Upon my arrival at John Paul II International Airport in Krakow I was unsure of what the three weeks ahead held for me.  After getting a formal tour of the city from my cousins I was left to experience Polish culture firsthand without anyone holding my hand.  From food to historical sites, I was exposed to things that are uniquely Polish. The food served in Piast Dormitory Cafeteria went much farther into the Polish cookbook then simple pierogi and kielbasa.  And seeing the beautiful European architecture exhibited in the Rynek (town square) and Wawel Castle was nothing short of breathtaking.  Seeing the growth of Poland in a sense of modern technology was also interesting. 

                In addition to touring the city on a daily basis, I was also attending classes at Jagiellonian University.  The classes I took were in Polish Language and History. In conjunction with the academic program, on weekends I went on trips to Ulicia Salt Mine, Zakopane and on a river rafting trip in the Tatra Mountains.

                Upon leaving Poland at the end of the program, I realized that through my experiences in Krakow I had made memories that will last a lifetime, and my educational experience was much deeper than simply what I learned in my formal classes there.