Have a question?

Post it in the comments. I will answer it and add it to the list.

What is Poland like?

Poland is the approximate size of North and South Carolina combined. The terrain is equivalent to that of South Carolina; there are mountains, lakes, a sea (instead of beaches), hiking, museums, cities, country sides, and an array of other things. It allowing easy travel to other places is one of my faves!

How are the grocery stores?

The grocery stores are the same as those in the states, in my opinion. Some are large, some are small, and some are fresh markets.

Will you practice nursing in Poland? Does Poland accept my nursing license?

I do not practice nursing here in Poland and we planned for me not to work for the time I am here, which was supposed to only be one year. But, at this point I am not sure how long we will be staying here before moving back to the USA. I am also not sure if Poland accepts my nursing license. I have looked all over and I am unable to find a website for the needed credentialing to work as a nurse in Poland. So, if you know anything please share the information. There is also the Polish language that I do not speak and would pose as a barrier in my ability to care for my patients.

Has it been difficult living in Poland?

For me, the most difficult part is that my sisters and niece have recently had babies and I am sad that I will not be able to hold and spoil them in the greatest way possible, with time. Recently, I have also noticed since I am not working I do not feel like I have a purpose. And I am sure that is because my whole childhood, since I was 9 years old, academic career, and professional career have has been focused on me being a nurse and it is difficult to think that I will not be practicing in that capacity. So, hopefully blogging will give me a platform to use my expertise in some form or fashion. I am excited about the limitless possibilities that are out there.

Ok, ok… It is very difficult for me to be away from my friends and family also. But, I am able to talk to them. Not the babies in the same way. LoL

How is the public transportation?

I kinda do not know/remember because I have only taken the train in Poland once and that was in September 2019. I usually drive every place I go or we ride our bikes. See, nothing different than South Carolina other than the fact that Poland has bike lanes EVERYWHERE. LoL

Are there any cultural differences?

Well of course! There are cultural differences between South Carolinians and New Yorkers, between individuals from California and those from Louisiana. Not only the obvious things, but we celebrate different holidays and in Poland they celebrate name days more often or over birthdays. A name day is…

Printed in every local calendar, these name days represent the feast days of Catholic saints. Every day of the year is assigned two saints – one male, one female – and chances are if you share a name with a saint (as almost all Poles do), you too have a name day. Some names are even repeated more than once in a calendar year, in which case you celebrate the first of your name days to fall after your birthday (In Your Pocket, 2020).

In Poland Christmas Eve is celebrated with greater grandeur than Christmas Day. There are many differences between the culture of a Black southern woman and a White Polish man. But, the things to me that are of the most important are values, loyalty, commitment, integrity, ability to love and be loved, openness to learn/understand differences, emotional maturity, and knowing how to make yourself happy.

Questions from A D’s comment

What was your ultimate reason in moving to Poland? I remember how you were on the plane and the flight attendant told you the story about the Nanny, and that’s where you got the idea, right?

1) When you heard the Nanny idea, and you decided to move, was it always Poland, or did your pick Poland because of your Boo?

No, initially I decided that I was going to sell my house and move to Europe after having a conversation with a Travel Agent while on my way to New Orleans. I did not want to move to Poland because in all honesty I did not know where Poland was at that time. Geography is not my thing. LoL!!! Poland was the place I chose after I met Mateusz. I probably would have chosen a country where I could understand the language and not have to learn a completely new language. Polish is nothing like any language I have ever tried learning. The country I would love to move to is Canada. I fell in love after I visited. Or maybe London.

My ultimate reason for moving to Poland is to be with Mateusz. We came to the conclusion that it would be easier for me to leave the USA and go to Poland because he loves his job and I liked my job, but I love the people. The people I love and I can communicate no matter where I am. Plus, I feel like it is only fair for me to live here for a while if our goal is to move back to the USA at some point. We both need to know what it is like for the other to give up a life they once lived.

2) When you decided to travel abroad, did you decide upfront that you would not work for a year? What made you decide to take off of work for a year?

Yes, the initial plan was for me not to work for a year. I decided to take off work for a year because Mateusz and I both knew that it would be difficult for me to find a job in Poland. Also, the cost of living in Poland is approximately 3.5 to 4 times less than that of the US. So, I made a budget and saved enough money to not have to work for a year and I decided to sell my house which would make it easy for me to pay off all of my debt and I would not have to worry about any bills while I was away. This plan was also before Covid-19 and I was supposed to be traveling A LOT more. He he

3) So after the year is up, are both of you all moving back to the USA?

*shrug* I am not sure what we are going to do now at this point. We were supposed to move back to the US in 2021-2022. But, Covid-19 changed a lot of plans and instead of me moving to Poland in May 2020, I moved here at the end of October. I am just going with the flow of things. I am a firm believer that everything happens in its own time.