Relatively low prices for living and education attract thousands of Ukrainian students to Poland
The main reason for choosing Poland as a country for higher education was cited by 39% of respondents as relatively low prices in this country. Another 29% of respondents came to Poland because of lower education costs, and 22% see more prospects for their professional development in Poland and more opportunities to find a job in line with their education in the future.
About what has turned Poland into a Mecca for students from Ukraine, as well as what stands in the way of fast and successful integration of foreign students into Polish society, Polskie Radio was told by the head of the European Program of the Institute of Public Affairs, Agnieszka Łada.
What attracts Ukrainian youth to Poland and why are more and more Ukrainians choosing Polish alma maters?
“First of all, it is the financial aspect: prices in Poland are significantly lower compared to prices in other EU countries,” says Agnieszka Łada. “Also, it is certainly the fact that education in Poland, a diploma from a Polish university, is recognized in Europe, thus Poland becomes a kind of ‘window to Europe.’ Also important is the geographical factor: Ukraine and Poland are neighbors, as well as the similarity of cultures and traditions. This means that it will be easier to ‘acclimatize’ and integrate into society in Poland.”
Agnieszka Łada noted that Poland lacks an effective strategy for conducting migration policy, as a result of which Poland is becoming an unfavorable country for migrants, including those coming to Poland for education.
“At the moment, the Polish government is basically having difficulty forming its own position on the issue of conducting migration policy. The previous government also did not achieve much success in this. A full-fledged official document on Polish migration policy was not created, and there is none to this day. Poland lacks the political courage to admit that migrants are needed, and migration is an inevitable process. It is necessary to offer appropriate solutions at the level of law, society, etc. But there is no such political will, so an image of Poland as a country generally unfavorable for foreigners, not only for Ukrainians, is created.”
Polish universities, especially private ones, independently organize events, for example, educational meetings, fairs, aimed at attracting Ukrainian students to study in Poland. Do Polish universities really need Ukrainian students?
“Polish universities are interested in Ukrainian students. This is mainly due to the demographic situation in Poland, as the number of children, that is, potential students in the future, is decreasing in the country. Therefore, applicants from Ukraine, most of whom, by the way, pay for education, become such a necessary source of income, especially important for private universities,” emphasizes Agnieszka Łada. “Also important is the cultural factor, faster integration into Polish society, moreover, a smaller language barrier, better command of the Polish language compared to students of other nationalities. Therefore, Polish universities want to ‘open up’ to Ukrainian students, this is very noticeable. They do this on their own initiative, and their actions are much more active and effective than actions on the part of the state.”
Agnieszka Łada noted that Poland acutely lacks an effective program for the integration of migrants at both the national and regional or local levels. Only those who have received refugee status can participate in the Individual Integration Program, while other groups of migrants, including students, are not entitled to state integration support and can only count on help from non-governmental organizations.
“On the part of the state, there are several levels that would be worth paying attention to, investing money, and devoting time and effort. First of all, it is the legislative level. There needs to be simpler and faster access to departments for foreigners, state institutions where a Ukrainian student must resolve all formal issues. Simpler rules, simplifications in laws are needed, at a minimum, queues for obtaining the necessary documents for legal stay in the country should be reduced.
Young Ukrainians or Ukrainians in general already live in Poland, are an integral part of it, they no longer constitute some small group of people. Therefore, on the part of Polish universities or public organizations, more common initiatives and projects should appear. Thus, there is a need for space where Poles and Ukrainians could communicate, cooperate, places where Ukrainian students will have access to information simply about life in Poland, healthcare, where to get legal advice, social assistance, etc.
Poles were in the same situation, for example, in Germany or Great Britain, when Poland was just joining the European Union. There was openness towards migrants, a desire to help them in various life situations. The same thing needs to be done today in Poland,” noted Agnieszka Łada.