For the 45th time young people from all over the world came to Kraków to study Polish culture. For a few weeks, students participated in an intensive language course as well as numerous contests, games and workshops promoting Polish traditions and customs.

On 4 July 2014, in the Assembly Hall of Collegium Novum, reverberating with the sounds of numerous languages, the Summer School was officially inaugurated. This year, the First Lady, Anna Komorowska, is its honorary patron. The School's director, Dr hab. Piotr Horbatowski, read aloud her congratulatory letter after greeting the guests. Among this year's edition are students from various countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, Great Britain, United States, Serbia, and Israel. The inauguration featured a lecture by a Korean translator, Estera Czoj, devoted to translation and the presence of Polish culture in South Korea.

Despite the fact that the courses are organised during holiday season, they are very intensive – 3 to 6 hours a day. Additionally, the participants are able to attend a wide range of classes on culture, history, art and grammar under the supervision of experienced lecturers, teachers and coordinators. After the course is finished, students may take an exam in Polish, which is recognised and credited by many foreign universities. The School also conducts a preparatory course for those students who wish to take the State Certificate Examinations in Polish as a Foreign Language.

The School also features many accompanying events which immerse international guests in Polish culture. Students may learn Polish daces, such as polonaise or krakowiak. On one evening, a campfire was set up in the Kraków zoological garden. The campers sang traditional (and less traditional) Polish songs accompanied by a guitarist. The café in the "Piast" student guesthouse hosted the traditional celebrations of St. Andrew's Day. A Christmas Eve was also organised: the participants decorated a Christmas tree and sang carols.

An important aspect of the Schools mission is popularising Kraków and the region. Because of that, every edition includes a location-based game. Due to weather conditions, it could not be organised outside this year, but it did not prevent the participants from having a wonderful time. In the Center for Polish Language and Culture in the World, eight teams contended with one another in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The tasks included reciting a Polish poem, recognising the important buildings in Kraków and identifying their locations, and guessing regional snacks based on their taste.

photo: Karolina Malinowska

Based on a special issue of the WUJ student magazine.