tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91277912270278418892024-03-01T23:50:26.057-08:00PR Prof in PolandReflections during a 9-month Fulbright Fellowship in Poznan, Poland, teaching Public Relations with the Poznan University of Economics.Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-68178259747089472022016-08-01T12:51:00.001-07:002016-08-01T13:09:24.327-07:00<h2>
And just like that -- it's over</h2>
This will be my last post to this blog, and I'm writing it from my office at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Robin and I have been back from Poland for two weeks, trying to imagine how our 10-month stay in Poznan was over so quickly. We loved our lives in Poland, but it's appropriate and natural to be back in Charlotte. The transition back has been a bit more challenging than we anticipated -- so much to do to resume our lives here. But I have the delightful and energizing benefit of starting in a new position with the university -- assistant dean in the Graduate School. Robin will focus more on spending time with our two granddaughters, 3 and 5. Charlotte is a wonderful place to live and work, so we're glad to be back. Nevertheless, we'll miss Poznan so very much.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have received comments about the many photos I've posted depicting Poland's magnificent beauty. To be fair and balanced, I post this photo of really ugly buildings in Poznan. The five towers on the left are remnants of the Soviet-influenced architecture of former times. There are places, I must admit, where these eyesores still exist. Thankfully, they are increasingly rare</td></tr>
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A New Generation of Poles</h3>
About 25 years ago, from 1990-1993, I was serving as a senior officer (U.S. Air Force) with NATO's military headquarters in Belgium. It was an interesting time, to say the least. It saw the ending of the Cold War, the demise of the Soviet Union, the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the reunification of Germany, and the introduction of democracy and market economies in Central and Eastern Europe. I recall a conversation I had with a senior diplomat with the Polish Embassy in Brussels during that time; I had not visited Poland yet. I asked the gentleman what he thought the prospects were for Poland's adaptation to the emerging economic and political environment. He had a very interesting answer. He said: "I'm an educated person -- I have a Ph.D. But if you gave me a wheel barrow full of money and told me to start a business, I would have no idea how to do that. The generation that was engaged in business in the 1920s and '30s is gone. We will have to educate a new generation to navigate these unfamiliar waters. It will take time."<br />
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During this past year, I was privileged to interact with Polish students who have no memories of the "former times." They have always lived in a democratic, market economy. This is the generation that Polish diplomat in Brussels was referring to. I can tell you they are fearless. They are optimistic. They are bursting with ideas. They are innovative. They are business savvy. I have every confidence that they will propel Poland to even greater economic success than it is already experiencing. Moreover, they are attuned to social issues, and they have lofty personal values and standards. They demand a great deal of themselves, and they associate focused, diligent effort with achievement. They do not expect to be given anything they have not worked for. They are willing to sacrifice immediate gratification for long-term reward. They are inspiring. That Polish diplomat in Brussels was remarkably prescient. Poland has been and continues to do so many things right: modernizing airports and rail stations, improving roads and ports, advancing telecommunications, focusing on quality education, and creating a conducive environment for business investment. At the same time, it has remained faithful to the finest dimensions of its cultural fabric: excellence in the arts, pride in its history, a spirit of optimism, and a collective resilience. Perhaps I'm biased because I love Poland, but my assessment is that great years lie ahead for this great and proud nation.<br />
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The Value of Global Connections</h3>
Many of my contemporaries are retired, but I continue to take great pleasure in professional and personal international exchange opportunities such as this Fulbright fellowship in Poland, now completed. The students I met and taught from throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America during this appointment were delightful, and I will continue to track their careers in the years ahead, thanks to social media. An example of the enduring value of these connections is provided by my former graduate student Vladimir (nickname "Vova") from Ukraine. Vova was my student in a master's degree program at UNC Charlotte around 10 years ago; he took several of my classes, and I was his thesis adviser. We stayed in contact after his return to Ukraine, and last month Robin and I traveled to Lviv, Ukraine, for several days. Vova, now living and working in Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, traveled by train to Lviv where we enjoyed two days together, exploring the beautiful city and recharging our professional and personal friendship. It is inspiring to travel 6,000 miles from Charlotte to reconnect with a highly successful alumnus and hear him describe how his academic experience has contributed to not only his achievements but also the advancement of ideas in Ukraine. Further, also joining us in Lviv was a Ukrainian student, Anastasia, who completed two classes with me in Poznan, Poland, where she was an exchange student during the spring semester. Now, Anastasia and Vova are connected in Ukraine through their shared experiences in my classes, and they will support and encourage each other in the years ahead -- this is what makes teaching great.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vova (middle) joins Robin and me for lunch in the old city district of Lviv, Ukraine. The restaurant is in the courtyard of a former mansion built in Spanish style.</td></tr>
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Lviv is popular tourist destination in western Ukraine, just a 1-hour flight from Warsaw, Poland. The Old City district is packed with cafes, restaurants, magnificent churches, museums, a beautiful opera house and pleasant parks. The center of the market square is the City Hall, and a climb to the top (no small feat!) rewards the intrepid with scenic views of the entire city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical scene in Lviv's Old City.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of City Hall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several impressive castles in Lviv. This one contains an extensive art collection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of countless elaborate church interiors in Lviv.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wall-size painting in one of Lviv's museums depicts the 1410 Battle of Grunwald in Poland. See my previous blog post, which included a visit to the site of the battle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu for this restaurant in Lviv includes no prices. Rather, the bill is negotiated between the waiter and the customer after the meal is completed. It's all done for fun, and the bill we agreed upon was quite reasonable. The food was exceptionally good. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anastasia, one of my Ukrainian exchange students in Poland, joins us for coffee in a unique cafe in Lviv.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Opera House in Lviv</td></tr>
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Reluctantly, I now end this blog series. I hope these posts have stirred your interest in visiting magnificent Poland. Robin and I will most assuredly return often, and we value the extraordinary opportunities we had to spend six months (2012) then ten months (2015/16) in Poznan, thanks to the Fulbright program. The relationships we cultivated are substantive and will benefit both nations in the years ahead. We hope the people whose lives we touched are pleased that our paths crossed. We know that we have been changed forever by the experience. Thank you most kindly for visiting and sharing this blog. As always, do widzenia!</div>
Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-13967988406085682672016-06-28T01:50:00.002-07:002016-07-06T06:06:44.935-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
Classes End, a Mall Takes Shape, Sausages Grill and Poland's Lake District Dazzles</h2>
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With two weeks remaining in my Fulbright appointment to Poland, our schedule seems to become increasingly packed with activities. This post takes you from Poznan to Gniezno (1,000 years ago, Poland's first capital), to Poland's fantastic lake district, called Mazury. We begin with the conclusion of my teaching during this Fulbright fellowship.</div>
