Summer Language in Lublin, Poland


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July 31st 2009
Published: July 31st 2009
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Lublin


Katolicki Uniwersytet LubelskiKatolicki Uniwersytet LubelskiKatolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski

The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Where I suffer through Polish each day.
For those of you who might enjoy reading this blog, I am writing again now that I have moved to Europe for a year. I had a really busy and stressful school year. I finished all of my Ph.D. coursework and passed my comprehensive exams and proposal defense, so now I am technically no longer a "student." Of course, I haven't written my dissertation yet, so I'm a Ph.D. candidate. I received two nice fellowships to fund my year in Europe while I collect materials for my dissertation. Another bit of information, I recently got engaged to my girlfriend of two years, Sylvia. She is from Slovakia and so we both moved to Slovakia together for the next year. We'll be getting married in January in her hometown. So in other words, my year abroad isn't strictly research related.

After three weeks in Slovakia, I traveled to Lublin, Poland, a large city in Eastern Poland near the Belarus and Ukraine borders. Many years ago, when Poland extended much father to the East in what is now Ukraine, Lublin was very central in Poland, but not it is considered the extreme East. Lublin has played an important role in Poland's history.
Carmelite ChurchCarmelite ChurchCarmelite Church

The beautiful Carmelite church in the Old Town.
It was the site of the Union of Lublin, which joined Poland with Lithuania in the commonwealth. It also had an important role during World War II. Hitler had planned for Lublin to be the location of German administration in the East. It was central to the execution of Operation Reinhardt, which was the main plan to exterminate Jews during the War. On the outskirts of town is Majdanek Concentration Camp, one of the most notorious concentration and death camps of the Third Reich. I'll write more about my visit there in a later post.

I am currently four weeks into a six week long Polish language course. I have about 3 1/2 hours of Polish language each day. I am studying and staying at the Katolicki Uniwersystet Lubelski Jana Pawla II. The Catholic University of Lublin was the only private university and the only Catholic university to remain in operation during the communist period in Eastern Europe. It is also famous for its faculty, of which Karol Wojtyla was a member for nearly 25 years before being elected Pope. My qualifying exam was conducted in the pope's former favorite classroom, which was a bit intimidating for me. The
Busy StreetBusy StreetBusy Street

Looking down on middle town from the top of trinitarian tower. I walk down this street each day to get to the Old Town.
inner courtyard of the main university building was also the most memorable site of the Pope's 1987 visit to Poland. Our dormitory is approximately half way between Lublin's old town and the main university building. It makes for a few nice walks each day. In the evenings, we usually gather a group of people to go for a drink or some food on one of the outdoor patios in the old town. I'll be writing more about some specific topics and trips we have taken in the next posts. Sylvia and I will be writing a lot together this year, throughout the year...so we look forward to sharing all of our experiences.



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LublinLublin
Lublin

Looking out across Lublin from the tallest tower in town.
Stary RynekStary Rynek
Stary Rynek

Inside the walls of the Old Town in Lublin. Straight ahead is the trinitarian gate into the city.
Stary Miasto w NocyStary Miasto w Nocy
Stary Miasto w Nocy

The Old Town at night.
Krakow GateKrakow Gate
Krakow Gate

This is one of the two main gates into the Old Town in Lublin.
Small StreetSmall Street
Small Street

The narrowest street in Lublin. Inside the Old Town.
Lublin Town HallLublin Town Hall
Lublin Town Hall

The town hall. Lublin is a candidate for European Capital of Cultural in 2016.
DormitoryDormitory
Dormitory

My little messy corner of Lublin. My roommate is a Yale history Ph.D. student.


31st July 2009

thanks
Brett, I really enjoy reading your travel blog. Keep it up!
3rd August 2009

You are lucky!
Brett I haved worked with your Dad for may years and have always enjoyed listening to him about your travels. I have been to the Czech Repubic, Germany, England, France and Italy and wish I could go back. My daughter's husband is in the Air Force and was stationed in Germany and England. She is the reason that I was able to travel. I told your Dad, to have you buy your Mom a piece of Polish Pottery. I am hook on it. Congratulations on your wedding engagement and wish you two the best. Kathy Pieper PS I am Czech, so I really understand how exciting it is to travel over there.
11th August 2009

homesick for Poland
Brett, I just discovered your and Sylvia's blog and look forward to reading about your European experiences. My husband and I have been back in the states 5 months now and are beginning to long for Krakow. His work took him there, and we lived there almost two years. I have rated some of your photographs, you have some good shots. Take many more pictueres than you think you should, we keep our photos from Europe revolving on our screen saver and they are more interesting as time goes by!

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