Name: Konul
Country of Origin: Azerbaijan
Profession: Translator
Connection to Poland: AIESEC
Purpose of the stay in Poland: AIESEC Internship Program
What surprised you most while visiting Poland?
Though my country produces oil, taxi fees were cheaper than in my country. But people were still complaining about how expensive they were.
What is different between Poland and your country of origin?
I hardly saw any traffic jams in the roads. It seems like all people follow the traffic rules in Poland.
What have you heard about Polish people, was it true or just a stereotype?
I knew that Polish people had blue eyes and blond hair, which turned out to be mostly true! I rarely met a brunette person during my travels in Poland.
Can you list three dishes you liked most?
As I don’t eat pork, I couldn’t try many dishes. However, my favorites among the ones I did eat were pierogi, zupa jarzynowa, and donuts!
Which three places in Poland do you recommend visiting and why?
Manufaktura, Wilanow Park Palace, and Old Town. The first place in Lodz where I lived is Manufaktura, which is where I used to go for any kind of entertainment, including shopping, restaurants, games and so on. I also visited Poland in winter, so I recommend visiting Wilanow Park Palace and Old Town to witness how beautiful these places look covered in white snow.
Is there anything special you would like to share relating to Poland or Polish people?
Once I injured my ankle and my buddy took me to the hospital. I had financial problems due to my insurance policy, and one woman who I didn’t even know offered her help! To tell the truth I did not expect this sort of kindness from European people, though it’s quite normal in the East. This helped break down my prejudices about European people.
What exactly guided you to Poland?
While selecting a country, I decided on Poland because I felt that it would not be very different from my host country, for reasons such as similiar language, historical relations, and so on. I am proud of my choice, as I really felt at home there.
What do you like the most in Poland? What will you never forget?
Everything related to Poland is special for me, and I remember every second that I spent there. More specifically, my friends, kindergartens, teachers, kids, and hostel were incredible.
Will you ever visit Poland again?
I would like to visit Poland again to see my friends. If I decide to, I will visit in the summer. I couldn’t visit many places and fully enjoy them because of the bad weather conditions. If I return in the summer, I will be able to fulfill all of my wishes in Poland.