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Final Class Presentations</h3>
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In my International Public Relations and Corporate Communication classes, students worked in small groups to complete a final project and class presentation. In International Public Relations, I told students they were account managers with a PR firm in Manchester, England, hired by a multinational company headquartered in Mumbai, India. The fictitious company, a manufacturer of plastic tubing used for cosmetics, toothpaste, etc., was expanding its operations to another country and sought the PR firm's advice and counsel on navigating the cultural and structural communication issues they would face. For example, how would an Indian company launching manufacturing facilities in Chile prepare for internal and external communication challenges: employee management, media relations, social media engagement, community relations, corporate social responsibility, etc.? This required the student groups to research both Indian cultural characteristics and assigned nation cultural characteristics. They also needed to explore media structures, community expectations, and legal and ethical issues related to communication. Each group prepared a detailed report and summarized it in a 15-minute briefing. The in-class presentation scenario assumed that the student group, as the PR firm account team, was addressing the Indian company's CEO and top leadership. The student teams did an exemplary job, demonstrating the knowledge and skill sets they acquired during this semester.</div>
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Similarly, my Corporate Communication student groups were tasked with developing a corporate communication policy document for a real organization of their choice. Student groups needed to address such areas as employee communication with the media, employee use of social media, internal channels of communication including 2-way channels, meeting planning and protocols, recurring communication events, fundamental crisis communication procedures, communication training modules for employees, e-mail protocols, etc. Again, student groups researched and prepared substantive policy documents and presented summary briefings in class. Student groups did a splendid job. As a result, I feel confident these future entrepreneurs and business leaders from Asia and Europe have enhanced their likelihood of success in their professional careers. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Corporate Communication student group representing France, Greece,<br />
Russia and Spain explains its proposed communication policy document.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Corporate Communication group includes students from Portugal and France.</td></tr>
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Touring Central & Eastern Europe's Largest Mall</h3>
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Late last fall, I arranged for my students to tour the construction site of what will be the largest shopping mall ("Galeria" in Polish) in Central & Eastern Europe. <a href="http://posnania.eu/en/" target="_blank">Galeria Poznania</a> (be sure to click on the virtual tour video) will feature more than 100,000 square meters of shopping, dining and entertainment space (roughly 1.1 million square feet) and 3,300 underground parking spaces. Earlier in June, I again arranged for my host university's future entrepreneur student group to tour the facility now that it's approaching completion. About 25 Polish and Ukrainian students joined me for this fascinating experience. The massive construction project presents interesting cultural challenges as the managing company is French while most of the several thousand workers are Polish. Several project leaders, both French and Polish, provided insights into how those cultural challenges are being managed. Donning protective shoes, vests and hard hats, the students spent two hours talking with site managers and exploring the facility rapidly taking shape.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tour began with a briefing from project managers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring the colossal Galeria Poznania covers a lot of territory. Project managers provided <br />
helpful explanations all along the way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guides were a wealth of detailed information and patiently <br />
answered students' questions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, an event such as this demands a group photo.</td></tr>
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<h3>
A Picnic in Gniezno</h3>
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About 45 minutes by train from Poznan is the city of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gniezno" target="_blank">Gniezno</a>, Poland's first capital beginning in the 11th century. It is also where Pastor Richard Nungesser of the church we attend here in Poznan lives with his wife and children. Richard and his wife, Brooke, came to Poznan from Arizona in the United States around 15 years ago. They graciously hosted a picnic for our congregation, bringing together church members from about a dozen countries in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. <a href="http://www.poznan.church/" target="_blank">Poznan International Church</a> provides worship and service opportunities for a congregation including international students, expatriates and Poles. In addition to Sunday worship, Richard and other staff members and volunteers lead an aggressive program of social support to regional communities, especially to the homeless. Of particular merit is PIC's Bread of Life ministry that includes a men's shelter where men dealing with addictions can receive lodging and other support including vocational and life skills training. PIC has been a central part of our time here in Poznan, and we will very much miss our PIC family.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLBuqXPdbES41f9j7Tgu-jSX46OfmLysMQzrd_A6yubTnDkjXdSdwKjWHixjSx7PrpBM8UXiKOxuM2p8VNXWf83jQ-LaC9SB_BccQ47Eh_AgrUv0P1UyO44RM0FWrJlNokiIYUwHW3Hvi/s1600/DSCN1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLBuqXPdbES41f9j7Tgu-jSX46OfmLysMQzrd_A6yubTnDkjXdSdwKjWHixjSx7PrpBM8UXiKOxuM2p8VNXWf83jQ-LaC9SB_BccQ47Eh_AgrUv0P1UyO44RM0FWrJlNokiIYUwHW3Hvi/s400/DSCN1632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Richard Nungesser (center, in orange T-shirt) along with me and a young<br />
man from Ukraine diligently monitor the kielbasa and chicken on the grill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard's wife, Brooke (center, with red eyeglasses) chats with my <br />
wife, Robin, and a young man from Taiwan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three engineering students from India enjoy the U.S.-style picnic <br />
atmosphere and traditional food.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The game of horseshoes is a new experience for PIC members from Great Britain, India and Ukraine.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Poland's Lake District</h3>
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Robin and I spent an extended weekend recently in Mazury, Poland's beautiful lake district. The U.S. state of Minnesota boasts on its licence plates, "Land of 10,000 lakes." Poland's response could be, "Is that all you got?" </div>
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The Mazury and Warmia region is in northeast Poland, directly north of Warsaw. It is dotted with irregularly-shaped lakes, extensive forests and rolling farm fields. Picturesque towns and villages are scattered throughout the region about 20-30 km apart (9-14 miles), and each is home to a castle or two, a magnificent church, ancient walls, scenic rivers and other intriguing features. The area is rich in history including the era of the Teutonic Knights (beginning in the 13th century) through important World War II sites.<br />
