New environment, new challenges — talking about adaptation!

On 7 August, teenagers participating in the project met to talk about adapting to a Polish school, language barriers, integration, and ways of coping with challenges in a new environment.

On Friday, 7 August, we met with teenagers participating in the project “Improving the Well-being of the School Community in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship” to talk about their experiences of adapting to the Polish educational environment and integrating into a new society.

Changing country, school, language and surroundings can bring many new opportunities, but also a number of challenges. During the meeting, participants were able to speak openly about their experiences, difficulties and ways of finding their place in a new reality.

Together, we talked about:

• what helps young people get used to a new school and environment more quickly,
• the language barrier and fear of speaking Polish,
• the difficulties teenagers face,
• ways of finding solutions and coping with challenges,
• places and people they can turn to for support,
• new and interesting experiences that life and education in Poland can offer.

The meeting took the form of an open conversation combined with training elements, group tasks and games. This format helped create a safe and relaxed space for talking about emotions, everyday experiences and relationships with peers.

Through discussions, exercises and interaction, participants were able not only to share their own stories, but also to see that many other young people experience similar difficulties, fears and uncertainty. The conversation made it possible to look at these experiences from different perspectives and to find practical ways of dealing with challenges.

Meetings like this also show that integration does not mean giving up one’s own identity or experiences. Above all, it is an opportunity to get to know one another, build trust and create a space in which diversity becomes a value and a source of new experiences.

We would like to thank all participants for their active involvement, openness and wonderful atmosphere! 🔥 See you at the next activities organised as part of the “Friendly School” project!