, among others Jamestown and Philadelphia. But the main aim was the capital of United States – Washington, D.C. It was my real opportunity to see how Washington is, as by far we were spending time only on campus (and in the mall, to be honest).
What was the most impressive? I don’t know, it’s hard to say… All was mesmerizing! In Philadelphia we visited Constitution Museum and the building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. That was some kind of “call of history.” As I study (among others) political systems and their history it was exciting to visit the cradle of United States. And what is more, the skyscrapers were really impressive.
It was great, but we spent only one day there. That was just a stop on the way to Washington! This town is completely different to others: without high building, full of memorials, filled with an atmosphere of politics. I will always remember standing in front of Capitol or White House. That was like touching things I used to see only on TV! Where did we go? I liked the Natural History Museum very much, also visiting Department of State (Sic! There we had The Darfur Simulation, role-playing game showing how hard is to compromise…), nationwide broadcast station… All of that was an exciting experience.
During the way back to WFU we spent two days having fun in Bush Gardens, one of the biggest amusement parks in the world, and we went to the Water Park. I have never been on such HUGE rollercoasters… Wow! Try to imagine how scared I was as I have a fear of heights. Two times more fun!
We also stopped in Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. That was nice, but unfortunately there were no original building, but only reconstructions of them. Anyway, that was the next historical site we visited and I liked it as I’m interested in the past.
After we came back to Wake Forest we were hosted by families. The third week was designed to let us taste true American lifestyle. That was cute, to have a new family for one week, but on the other hand we were also so worried that we had less time to spend together! I was a little bit shocked how much we were integrated after only two weeks… But it only shows what group of people we are.
Going back to the point I made about living with host families. I know, it’s not surprising what I’m about to say but… it also was great! Believe me, that whole visit in America was absolutely WONDERFUL. Sounds dishonest? It’s not my fault that it was cool for real! During the week spent with Scott Freese’s family I tried for the very first time tubing, water-skiing and driving a water-scooter, I visited a YMCA (now I get what it is!), and many, many others. Whatever, the most important was to have an opportunity to see what it means to be American, what average people think about policy of their government, what are they worried about etc.
The last three days we all spent together in a dormitory again. At the end we had the Talent Show – official party, during which we performed songs, dances and so on. I and Martyna decided to teach our friends how to dance the Polonaise. And it worked! I also performed the Vienna waltz with Anastasia, a Russian. Besides the official party we also had the unofficial one – Kith Party. We all know what that could have meant. But all guys dressed like women is not a thing I really should write about, so leave it behind (Ha ha!).
Last day was filled with tears, almost everyone was crying. It wasn’t surprising, that was definitely the great month and no one wanted to go back home. Anyway, it was time to say goodbye… Twelve hours later, July 30, I was back in Warsaw.
I’ve already written about my impressions of BFTF. Without any doubts it was my greatest trip ever. And for the opportunity to attend it I would like to thank the Embassy of the United States of America in Warsaw, Collegium Civitas University and Rural Development Foundation in Poland. Thanks to work they have done I had a chance to see the World from the different point of view. BFTF changes – for better for sure.
Wroclaw, 01.27.2009
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