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We stayed in the beautiful city of Olsztyn, home not only to a scenic old town area and a verdant riverside park, but also host of an annual country and western music festival -- no kidding. I've included a few photos from our visit here, but the full collection is available here: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/28clofw7176tbsd/AAA8AHzpModMZ_5P_9f8JU2na?dl=0" target="_blank">Olsztyn/Mazury Photos</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt45_lNDkMrN_LIB50HY9NsSb554JD2AC1EI996QVxxlIg1DX7Ois3_7QO4pkQLVtKl-XNOQYD43OA0E3TJuiB8Qf4x9KmaL2Ej65sl2fURGQPdunZzmZXkBBFiMVHviZLr4-idaPOJrW/s1600/DSCN1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt45_lNDkMrN_LIB50HY9NsSb554JD2AC1EI996QVxxlIg1DX7Ois3_7QO4pkQLVtKl-XNOQYD43OA0E3TJuiB8Qf4x9KmaL2Ej65sl2fURGQPdunZzmZXkBBFiMVHviZLr4-idaPOJrW/s400/DSCN1709.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pastoral scene on the shore of one of Mazury's countless lakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from a bridge in Lidzbark Warminski, about 30 km north of Olsztyn,</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lake was just one street from our accommodations in Olsztyn. A pathway around the entire lake offered a 3-mile/5-kilometer walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing the tower of the castle in Reszel, 40 km northeast of Olsztyn, provides this spectacular view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While in Mazury, we visited our Poznan friends Darek and Ola. Their family owns a lake cottage near Olstyn. Here Robin and Ola savor the sunset on the pier in front of their cottage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not far from Olsztyn is the site of the July 15, 1410 Battle of Grunwald, when King Jagiello of Poland and Duke Witold of Lithuania defeated the Teutonic Knights, marking the beginning of the end for that group that had occupied much of what is today Poland. An estimated 45,000 soldiers fought in the battle. The monument above depicts the positions of the various military units on both sides. Visitors can explore the entire, expansive battle ground, virtually unchanged in the 600+ years since the event. </td></tr>
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Many places in Poland boast of their association with the brilliant Polish astronomer Copernicus. As an Air Force navigator (pre-computer, pre-GPS), I learned and used Copernicus's calculations in conducting celestial navigation, so I'm always interested in learning more about him. In Olsztyn, where the genius spent several years, I learned that he was also a lawyer and highly skilled accountant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copernicus and I share a keen interest in the orbital mechanics of celestial bodies. <br />
This is a statue of the astronomer in Olsztyn. Copernicus is on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On display in the Olsztyn castle are a number of Copernicus-related artifacts, including this ledger<br />
in which the astronomer recorded observations and calculations.</td></tr>
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Not far from Olsztyn, near the town of Ketrzyn, is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf%27s_Lair" target="_blank">Wolf's Lair</a>, Hitler's wartime military compound -- the counterpart to the Pentagon in the U.S. Hitler spent about three years on this compound in Nazi occupied Poland (out of reach from Allied bombers), and this is where, in July 1944, there was a nearly successful assassination attempt -- Col. von Stauffenburg placing an attache case with a bomb under the conference table in one of the bunkers. Nearly 5,000 people, alleged conspirators, were executed in the aftermath of the attempt. From Wolf's Lair (Hitler's nickname was Wolf), military orders affecting all fronts were sent. The complex is larger than I had imagined; it was eight square kilometers (nearly 2,000 acres) and included about 80 main structures. The compound was surrounded by minefields and security fencing. Dense woodland and numerous surrounding lakes made any approach extremely difficult. Already existing nearby rail lines permitted delivery of construction materials.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map at the entrance to the Wolf's Lair describes the walking tour.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls of each bunker, including this conference building, were several meters thick. Ceilings were even thicker (eight meters or more than 25 feet) to defend against potential aerial bombardment. The compound is embedded in thick forest, and roofs were covered with grass and shrubbery to conceal the facility from the air. This is the conference building, the site of the attempt on Hitler's life. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: right;">Hitler's top staff lived on the compound with their families. This structure </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: right;">housed the offices of Chief of the Operational Staff Alfred Jodl.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the Soviets approaching from the East in 1945, the Nazi leadership attempted to destroy Wolf''s Lair. Despite using 1,000 pounds of TNT for each bunker, most structures merely cracked in a few places around the outer walls. This breach in the wall illustrates the thickness of the walls. This was Herman Goering's bunker. </td></tr>
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Parting Word</h3>
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Although summer took its good time arriving here, and we've still had chilly spells well into June, last week had most Poles longing for autumn. Temperatures reached the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius). That can be challenging when few buildings are air conditioned, including my office and our apartment.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was last Saturday afternoon.</td></tr>
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The weather quickly turned more seasonable, with temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit (lower 20s Celsius) this week. During the brief hot spell, though, Poznanians made excellent use of some of the city's best features such as the <a href="http://www.termymaltanskie.com.pl/en/" target="_blank">Indoor/Outdoor Waterpark</a>, the Warta River, and Malta Lake. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the temperature tops 90 Fahrenheit (32 Celsius), the grassy shore of Malta Lake is a fine place to spend Saturday afternoon. This is a 20-minute walk from our apartment.</td></tr>
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As always, thank you for visiting my blog. With a lot of preparation to do before we depart in two weeks, I'll probably have time for just one or two more short posts. In the meantime, do widzenia!</div>
Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-32686442200442500352016-06-06T03:56:00.000-07:002016-06-06T05:13:10.308-07:00A Conference, A Visitor, A Trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This edition of my blog from Poznan finds us with about five weeks remaining in our 10-month stay here. Activities are not diminishing in the least. In fact, we seem to be picking up the pace a bit.<br />
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Last month, I participated in a conference in Opole, about three hours by train south of Poznan. It's a small and beautiful city on the Oder River and home to a university focusing on nursing, physical therapy and related health professions. This was a medically-themed conference exploring strategies for strengthening research grant proposals. I spoke about a project my UNC Charlotte home department, Communication Studies, has been involved with for several years -- persuading people to stop putting cooking grease down kitchen drains. Sounds like a minor issue, I know, but resulting sewer pipe blockages cost North Carolina and other states millions in repairs every year. It's a public health issue as well as an environmental issue, and changing people's behavior to address the problem requires a comprehensive, strategic communication approach. Consequently, I spoke at the conference about including a communication component in public health-related grant applications. I also included possibilities of incorporating experiential learning, service learning and community engagement components, as we have done with the grease disposal campaign in North Carolina.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The logo for the conference in Opole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In addition to my individual presentation, I served on a panel discussion addressing early academic career challenges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Jacek Koziel, a professor with Iowa State University and a Fulbright Scholar serving in Wroclaw, Poland, also participated in the Opole conference. Here we are conferring between sessions. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZZYWIQScBZEJG6YSo4_c7fVSAa45lWxLaQvqrdpksgADq2gfVnckGYZhudplF_qzX6tBLbXNPoDsK2AuCGrB9Aq8D3v3ks9DgEdao-TkSVdTfkX4NP1p6hS3yPtRxtQmTiH1KtV1_1Fi/s1600/Group+at+Windmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZZYWIQScBZEJG6YSo4_c7fVSAa45lWxLaQvqrdpksgADq2gfVnckGYZhudplF_qzX6tBLbXNPoDsK2AuCGrB9Aq8D3v3ks9DgEdao-TkSVdTfkX4NP1p6hS3yPtRxtQmTiH1KtV1_1Fi/s640/Group+at+Windmill.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The conference schedule permitted a bit of touring one afternoon. Here a number of participants, representing, I believe, four countries, tour an open-air museum in Opole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My presentation on communication's role in changing behaviors related to public health issues.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Classes and Guest Lectures Continue</h3>
