Poland gets taste of Lacey

Nine Polish students and two of their teachers are visiting Lacey as part of a sister-city exchange.

Lacey and Minsk-Mazowiecki have been sister cities since 2003, and the two cities have been involved in an exchange program since 2005.

“We have this increasing cultural exchange between the cities,” said Steve Dobosz, president of the local sister city association.

The program gives students and educators from both countries the opportunity to travel and learn about another country’s education and culture.

“This (partnership) has really developed over the years,” said Kathie Perz, the association’s treasurer.

Five students are attending North Thurston High School, two are at Timberline and two are at River Ridge.

In addition to attending regular classes, the exchange students are working on research projects to share when they return.

Kasia Lysiak, 17, is writing hers on the environment and recycling. She was surprised to learn about a local elementary school that composts its leftovers.

“We don’t have such projects and if we do it’s not advertised,” she said.

Other students are doing projects on the educational system, American demographics and, of course, food.

Some of the students were served a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner. The students also have experienced American staples such as McDonald’s and Starbucks.

So far, Adrian Kamela’s favorite meal has been good old fashioned macaroni and cheese.

“I love Starbucks,” said Magda Biernat, 17.

The group has visited Seattle, several museums and attended the symphony.

Teachers Katarzyna Lasiuk and Zbignien Dasko will share what they have learned with students and administration when they return Friday.

“My students like lessons about culture,” Lasiuk said. “(and) we have a feel of America now.”

Last week, the students and teachers visited the Capitol, where they participated in a mock trial. It was a great chance for the students to learn about the American justice system, said Lasiuk.

“They were learning while playing,” she said.

The students aren’t the only ones learning. Lasiuk and Dasko have been observing classes at North Thurston.

They also will share their experiences with their city council when they return to Poland. One of the major differences the visiting teachers noticed was the freedom that American students have in planning their own education.

“(In the United States) they have more freedom to choose their subjects” Lasiuk said.

While Lasiuk and Dasko marveled about the freedom of the American education system, Dobosz, who’s a retired American teacher as well as sister city president, was impressed by the structure of the Polish system.

Polish students have 14 subjects a week and are on a college track.

“They are far more focused (in Poland),” he said. “It’s a huge difference in terms of the lifestyle that they lead.”

American students have many more hobbies, one of the exchange students told him.