Poland has a history of resilience, having been invaded, partitioned and even wiped off the map in the 18th century. Despite hardships, Poland maintained its language, culture and national identity, finally regaining independence in 1918.

By understanding more about our Polish exchange students’ lives back home, it will help you gain insight into their culture and background and prepare you for a successful hosting experience. Let’s start by learning about what’s typical in Polish communication, home life, education and food culture.

Communication style

Polish communication is generally direct, frank and matter-of-fact, but Poles can also be incredibly diplomatic. Being truthful and genuine are highly valued qualities. Poles take pride in being respectful communicators. They tend to speak politely, formally and use titles when addressing authority figures or superiors. In contrast, Poles may use indirectness or evasiveness to address negative topics. ‘’Small talk’’ is not as common in Poland, especially among strangers. Poles may skip small talk and go straight to the point, especially in professional settings. Humor and sarcasm are other key markers of the Polish communication style.

Tip From EF: Give your student space to speak directly, and make sure you have open and honest conversations about communication expectations in the home. It would be helpful to explain American norms for expressing concerns, disagreements or interest. Share expectations clearly and directly with your student to ensure they are understood.

Food habits

Polish food is rooted in hearty, seasonal ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, beets, mushrooms and pork. Smoked meats, sour cream and fermented foods (like pickles and sauerkraut) are staples. Poles typically eat three meals a day, with lunch as the main meal, often including soup, a main dish, and sometimes dessert. Portions are filling but generally moderate. Soup is central in Polish meals and is often served as the first course at lunch. Families tend to buy fresh ingredients locally and whenever possible. Traditional dishes are quite labor intensive, and it can take families several hours or even several days to prepare large meals.

Tip From EF: Invite your student to go to the grocery store with you! While shopping, encourage your student to tell you what they like to eat and discuss what new foods they may be willing to try. When eating together as a family during the first few weeks, discuss differences in table etiquette between your family and their own. Encourage your student to cook some of their traditional or favorite foods.

Home life

Family and food go hand in hand in Polish culture. Many families enjoy the tradition of having large meals together every Sunday. Home life in Poland has had Eastern and Western European influences. For example, it’s not uncommon for many generations to live under the same roof. Polish people cherish their cultural traditions, and many celebrations often include special dishes and rituals that are passed down through generations. Polish people are generally known for their warm hospitality, often going out of their way to make guests feel welcome. Polish teens tend to enjoy a lot of independence, trust and autonomy from their parents. They are used to planning their own down time and filling it with sports, outdoor activities or time with friends.

Tip From EF: Sit down with your student at the beginning of the year and go over all rules, schedules and expectations. Be sure to include simple things such as getting around town, the importance of checking in with you and their curfew. They may have to adjust to a different schedule and limited transportation options in their American community. Help them to understand the best way to get around and how to communicate with you about this.