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My colleagues at UNC Charlotte completed classes a month ago, but the semester agenda here still has two weeks of classes remaining. Additionally, I continue to be offered great opportunities for guest lectures. Most recently, I spoke to a student organization of future business leaders about the critical importance of communication as a leadership skill. I addressed the need for organizational leaders to cultivate a culture of open communication and strategies to engender that culture. My hope is that these aspiring Polish CEO's will help amplify Poland's considerable economic progress in the years ahead.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncygWkiW-s2NIIDFBibmFZlAjyphkBa8dnmkvb1aUzon2sUAppayDO9mPi29noRrEusGjziWqq9q-JCiPa2C9nYu9evUjUxnDax2a8P1HIT-Bns-mSekGNTeVFVJUkxYrPfkmXxRLBkhJ/s1600/DSCN1430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncygWkiW-s2NIIDFBibmFZlAjyphkBa8dnmkvb1aUzon2sUAppayDO9mPi29noRrEusGjziWqq9q-JCiPa2C9nYu9evUjUxnDax2a8P1HIT-Bns-mSekGNTeVFVJUkxYrPfkmXxRLBkhJ/s400/DSCN1430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guest lecture on communication as a vital leadership skill.</td></tr>
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<h3>
A Visit to Wrocław</h3>
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One of Poland's most beautiful cities, and the EU 2016 European Capital of Culture, is Wrocław, about two hours south of Poznan by train. This gem, left largely destroyed at the end of the Second World War, has become one of Europe's must-see destinations. A magnificent city square, fascinating architecture, pastoral river banks, and spacious parks provide a superb example of Poland's well-advanced transition. Robin and I spent a recent long weekend in Wrocław and consider it one of our best trips ever. A chance encounter on a train a few weeks earlier connected us with Agnieszka, who recently completed her master's degree in Wrocław (the city boasts several highly regarded universities). She insisted on providing a walking tour of her city during our visit, and she proved a highly knowledgeable guide. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stary Rynek (old market square) in <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnieszka knew all the quirky corners of <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The indoor market in <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6ISZ19WPdVHls58fE7IcK_Zm6MgGSO87xaQSgvZjuI78dYV-BuJ6YV6SoyTVfK6Ll7oZOZ4C3sjHQeqMmLW-S_Amh9Ty_RT6slsL1jPiH2D2ClsS2q8b-Tz5STHaJ13TF1sP55ZREJG-/s1600/DSCN1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6ISZ19WPdVHls58fE7IcK_Zm6MgGSO87xaQSgvZjuI78dYV-BuJ6YV6SoyTVfK6Ll7oZOZ4C3sjHQeqMmLW-S_Amh9Ty_RT6slsL1jPiH2D2ClsS2q8b-Tz5STHaJ13TF1sP55ZREJG-/s400/DSCN1496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the season for delicious white asparagus here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many fantastic views along the Oder River in <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of a university building in <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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One of the features of Wrocław are the bronze gnomes found throughout the city. It's sort of a treasure hunt to find the tiny, unexpected statues, cleverly crafted to reflect the location. You have to keep your eyes peeled.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a gnome on the sidewalk in front of a library.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here's one on the river bank. This gnome is washing clothes in the river.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlkKtTLBnJ99DhXDLkYqzw1CVEmHojGisPreLrlfSHklDfxYLodYDqU-dR36-m4GPJugGhyphenhyphenZUiJhZbX7XsnCDPufcEpULVINNwRJy9yEXsOuy50fV0Oyhj0DVk0eVEdtzfa7mzR2uj2E2/s1600/DSCN1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlkKtTLBnJ99DhXDLkYqzw1CVEmHojGisPreLrlfSHklDfxYLodYDqU-dR36-m4GPJugGhyphenhyphenZUiJhZbX7XsnCDPufcEpULVINNwRJy9yEXsOuy50fV0Oyhj0DVk0eVEdtzfa7mzR2uj2E2/s400/DSCN1515.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gnome sits on a window ledge of a former prison.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The serene and manicured Japanese Garden in <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Wrocław.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fellow Fulbrighter Dr. Jacek Koziel (Iowa State University) and his wife, Elizabeth, graciously invited Robin and me to join their family for dinner in their Wroclaw apartment.</td></tr>
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For many more photos of our trip, here's the link to the Dropbox album:</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rdlsyyl01jftvy5/AAB-HIan4cE9x8D2xHfJyjmxa?dl=0" target="_blank">Photos of Wroclaw</a></li>
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If you'd just like to see a few short videos of musical groups performing traditional Polish songs on the Stary Rynek in Wroclaw, here are links:</div>
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<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/m3urcfcdmbqghwc/DSCN1454.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">Video One</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/1ewjcib726em3qm/DSCN1455.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">Video Two</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3iv6yhsq8a05nb8/DSCN1460.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">Video Three </a></li>
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
A Visitor from Milwaukee</h3>
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Robin and I were delighted to welcome my cousin Ken from our hometown of Milwaukee, who spent a week with us in Poznan. He had visited Poland previously, but not Poznan, and he found the city as enjoyable as do we. We pushed him pretty hard during his few days here, but he never faltered, taking in many of Poznan's key sites. We were so glad to have family join us on this great adventure. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMw7T-RU-IDmd2pLfA4geUojvB4FKTIXlyAT6bYTpiaSwNW1Qyr1jzdWsw_VmF1bAvq9v-WuhJZIUUkDFGwZQ0zAusYlRm85mUoY4-92JgYUHvbuykLhB74Pd1EjgKz6IRbap1H0f1co3/s1600/DSCN1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMw7T-RU-IDmd2pLfA4geUojvB4FKTIXlyAT6bYTpiaSwNW1Qyr1jzdWsw_VmF1bAvq9v-WuhJZIUUkDFGwZQ0zAusYlRm85mUoY4-92JgYUHvbuykLhB74Pd1EjgKz6IRbap1H0f1co3/s400/DSCN1578.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We called again upon our Polish friend Monika (right) to lead a walking tour of Poznan. On the tour are Jackie (left), wife of another U.S. Fulbright professor teaching here in Poznan (he's from Appalachian State University), my cousin Ken, and my wife, Robin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, checking the photos he took of the park in front of the Poznan Opera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, a physician in Milwaukee, is also a highly accomplished organist. He very much enjoyed the concert in Poznan's Baroque Fara Church of St. Stanislaus. The church presents organ concerts each Saturday just after noon. </td></tr>
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Time for me to get back to preparing final exams! Thanks, as always, for your visit to my blog. If you haven't yet visited Poland, I hope these posts are stimulating your desire to do so. Do widzenia!</div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-54199829183734396992016-05-07T04:43:00.001-07:002016-06-06T04:02:14.268-07:00Departure Rapidly Approaching and a Visit to Dolny Śląsk<br />
<h2>
Departure Rapidly Approaching and a Visit to Dolny Śląsk</h2>
Just two months remain in our 10-month stay in Poznan, Poland. As we ponder with mixed emotions our return to Charlotte, North Carolina, the weather has turned spectacular. It has not been a difficult winter, just a dreary one in terms of weather -- generally chilly, damp, blustery and gray with just two real "cold snaps." The greening of the trees and the blossoming of the early flowers is rapidly turning Poznan and the rest of Poland into a stunningly beautiful scene.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have not seen a forecast like this since September -- eight months ago!</span></td></tr>
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My regular classes (International Public Relations and Corporate Communication) are moving forward with deliberate speed, and my students seem to appreciate the value of the knowledge and skills they're acquiring. I also continue to conduct regular guest lectures, such as a recent half-day seminar with graduate students on the topic of communication research methods. This was the third time I've led this graduate seminar since joining the Poznan University of Economics faculty, so I rewarded the students for their endurance by presenting them each a UNC Charlotte T-shirt. They quickly donned the shirts and posed for the photo below.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Graduate students model their UNC Charlotte T-shirts. Several students had to leave a bit early and missed out on the photo.</span></td></tr>
