Motivation
I do not like to define myself a classic emigrant as it reminds me of the romantic pathos of insurgent exile, and yet I did not leave Poland because I felt unhappy there. Back in the high school, before the Polish accession to the European Union, we were taught about the seriousness of occupational mobility during our entrepreneurship classes. I left because for a long time I had been interested in the British music scene, and soon after, the wider culture of this country. Nevertheless, everyone has their own motivation to go abroad. It is this motivation that in most cases will define the nature and dynamics of living abroad.
So far, it seems that going to college is the best way to relocate. Graduating in the UK definitely improves the quality of experience of living abroad. Firstly, it allows for early assimilation into the culture, gaining confidence in English language usage (after a strong pass on the exam for a language certificate) and building friendships with people who will be our colleagues in the future. Secondly, it increases the chances of finding a job in the profession because universities operate as businesses, with students being treated as customers. They ensure that students have proper access to the business sector and can integrate with people who have already finished their studies and developed successful careers. However, going away for degree level study requires preparation and good planning since most students have to work to support themselves and pay for their studies, though financial rules changed in 2012.
Another group are people that are leaving for economic reasons with the intention of finding a job on the spot. The process of finding a job is very often based on applying in places where acquaintances are already working for minimum wage and have no learned profession – a kind of labour that has assumed a symbol of a “sink”. Obviously this is not a universal rule, and I know many people who have managed to find a job relevant to the profession that they have studied in Poland, for example architects, computer scientists and social workers. There are also those, who relatively quickly, start their own business in a country where the labour market is based predominantly on services: gardening, washing windows, the famous Polish plumber and computer maintenance. Regardless of the nature of work, we always compete for it with locals.
Assimilation
It is hard for many Poles to assimilate with British people at work, who generally know little about Poland. Then something amazing happens. Poles realise that they also know little about their own country and start talking platitudes confirming negative stereotypes. It has some logic, “I am no longer a part of this nonsense, and it’s behind me, now I have a new life”. This in turn builds an awareness of superiority in the British interlocutor, who should give shelter to his poor fellowman. In the long run such a Pole is no longer taken seriously as it presents himself as a victim and as a weak unit, especially from a professional perspective. Each Pole abroad is an ambassador for his country and there is a lot in the Polish identity that we should be proud of. The way that we are perceived by Britons is shaped to a large extent through direct interactions rather than the official advertisements from Polish government or occasional trips of Britons on “stag parties” to Krakow. This is crucial in times of crisis and increased competition for jobs, increased intensity of the rhetoric of right-wing politicians like Nigel Farage and Nick Griffin, or attacks on Tony Blair for opening of the UK labour to the European Union.
Low assimilation leads to a deeper integration by the Polish diaspora and “bunkering” among their own people – those, who are easier to communicate with and who are “in the same boat”. At work it creates a gap to the British colleagues, for whom social integration and networking are important elements of self-development. Conscientiously working off eight hours and a quick evacuation to the house may be seen as a manifestation of unfriendly attitude. It is worth nothing that pathology among Polish diaspora resulting from alienation is an increasing problem. Lonely people who lack interaction at the same level they had in Poland are more susceptible to all drugs. One of the most shocking tragedies was the murder of Maciej Ciania by her roommate in 2012.
Support
Is it in the interest of the Polish authorities to invest money towards the integration and cultural activities of diaspora?! Particularly when the Polish language is the second most common language in the United Kingdom after English. Consulates have small funds for supporting citizens in cultural activities, particularly in a city like Edinburgh. A city which is the second cultural capital of the UK, home to one of the largest cultural festivals in the world, and a charming historic centre which is a world heritage site. Within the context of high potential and low means there is a rivalry between the leaders and animators of Polish culture.
There is no support for initiatives, which are the alternative for those typically cultural, such as sport or even clubs of battle games enthusiasts. After all, not every Pole living abroad is interest in photography or poetry. There are a well-balanced range of activities that offer the best platforms for cultural integration – interests and passions unite people regardless of their origin.
One of the most positive initiatives of Poland aimed to promote emigration is the School For Leaders for the Polish Community Abroad, of which I myself am a graduate. The school is geared towards active individuals looking for further inspiration for activities in the Polish community. It seems to me that the biggest advantage of the School is not only serving as an inspiration, but also the injection of assertiveness that each participant receives through exercise in conducting discussions, team work or forum speech, the opportunity to exchange experiences between participants, befriending new people and cooperation towards results in increased competence, self-esteem and, consequently, the professional development of the individual.
The school should be up to date with the life of Polish community in order to anticipate changes in its structure, and address the realistic needs of development. I think that in its program it should also address those, who have achieved a certain success in their careers and seek further support, e.g. in the management and organisation of political activity. This in turn should help leaders avoid the “glass ceiling” that will be as impenetrable for each of us as it wishes. I hope that the School and its partners will continue to grow and will build a strong network of leaders-ambassadors around the world.
References:
1. Huffington Post UK. 2013. Tony Blair Awarded ‘Special Prize’ By Poland For Helping EU Bid And ‘Opening Up Britain’
2. BBC News. 2012. Flatmate guilty of Maciej Ciania’s murder in Edinburgh
3. The Guardian. 2013. Polish becomes England’s second language
Photo © Radosław Słomnicki