Being Polish expat 100 years after Poland regained its independence

On November 11th 2018 Poland is celebrating 100th anniversary of independence, regained just after World War I had been over.

How does it feel and look like to be Polish citizen living abroad in 2018? Each of us got different perspective, so let me focus on mine.

Spelling your name is a continuous challenge

My name is Wojciech, and the number of spelling options I was offered (e.g. at Starbucks Coffee Shops) is amazing. ”Voucher” is just one of the funniest. Yes, Polish spelling is weird for English speaking world. Why we use “W” instead of “V” and “J” instead of “Y” (to mention only benign hurdles of Polish spelling)? Poland is mistaken for Holland so often, that it is not hard to find my country’s name spelled “Polland”, too.

Voucher, it is how they spell Wojciech in Bahrain

 Apples from Polland (like Holland) in supermarket

 It is easiest to place Poland between Germany and Russia

When you explain where are you from it is important to stress you’re not from Holland. To give some idea where Poland lies the simplest way is to say “between Germany and Russia”. I know, it’s not like that now, after Soviet Union crumbled apart, but it is kind a compromise. And, technically, it is true, if you think about Kaliningrad Oblast.

What is important? EU, Schengen, no Euro

Much more practical is to mention that Poland is a member state of European Union, belongs to Schengen zone, but not to Eurozone. Your friends will need Schengen visa to come visit you (in case you are back).

Very important fact: your passport is Schengen & EU passport

Polish heroes are, well, not Polish for foreigners

People from other countries have no idea of Polish claims regarding such figures like Copernicus (an astronomer), Chopin (a composer) or Sklodowska-Curie (a scientist). At least you are able to defend Polish origin of Skodowska’s, based on her family name. And aware! Wikipedia is not always helpful in providing right arguments. Sometimes, when speaking to Roman Catholic, you can count on St. John Paul II, a pope. Here, in Middle East, he is recognized (as a Polish Pope) by expats from Phillipines.

Sport helps

Robert Lewandowski is probably the most recognizable fellow citizen of yours. In my case the soccer player is a good start for a small talk or explanation of Polish spelling. Actually, our names ends identically – with “-ski”. Folks more engaged in soccer sometimes pronounce my name surprisingly well – all because of Wojciech Szcz?sny, who is currently a goalkeeper for Italian club Juventus. Not only soccer makes Poland recognizable. Two years ago the only sportswoman from Poland who was present in Bahraini newspapers was Agnieszka Radwańska, a tennis player. Recently, Polish volleyball team made a good job winning the World Cup in 2018. If only Poland were good at cricket …

I realized how much I underestimate Polish economy …

It is not general knowledge, but at least among professionals of economy and banking background: there is a very good perception of Polish economy. Living in Poland I used to focus on short term challenges and small scale economy turbulences. So my perception of Polish economy was quite mixed. Actually, high view assesment of Polish economy is straightforward - Poland is a very good performer. People remember and appreciate successful transformation of nineties and impressive performance during 2008 crisis. Some of them know Polish successful digital bank – mBank. The bank is often presented as the best practice during events on digital transformation and innovation. It makes me easier to explain what I am doing for a living and what my achievements are (for I am digital banker and a member of team who launched mBank in 2000).

… and how much overestimate impact of Polish innovations

On the contrary of Polish economy achievements, financial innovations, we are so proud of, seem insignificant. The reason is clear, Poland is not huge enough market or powerful financial hub, to reshape the global innovation trends. Mobile payments gained attention when Apple launched Apple pay and Ant Financial introduced its payment solution. Yes, it is true, that Poland is at least three-four years ahead in process of payment mobilization, comparing to majority of markets. But the reality is that it does not matter until our Polish, local solutions spread across Europe (at last). It is still not the case.

Having presented my perspective on Polish expat’s life I wish to all my fellow citizens Happy 100th anniversary of regaining independence and encourage my non-Polish colleagues to explore a bit history, beauty and culture of my country.

Linguistic note:

Please help me improve my writing. Any comments concerning the language are welcome; anyway, I am an expact, not native speaker