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One of my roles as a Fulbrighter is to encourage other academics to pursue this great opportunity. This is a good time for my academic colleagues to think seriously about applying for a fellowship. The program is administered by the <a href="http://www.cies.org/">Council for International Exchange of Scholars</a>, and its website is the place to begin. The application deadline for the U.S. Scholar core program is August 1. The application preparation process can be a long slog, so starting now is appropriate. I would be delighted to provide advice and counsel to any of my colleagues considering this program. I have several initial tips:<br />
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<li>Seek an appointment to an institution with which you have established a professional connection. I first visited my current host institution in 2005 as keynote speaker for a conference. That initiated dialogue, and I was awarded my first Fulbright appointment here in 2012. I continued nurturing that relationship and earned a second appointment for the 2015/16 academic year now drawing to a close. The relationship has resulted in numerous publications and presentations, and one scholar from my host institution made a return visit to my home university for a conference in 2013. My sense is that an ongoing, growing and productive academic relationship appeals to Fulbright application reviewers.</li>
<li>Obtain strong letters of support (required in the application package) from people well placed to know your qualities as well as the aims of the Fulbright program. My letters came from my Provost, the former president of the U.S. Fulbright Association, and the former president of the Public Relations Society of America as well as the former chair of The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. I firmly believe that this impressive list of endorsers set my application apart.</li>
<li>Be sure to have a fairly detailed letter of invitation from your proposed host institution, and it should come from the highest levels. Mine came from the "Pro-Rector" of the university -- equivalent of a vice chancellor or vice president. It specifically described the activities in which I would engage during my appointment and argued persuasively for the value I would bring.</li>
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Please contact me if you'd like to discuss your thoughts about applying for a Fulbright. Note on the CIES website that programs are available for other professionals as well as scholars and that length of appointment is variable from a few weeks to a full academic year.<br />
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I have often included in my blog posts photos of concerts we've attended, and this entry is no exception. A few weeks ago, we attended a superb performance of Verdi's Requiem. With a full orchestra and chorus, plus four gifted soloists, it was a deeply moving evening. The cost, as always at the Academy of Music -- free.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A full orchestra, full chorus and soloists perform Verdi's Requiem in the Aula Nova of the Academy of Music.</span></td></tr>
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A Visit to Dolny Śląsk</h3>
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</span></span>Dolny Śląsk (don't worry about pronunciation, non-Polish speakers!) is the Polish term for Lower Silesia, a region in southwest Poland. Its main city is Wrocław (roughly pronounced "VRAHTZ-wahv"). It's composed of several modest mountain ranges, beautiful rivers and streams (including the Oder River), countless picturesque villages and towns, and rich farmland. Robin and I spent several days during a recent long holiday weekend exploring the many sites in this lesser known but spectacular region of Poland. Historical sites expose the fascinating history of the region from the period of the Piast dynasty that began in the tenth century through extraordinary Nazi underground construction projects begun during the Second World War. With minimal narrative, what follows is a photographic summary of our experience. For a more complete photo record, visit our <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dic1yixwqtzytto/AAATGnQtQ8vSOtqh2McADUkWa?dl=0">Dropbox site</a> (brace yourself -- more than 180 photos and short videos!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfZdq3tIGUCHSuGYq1DwMjAKd0vU1GiA7G5QR7d-ZSf72HSDej4iQRtxjxI6cDPHpPw-zVem3-_rAHR7s0EOrpm0kSiZldjaBiCaUXoyqe1dYpxg2K1UMyWmqWz8PQ8Cf2jkcUVBs11YB/s1600/Villa+Elizabet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfZdq3tIGUCHSuGYq1DwMjAKd0vU1GiA7G5QR7d-ZSf72HSDej4iQRtxjxI6cDPHpPw-zVem3-_rAHR7s0EOrpm0kSiZldjaBiCaUXoyqe1dYpxg2K1UMyWmqWz8PQ8Cf2jkcUVBs11YB/s400/Villa+Elizabet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We anchored our visit to Lower Silesia in the small village of <span style="color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bolków, staying in this hotel, a former convent.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bolków Castle, built in the 13th century.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYw_rynq6iYskMTEvXcMKdqBMZeIpavpPGnjLsowIqUMiXAkiC_Vl3VGtxLiS9zvIGOfhSGxv6kF7oMh7O7r79oSuHZGf_jHJOJ4pj4TM0pNdh0O9_hZT3JTZ-xzgjBEuMGBC4f0WMVHN/s1600/View+from+Bolkow+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYw_rynq6iYskMTEvXcMKdqBMZeIpavpPGnjLsowIqUMiXAkiC_Vl3VGtxLiS9zvIGOfhSGxv6kF7oMh7O7r79oSuHZGf_jHJOJ4pj4TM0pNdh0O9_hZT3JTZ-xzgjBEuMGBC4f0WMVHN/s640/View+from+Bolkow+Castle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">View from a high tower in Bolków Castle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just three kilometers from <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bolków is </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.870588); line-height: 36px; text-align: left;">Świny</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #252525;">, the site of the ruins of a 16th century castle.</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A third castle we visited in the region is Grodno Castle, built in 1193, reachable by following a 1-kilometer trail up a steep hill in the village of Zagórze Śląskie. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A feature of Grodno Castle is its "torture room," displaying various items that challenge the imagination.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The young lady on the left, posing with Robin and me, is the owner and manager of a small shop in <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;">Bolków, </span>selling ice cream, coffee and kebabs. In my view, she illustrates several important points. One is the entrepreneurial spirit and dedicated work ethic of Poles. On our first visit, we asked for coffee and a piece of cake. The coffee was no problem, but she had no cake. Immediately, she dispatched her daughter to the nearby bakery for two pieces of cake -- she is a problem solver and is customer focused. This is the spirit I think bodes well for Poland's future. Second, she spoke no English, but my German and Polish seemed to work well for us. When I told her, though (in Polish) that we were not German but rather U.S. Americans, she was very excited and explained that we were the first Americans she had met and the first to visit her shop -- hence the need to pose for photos. The encounter reminds us of the public diplomacy role we play not only as Fulbrighters but simply as U.S. American tourists. This was our one chance to make a first and lasting impression. We need to take these opportunities seriously.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the Cistercian Abbey in <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Krzeszów. The monastery was established in 1242, and the Baroque abbey was constructed in the mid-18th century. For a short video tour of the interior, click on this <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykttu3tad4io5w9/DSCN1309.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">Dropbox link</a>. </span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The central square in the town of <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Świdnica is typical of the the beautiful settings in many Polish cities.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhasdwp49x3NyO3ZmKtW9uFh092YTPRla3zvpXYGYFkh4IAJhhBa1vI_0OHZICk_Yyt-qjYPy4LKbcPvvnSfYzqwLjImXbiuXkxJBIQcN6HM0lL6My2mLcbXL3HEqspJcPTsMr7HlFd0d_/s1600/Swidnica+Holy+Trinity+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhasdwp49x3NyO3ZmKtW9uFh092YTPRla3zvpXYGYFkh4IAJhhBa1vI_0OHZICk_Yyt-qjYPy4LKbcPvvnSfYzqwLjImXbiuXkxJBIQcN6HM0lL6My2mLcbXL3HEqspJcPTsMr7HlFd0d_/s640/Swidnica+Holy+Trinity+Church.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Holy Trinity Church in Świdnica, built in the 17th century using only wood, clay, sand and straw. For a short video tour of the interior, click on this <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/eqa43roo1pnbg4r/DSCN1388.MOV?dl=0">Dropbox link</a>. </span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">By far the most impressive site we saw is Książ Castle near Wałbrzych. It would be impossible for an amateur photographer like me to capture its grandeur, so I include just a couple of my photos; I recommend visiting the </span><a href="http://www.en.ksiaz.walbrzych.pl/image-gallery.html">photo gallery</a> on the castle's website. <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="line-height: normal;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghDdKJztfzkMQcqDz7rTxEIYLkltzlphewoaOm15_884s3FrbDY51nUz9kR8qgMHYwXARHMTWg7JDMakg9pb1RtewsFz4veb9o0cOkR2c_waxYrcD2PBeJ2dvUWoC03iwNVsfztlcLPl2/s1600/Approaching+Ksiaz+Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghDdKJztfzkMQcqDz7rTxEIYLkltzlphewoaOm15_884s3FrbDY51nUz9kR8qgMHYwXARHMTWg7JDMakg9pb1RtewsFz4veb9o0cOkR2c_waxYrcD2PBeJ2dvUWoC03iwNVsfztlcLPl2/s400/Approaching+Ksiaz+Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Approaching <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8168px;">Książ Castle entrance.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the ornate rooms in </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16.8168px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Książ Castle</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span></span></td></tr>
