Kudzai is a unique participant in our project. Although he comes from distant Zimbabwe, he has been living in Poland for over five years, picking up various experiences and many valuable thoughts along the way.

The scale of his involvement, as well as the number of various interests, are impressive. He is a real sports fan (especially tennis), but also a social activist and a member of a scientific club.

If you are curious about the perspective of an African student and his path to Poland, be sure to read this interview.

Welcome Centre: Hello! Good to have you on board! We can't wait to hear your story.

Kudzai: Hi! Thank you for inviting me to the project. My name is Kudzai Chigubu, and I am a graduate student of International Business at the Krakow University of Economics. I originally come from Zimbabwe, a country in the southern part of Africa. This is my fifth year in Poland, as I graduated from my first-cycle studies here, as well as a Polish language course at the University of Łódź.

Welcome Centre: How did you find yourself in Poland?

Kudzai: I wonder about it myself sometimes too. Generally, looking back at my high school years I was rather a quiet person and didn't step out of my comfort zone too easily, but one day I decided to challenge myself, try new things and get to know different cultures. Therefore, I got in touch with the Polish diplomatic mission in Zimbabwe and, together with two other students, we went on the language course I mentioned.

Welcome Centre: And what were your first impressions after coming to Europe?

Kudzai: I must admit that pretty much everything was different. The climate was different, people were different, and the culture to which I was used for 19 years of living in Zimbabwe was completely distinct from what I found in Europe.

Welcome Centre: So you experienced a kind of culture shock.

Kudzai: I fully expected it to be different here, but what surprised me the most was that English is not so widespread in Poland. I had always thought of this language as a lingua franca I can use to communicate with people everywhere in the world. On arrival, I quickly discovered that this is not the case. Even at the Polish language course, with which I started my education in Europe, there were language barriers, because the students from Eastern Europe who were learning Polish with me did not speak English at all.

Welcome Centre: That must have been tough for you. But now, knowing the local language, is it better?

Kudzai: It is much better. I was able to get an internship and later find employment in the sector related to my studies. I have also met many people here and learned a lot about the country itself. I know its legal system, the way it functions and I have a Polish residency card, so I will definitely stay here for a while.

Welcome Centre: But back to your beginnings in Poland, after your arrival how did you find the local people? How did they behave towards you?

Kudzai: At the time when I came to Poland, there were not many Africans living here. I stood out in the crowd, which made many people pay attention to me. There were also awkward situations when children asked their parents if they could touch my hair, for example…

Welcome Centre: It must have been annoying.

Kudzai: It was, but to some extent I could understand it. I guess it’s all natural and caused by some differences between us. We all grew up with certain stereotypes. In Africa, we have some about Europeans as well.

Welcome Centre: And when you entered the university, did you feel more welcomed?

Kudzai: Yes, it was completely different. I mean the academics, but also the other people I met there. Since I study in English, I have contact with so many cultures and backgrounds and I no longer feel alienated at all.

Welcome Centre: That's fantastic!

Kudzai: Indeed. I have a lot of Erasmus students in my classes, coming from Germany, Finland, Bulgaria, Cyprus and many more – studying with them I feel like I’m travelling without leaving Krakow.

Welcome Centre: How about your life outside attending classes? Have you managed to engage in any additional activities

Kudzai: For the past two years I was kind of passive. At the beginning of my studies, I wanted to be more involved, but the language barrier was a problem. Now, however, and in the last year of my bachelor’s degree, I was able to get involved in many interesting projects. I joined one of the science clubs and took part in the debate at our faculty and in October 2020 I represented Poland in France, at the European Youth event. There have also been other initiatives related to ecology and planting trees on campus, for example.

Welcome Centre: Wow! That’s impressive.

Kudzai: It was very important to me – it opened my eyes to many things in the world and gave me an opportunity for real development. I also think that now is the right time to get involved socially and academically in projects such as KUE's International Ambassadors, for instance. Later, I would like to focus on my professional development, so there will be less time for such activities. I also have many other hobbies that I would like to spend time doing. For example, I love playing tennis.

Welcome Centre: Of course. Everything in life has its own place and time. Is there anything else you would like to share with your fellow students?

Kudzai: I would say that KUE has definitely been a good choice. It is one of the best universities in Krakow, with many opportunities waiting for you. Of course, it can be a bit scary and daunting at first, especially when coming from a distant country, but after a while everything turns out fine. As it was in my case. Let my message be that sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to feel true satisfaction.

Welcome Centre: It's great to hear that. We keep our fingers crossed for you and all your plans! You are definitely a big motivator and an example for other international students to follow.

Kudzai: Thank you too!I am glad we met and could show the multiculturalism of our university together!