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</span></span>Several sites we visited pertained to World War II. Among them were the Arado underground aircraft factory (owing to Allied bombing raids, Hitler directed that much of the Nazi manufacturing sector be moved underground) and the early stages of a complete underground city, left uncompleted at the end of the war. In this and other planned underground cities, Hitler expected to locate the top leaders and scientists. Plans called for self-sustaining underground cities that included rail access, living quarters, offices, and all facilities, equipment and capabilities needed to survive for long periods under siege.<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div style="line-height: normal;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The entrance to the Arado underground aircraft factory.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The underground facilities also provided hiding places for looted art.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awaiting our tour near the entrance to one of the partially constructed underground Nazi cities.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF4eA4kmrjmYrGay98yw_fg8rxji_tMWpIermXBdhjbqyTcc9DLHkAAIKu4prZDjr1DuoJ_r9PzZ3JsXruc2g00SG9-A-GTdZlw3x3VP8GPZt6CpcRtiRD2bwZm_-vcPjVIpYKI0hb4oM/s1600/Arado+Nazi+soldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF4eA4kmrjmYrGay98yw_fg8rxji_tMWpIermXBdhjbqyTcc9DLHkAAIKu4prZDjr1DuoJ_r9PzZ3JsXruc2g00SG9-A-GTdZlw3x3VP8GPZt6CpcRtiRD2bwZm_-vcPjVIpYKI0hb4oM/s400/Arado+Nazi+soldier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actors realistically portray Nazi officials in the underground facilities.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The size and extent of the Nazi underground facilities is difficult to comprehend. Caves extend for miles, built by slave labor. A few areas are finished with concrete, ventilation tunnels, cable runs, etc. Estimates are that it would have taken several more years of intensive labor to complete some of the projects. Plans even called for prototype nuclear power plants.</span></td></tr>
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</span></span>The last event I'll leave you with will be a re-enactment of a World War II skirmish involving Nazi forces against U.S. and British attackers. The scenario, if I understood it correctly, was an attempt by Nazi troops to transport and conceal looted treasures. The re-enactment was carried out in the village square in Bolków, where we were staying. Many Poles engage regularly in these enactments, portraying military engagements from all periods of the nation's remarkable history. Often, larger re-enactments involve tanks, aircraft, other military vehicles and weapons, and even cavalry charges on horseback. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xlUQS6xARv0dIljnBXmV0aniCkcgQmm2is2KlkQOjhF1m6c8IZWaQWuFzDCvERF3Evtot8N0WAMfXbyWiqmfVygRBS50cwme8G-_fdlXQdszLvBWb2X4r4lxJpVbwKZogbsv1wNEkFSN/s1600/WWII+Re-enactment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xlUQS6xARv0dIljnBXmV0aniCkcgQmm2is2KlkQOjhF1m6c8IZWaQWuFzDCvERF3Evtot8N0WAMfXbyWiqmfVygRBS50cwme8G-_fdlXQdszLvBWb2X4r4lxJpVbwKZogbsv1wNEkFSN/s400/WWII+Re-enactment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">WWII Nazi re-enactors prepare for the skirmish while a film crew captures the action.</span></td></tr>
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To view a short video capturing the peak moments of the re-enactment, click on this <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/55xbr365n7efzz9/DSCN1340.MOV?dl=0">Dropbox link</a>. To get the full effect, hook your viewing device to several stadium speakers and turn the volume up full.<br />
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That's enough for today. I'm departing on Wednesday for three days in Opole, Poland, where I will be speaking at a medical conference. That's an unusual venue for a public relations professor, but I'll explain it in my next post, and it will make sense. In the meantime, thanks for your visit to my blog, and do widzenia!</div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-60761443449295405472016-04-13T06:02:00.001-07:002016-06-06T04:02:30.727-07:00Visitors, a Somber Site, a Spirited Gathering, a Trip, and Signs of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
Visitors, a Somber Site, a Spirited Gathering, a Trip, and Signs of Spring</h2>
<h3>
Visitors from Charlotte</h3>
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Good friends Dean and Leigh Williams from Charlotte, North Carolina, arrived recently to experience a bit of Poznan and Poland for themselves. As is often the case, even an ambitious schedule of activities permits only a cursory exploration of this great city and fascinating country. We began with a walking tour of Poznan under the guidance of friend and Poznan native Monika who provided detailed historical context for the many significant sites in the city. In fact, 5-6 hours of touring served only to whet our appetite to learn more.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeHovPHobJDBqlEOEgVQUKKAhrFSzcnLm1CG4q1nsVY2kILhMYu3rAxmXWMlO_5m2QKTzzZjSZGDOFF-rkdlPFcomUEFGxgGgpLeK9-RotRC40iRhU-kWttI0YTweZz_HJ2_yh6t8JwDU/s1600/Model+of+Poznan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeHovPHobJDBqlEOEgVQUKKAhrFSzcnLm1CG4q1nsVY2kILhMYu3rAxmXWMlO_5m2QKTzzZjSZGDOFF-rkdlPFcomUEFGxgGgpLeK9-RotRC40iRhU-kWttI0YTweZz_HJ2_yh6t8JwDU/s400/Model+of+Poznan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide, Monika, explains the architecture of Poznan's "Stary Rynek" (Old Market Square) to Dean and Leigh Williams, visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina. The model is actually intended for the blind so they can experience the beauty of the square around them through touch. Next to each building in the model is a Braille explanation of its significance.</td></tr>
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We visited and paid our respects at one of Poznan's less frequented spots -- Fort VII. The fortification, built in the latter half of the 19th century, was one of a string of forts designed to defend the city from attack. Poznan was then part of Prussia. The site is far more prominent now because, tragically, from 1939-1944, Fort VII became a Nazi concentration camp. As a Gestapo prison, the fortress's name became "Security Police Prison and Correctional Labor Camp." Its informal name, though, was "a camp of bloody revenge." It became the largest Nazi camp for the extermination of Polish elites in the region. Prisoners/victims were largely the intelligentsia: professors and teachers; political and social leaders; veterans of several uprisings; anyone suspected of underground activitiy; and members of the clergy. The Nazis referred to this as "political cleansing." Jews were also interred here and were forced to dig up and burn bodies buried in mass graves around Poznan; this was to cover up Nazi crimes. As many as 40,000 prisoners were held here, and estimates are that 4,500 were murdered or died in prison. There is much more to say about this place of horror, but I will not dwell on it here. If you wish, you may learn more here: <a href="http://www.poznan.pl/mim/turystyka/en/fort-vii-colomb,p,37,3382,5553.html" target="_blank">Fort VII Poznan</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtCyD-kqTP8lr3ewighoGCrFGo2whrlxVYp0dSwhAcy4AhaqEMNHKFIayAcl8vs1l0V2tA_coBYt_nUMS006UjngZZRjBz6JSQxhcp68yMR8_l8BT9-Wz2gzIrrUmUcRh6zfYq85ojVwC/s1600/Fort+VII+-+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtCyD-kqTP8lr3ewighoGCrFGo2whrlxVYp0dSwhAcy4AhaqEMNHKFIayAcl8vs1l0V2tA_coBYt_nUMS006UjngZZRjBz6JSQxhcp68yMR8_l8BT9-Wz2gzIrrUmUcRh6zfYq85ojVwC/s400/Fort+VII+-+Sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ominous description of Fort VII's notorious past.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWkqarNJLunccBNAUlEvw-9WKqLzNsPA9bHcY9cXeOs8fhHi7LammKG4BN_0GRYEedBU4resrM-mEFn1qBRkuGiJM2dHxSGrUBlEkCx7RX-NouGpt2blPDWxXeUWsZ6T9ExcP0JcY7coR/s1600/Fort+VII+-+3+Bunkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWkqarNJLunccBNAUlEvw-9WKqLzNsPA9bHcY9cXeOs8fhHi7LammKG4BN_0GRYEedBU4resrM-mEFn1qBRkuGiJM2dHxSGrUBlEkCx7RX-NouGpt2blPDWxXeUWsZ6T9ExcP0JcY7coR/s400/Fort+VII+-+3+Bunkers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort VII's network of bunkers and ramparts was originally used to support defensive gun emplacements. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XRUDkrg5SnxKojrhbVaArFYB-MxlNnE4aRtP_3b6wnznf5Gm4_7hzPMBDX9t3erzv-fTiH11iWvZqAhv4Bn9ugc7itEEl6FawMDZ1nrzguaIQ1ZikEnzGlaUb9gVQzSPVDNDe4C8mZYh/s1600/Fort+VII+-+Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9XRUDkrg5SnxKojrhbVaArFYB-MxlNnE4aRtP_3b6wnznf5Gm4_7hzPMBDX9t3erzv-fTiH11iWvZqAhv4Bn9ugc7itEEl6FawMDZ1nrzguaIQ1ZikEnzGlaUb9gVQzSPVDNDe4C8mZYh/s400/Fort+VII+-+Entrance.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to a bunker, used by the Nazis to house prisoners.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A memorial in one of the prisoner cells notes the names of some of those murdered in Fort VII from 1939-1944. As many as 200 prisoners were housed in a single cell.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFnuVAbSTqWTV1cxDmDSotMjQ8ciwgIfTRiMdzFN8ExFC3ggrsuWPkeFsmfVVjR33JF_HJckTFLoGqkpmOnaAjyNrglDSQqzzUhPFUl8LKc6iZeqUC5WaoRBjQhcqcs5wTp_F8kQWi6L/s1600/Fort+VII+-+Statues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFnuVAbSTqWTV1cxDmDSotMjQ8ciwgIfTRiMdzFN8ExFC3ggrsuWPkeFsmfVVjR33JF_HJckTFLoGqkpmOnaAjyNrglDSQqzzUhPFUl8LKc6iZeqUC5WaoRBjQhcqcs5wTp_F8kQWi6L/s400/Fort+VII+-+Statues.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculptures memorialize the victims.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF3UNp6nwQCOGqI9zm_d_5i-M3Ac5UqHLGgvSZwKv-aKA77xRSt6rFXRRyny5BiuF3myt0TVX4NO7Q-_n1HMvmiyL9yBaBdHfhwY0Xl1OB855TzrmYU5Y03zaPE0AKIVnCKXehaPlGWiz/s1600/Fort+VII+-+Shooting+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivF3UNp6nwQCOGqI9zm_d_5i-M3Ac5UqHLGgvSZwKv-aKA77xRSt6rFXRRyny5BiuF3myt0TVX4NO7Q-_n1HMvmiyL9yBaBdHfhwY0Xl1OB855TzrmYU5Y03zaPE0AKIVnCKXehaPlGWiz/s400/Fort+VII+-+Shooting+Wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Against this wall, prisoners were shot to death. A few bullet holes are still visible at upper right, though a wooden wall was erected behind the condemned prisoners to prevent ricochets. </td></tr>
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Turning to more pleasant topics, we have put our visitors to work during their all-to-brief stay in Poznan. Dean provided a guest lecture to more than 50 students at the Poznan University of Economics. His topic was "Potential, Passion and Purpose - Finding a Fulfilling and Impactful Life." The overflow group of students learned from Dean techniques for finding a place in life that reflects the intersection of potential to excel, passion for vocation, and clear, transformative purpose. Dean also spoke to a gathering of university students from our church at our home one evening. The students represented a litany of countries: Belgium, the Bahamas, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Canada and the Netherlands. The students are united by their faith and meet regularly for discussion, study and recreation. We were honored to host this gathering.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean Williams about to speak to 50+ Polish students at the Poznan University of Economics.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students were intently interested in Dean Williams' insights.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean employs a student volunteer to demonstrate the relationship between balance and focus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xs7A_ofRRw8fAUdgZI9A45D6-tcAnai0Bo7vDOJdvXyRQs8aacW2AV7fwphiHyIdcqh7e3uuW5SyuNaloNkdrBvLVQzSRYmtQNyPzzccFMcRtp4WTnbNNlLv80eMAoyx2iFxen2Y64sC/s1600/FOF+-+Clowning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xs7A_ofRRw8fAUdgZI9A45D6-tcAnai0Bo7vDOJdvXyRQs8aacW2AV7fwphiHyIdcqh7e3uuW5SyuNaloNkdrBvLVQzSRYmtQNyPzzccFMcRtp4WTnbNNlLv80eMAoyx2iFxen2Y64sC/s640/FOF+-+Clowning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gathering in our Poznan apartment of university students from our church here. The nine people in the foreground represent nine countries. Robin and Leigh are in the background, left, preparing a buffet supper for the group.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCziJOoBK3PHNynPyhMZd4k2elDMdA1Cyl_GgfA7usDvAfzdy_McwPB6R0bda9P-aTqhqdhwgbuee1yinBR2yaQGpcLDLV8Q28339N9FIK49rEIErZuoya-9XftY4uilMvatX-ql1H5GFB/s1600/FOF+-+Dean+Talk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCziJOoBK3PHNynPyhMZd4k2elDMdA1Cyl_GgfA7usDvAfzdy_McwPB6R0bda9P-aTqhqdhwgbuee1yinBR2yaQGpcLDLV8Q28339N9FIK49rEIErZuoya-9XftY4uilMvatX-ql1H5GFB/s400/FOF+-+Dean+Talk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dean shared his advice and counsel with the students.</td></tr>
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This upcoming Saturday, Leigh Williams will join my wife, Robin, in helping to lead a ladies' retreat planned and organized by our church here. The half-day retreat will be held in the cathedral in nearby Gniezno, Poland, the first capital of the country and the place where just over 1,000 years ago, Christianity was introduced to what was then a loose alliance of Polish tribes. </div>
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<h3>
Quick Trip to Malta</h3>
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Robin and I recently took advantage of a few days' Easter break and inexpensive flights between Poznan and the Mediterranean island nation of Malta. The 3-hour flight took us to a country we had not previously visited. We were enthralled with the history of this important island, just 17 x 9 miles (27 x 14.5 km) and with a population under a half million. The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked here nearly 1,000 years ago (see Acts 28). Paul met with the Roman governor, and the Maltese credit that encounter with introducing Christianity to the island. Today, Malta is home to a vast collection of magnificent churches.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyyBJpaG_yM3bcyCKptiFsg7miOBKm6FBexwU1jser6jN5OSPcp442LSgYz9fTzFqH4snagwih0aUkz-sOLEcjzazYcBp49hUc-3BmivSAK2Ma8d8xC2TlzLrpu91qJEMNGpnE0h5-tBU/s1600/Malta+-+Balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyyBJpaG_yM3bcyCKptiFsg7miOBKm6FBexwU1jser6jN5OSPcp442LSgYz9fTzFqH4snagwih0aUkz-sOLEcjzazYcBp49hUc-3BmivSAK2Ma8d8xC2TlzLrpu91qJEMNGpnE0h5-tBU/s400/Malta+-+Balcony.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel balcony in Malta.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C_YwS7NuqnK5HZ276LHQrOYTl-wd7Vgig_i_FE2drx_8oBWHCWXQBuav66TzBv_a40NDsT8LlqUrp-s_z-q_fnVXNfYB08uBiwU0YQAUUoMxUaOraFCqJ__XSd9Fhd21tjfiI9fRKie4/s1600/Malta+-+Twilight+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C_YwS7NuqnK5HZ276LHQrOYTl-wd7Vgig_i_FE2drx_8oBWHCWXQBuav66TzBv_a40NDsT8LlqUrp-s_z-q_fnVXNfYB08uBiwU0YQAUUoMxUaOraFCqJ__XSd9Fhd21tjfiI9fRKie4/s640/Malta+-+Twilight+Dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A twilight dinner on our first evening in Malta.</td></tr>
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The famous Knights of Malta in the 16th century withstood a siege by the Ottoman Empire and continued to rule until defeated by Napoleon in 1798. The Knights, descendants of the Order of Saint John the Baptist, were "Hospitallers" and constructed a highly advanced hospital on Malta (Sacra Infermeria) around 1574 with a capacity of more than 600 beds. Exceptional for the time, the hospital accepted women, slaves and non-Catholics.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuNpnBp7oAEcxtsDhNpvJtTj8EGHEH05oItvUtZ9V12YQLp-qz052j1M9JCtrcMw0zJiOXHQmgiIGglPh-liaKEEjz-x4A83embpSP-MuznGiQ8m-E6JpBvdyQXmmxmChzfNxMHUO2KWN/s1600/Malta+-+Coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuNpnBp7oAEcxtsDhNpvJtTj8EGHEH05oItvUtZ9V12YQLp-qz052j1M9JCtrcMw0zJiOXHQmgiIGglPh-liaKEEjz-x4A83embpSP-MuznGiQ8m-E6JpBvdyQXmmxmChzfNxMHUO2KWN/s400/Malta+-+Coast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful but rugged coastline characterizes most of the island.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa9mbTHVTpvR3T6h_Zk-W6422ynvuFvCifv0gsJFF_zQ3UuRgV52AMhjbfI4mDXUHdbAZ420XLD0ptEmMe4roeXK2jkaKA636QG2_5EatBo0gY8aydWfkIqYGAGwHXSQbSYAyKrLUI53y/s1600/Malta+-+Hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa9mbTHVTpvR3T6h_Zk-W6422ynvuFvCifv0gsJFF_zQ3UuRgV52AMhjbfI4mDXUHdbAZ420XLD0ptEmMe4roeXK2jkaKA636QG2_5EatBo0gY8aydWfkIqYGAGwHXSQbSYAyKrLUI53y/s400/Malta+-+Hospital.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This 16th century hospital was ahead of its time in medical innovation. The former hospital now hosts receptions and is a popular tour destination.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl92fgEIIAbVSNNWuW0fTWSZd8kvSEo3yhwTUATLIyYJKpquNj1PjoEwP6beJWrL4OfXZbXl5Xnaz2mhOACYCPx6C11MgULuLDo3bZuL8NRsulxi2Bk3AK7SiyoveMVIGS_K7l9hl66zN/s1600/Malta+-+Valletta+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjl92fgEIIAbVSNNWuW0fTWSZd8kvSEo3yhwTUATLIyYJKpquNj1PjoEwP6beJWrL4OfXZbXl5Xnaz2mhOACYCPx6C11MgULuLDo3bZuL8NRsulxi2Bk3AK7SiyoveMVIGS_K7l9hl66zN/s400/Malta+-+Valletta+Cafe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pleasant cafe in the Maltese capital of Valletta.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKY7QODqifi6iOmHyApGwQSOnKfghyNjRC_4LM1Zw2QVPVVDAewyXHGwkTPbMAgZfwsK8R90lvQxDDaLz3bKdl7dn0JnKrNZxJwdKx4a-LJ5NJTjTA1rO13RGUQFFtlxM95yGKmorv8Cr/s1600/Malta+-+Narrow+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKY7QODqifi6iOmHyApGwQSOnKfghyNjRC_4LM1Zw2QVPVVDAewyXHGwkTPbMAgZfwsK8R90lvQxDDaLz3bKdl7dn0JnKrNZxJwdKx4a-LJ5NJTjTA1rO13RGUQFFtlxM95yGKmorv8Cr/s400/Malta+-+Narrow+Street.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A narrow street in the Maltese capital.</td></tr>
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During World War II, when Malta was part of the British Empire, the island's strategic importance led to destructive bombing by the Nazis, but its ports and airfields permitted the interdiction of German shipping to the North African theater of operations.<br />
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The weather was slightly cool and blustery, but the sun was warming and pleasant. It was a busy few days as there is much to see. It was a welcome break, but now I'm back to classes and other projects here in Poznan.<br />
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<h3>
Signs of Spring</h3>
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<div>
I will leave you with a few images of the promise of the season. A few warm days last week -- temperatures topped 70 degrees Fahrenheit one day (around 20 Celsius) -- introduced a welcome change following a long, dreary winter. The face of Poznan is changing dramatically with the turn in the weather. Temperatures have returned to more seasonable upper 50's (around 14 Celsius), but the citizens of Poznan are determined that winter is over. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAWtRYOM3parUqlhFw07hkjTQoFXfr7PoaU7ZUP96QjU4dMUUYbb9Apom6x3n25mb6RoPdiTesJqNQKx5NI2CaW2y6xWnMStbkEjqFnzgQK4kJrK09CbII8aIvbwlNZj4VPpxOl6b6p1g/s1600/Stary+Rynek+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAWtRYOM3parUqlhFw07hkjTQoFXfr7PoaU7ZUP96QjU4dMUUYbb9Apom6x3n25mb6RoPdiTesJqNQKx5NI2CaW2y6xWnMStbkEjqFnzgQK4kJrK09CbII8aIvbwlNZj4VPpxOl6b6p1g/s640/Stary+Rynek+Cafe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outdoor cafes in the Stary Rynek appeared just in time to benefit from the unseasonably warm weather last week.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BtBlcKvprzj4_38GsghXymawRKXa4fsQJ6DzD5UHLHnDGw9p4aahptmxG7nRHX_jJxTv_BCYe1-47TIwnzk9B-m9Ga28XT5NBG1gE3f241mDc0VaNzqyykgK6i00FoOdqOYAq_1JBS3i/s1600/Stary+Rynek+Cafe+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BtBlcKvprzj4_38GsghXymawRKXa4fsQJ6DzD5UHLHnDGw9p4aahptmxG7nRHX_jJxTv_BCYe1-47TIwnzk9B-m9Ga28XT5NBG1gE3f241mDc0VaNzqyykgK6i00FoOdqOYAq_1JBS3i/s400/Stary+Rynek+Cafe+-+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque skies and mild temperatures help showcase the beauty of Poznan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFF67SN5Ebn1kvUmKuqMJiV_OYM4OJU3QtWfq2YucGyo2q7lh_qhFYubI4KZMEZYP8mVc0arUAXsi79-Yh2Wki4eqwOg_I8AQ11OlVZxm81ARzeMJB7g51PebS47zbTtxmaoUo9k_-pHu/s1600/Poznan+Spring+-+Riverside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFF67SN5Ebn1kvUmKuqMJiV_OYM4OJU3QtWfq2YucGyo2q7lh_qhFYubI4KZMEZYP8mVc0arUAXsi79-Yh2Wki4eqwOg_I8AQ11OlVZxm81ARzeMJB7g51PebS47zbTtxmaoUo9k_-pHu/s400/Poznan+Spring+-+Riverside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare warm day in early spring brings out Poznanians to bask along the Warta River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBumFlABla5AnqmBo42LOa1EErZLgJ7RpWb2lzE22vTCp8fBas0n9exoVS3M_2t9X8rdVfdtlTbgWGvRRkcDVcO7tSrZ-knFwSPkO90BJMwDinjhm8X7Tgtm4cNlvznaaR5D9stYPWHuf8/s1600/Poznan+Spring+-+Kayaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBumFlABla5AnqmBo42LOa1EErZLgJ7RpWb2lzE22vTCp8fBas0n9exoVS3M_2t9X8rdVfdtlTbgWGvRRkcDVcO7tSrZ-knFwSPkO90BJMwDinjhm8X7Tgtm4cNlvznaaR5D9stYPWHuf8/s400/Poznan+Spring+-+Kayaks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Valiant kayakers paddle against the flow of the Warta River that meanders through Poznan.</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zVopt_r8_7mBZI2zBLbNF8WkIPG_191hioupkcC2qcWfn6wCF-gCzH2BoQIGpwYlnZ-0B2jUQKPQx7n-B13kjLvfoR1fTR13oU9jXzJlhqmmHV1ElSFxE4LddtxmFtpH5gm4XwOtKoir/s1600/Poznan+Spring+-+Bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0zVopt_r8_7mBZI2zBLbNF8WkIPG_191hioupkcC2qcWfn6wCF-gCzH2BoQIGpwYlnZ-0B2jUQKPQx7n-B13kjLvfoR1fTR13oU9jXzJlhqmmHV1ElSFxE4LddtxmFtpH5gm4XwOtKoir/s400/Poznan+Spring+-+Bikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The automated bicycle rental stands are now fully stocked. It's my preferred means of transportation home from work.</td></tr>
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That's enough for today. Thanks for your visit, and do widzenia.<br />
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-54582486812383443222016-03-23T09:04:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:02:44.569-07:00What Just Happened?<h2>
What Just Happened?</h2>
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Owing to a confluence of selected principles of orbital mechanics and solid geometry, we recently experienced an extraordinary, even miraculous event. The blend of the earth's elliptical orbit around the sun, the 23 1/2 degree tilt of the earth's axis to that orbital plane, and the planet's equatorial rotational speed of roughly 465.1 meters per second (just over 1,000 miles per hour) conspired to create a precise instant, (5:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 20, in Poznan, Poland) called the Vernal Equinox. <i>Vernal</i> from the Latin for <i>spring</i>, <i>equinox</i> combining the Latin for <i>equal</i> and <i>night</i>. Spring has arrived. Of course, for my readers south of the equator, you just experienced the Autumnal Equinox, but I don't want to make this too confusing. That said, the assumption that this event is accompanied by flowering trees, sunshine, and bright, pleasantly warm days appears to be somewhat premature. As the screen shot below suggests, as I write this, it is 4 degrees Celsius in Poznan (39 degrees Fahrenheit) in the early afternoon with chilly rain forecast later. There is a slight warming trend in the days ahead, but the long-range forecast has us drifting below freezing again in early April. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz0uAyLRjN5HHt81Fej10toO7i59G4kONxHK6AZ0rPnKNZ5VMIXrkDmcJfZmI3mt9HqjmiMkiWNgVrqimcOa2a0wffT2VMIejI-NRoPW-D8A_RQzOZT65LgaFouJSItbKBzOGg__XNIxP/s1600/Poznan+Spring+Weather.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGz0uAyLRjN5HHt81Fej10toO7i59G4kONxHK6AZ0rPnKNZ5VMIXrkDmcJfZmI3mt9HqjmiMkiWNgVrqimcOa2a0wffT2VMIejI-NRoPW-D8A_RQzOZT65LgaFouJSItbKBzOGg__XNIxP/s400/Poznan+Spring+Weather.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ah, well, it's still great to be here, and all too soon -- less than four months now -- our Fulbright fellowship in Poland will draw to a close just as the summer high season will be at its apex. So we will patiently watch for those more tangible and experiential harbingers of spring.</div>
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<h3>
Academic Activities</h3>
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Summer classes are now five weeks spent with about 12 weeks remaining. My two formal classes have settled into comfortable size of 25 students each now that drops and enrollments have ended. My Friday morning informal seminar has gained a couple participants, so the combination of prep, grading, writing projects and other responsibilities keeps my days (and some evenings) pleasantly active and purposeful. </div>
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On a recent Saturday, I again led a half-day seminar for professionals pursuing weekend master's degrees. This time the topic was internal/employee communication, and I focused on organizing and planning for internal communication programs. Given nearly four hours, I include a variety of teaching approaches: lecture, discussion, video clips, small-group problem solving, case studies, etc. All 12 students were Polish, so I admire tremendously their ability to stay focused and engaged after a full work week as I teach in English. Their active participation in class activities tells me they found the session useful.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzc-UgjPoHbCyYpyv-5O7WfnMUDjJ-CwqqJ6ZJI9a6caABhZSZOEuylTgC1Hdx83l8vOZkTu6P_UyU_WbAFb3O0T5hWx4NTteKhPH4jswbLeUv_wH9Vb5adjwMMoY1jQak6BOz5DX4kNY/s1600/DSCN0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzc-UgjPoHbCyYpyv-5O7WfnMUDjJ-CwqqJ6ZJI9a6caABhZSZOEuylTgC1Hdx83l8vOZkTu6P_UyU_WbAFb3O0T5hWx4NTteKhPH4jswbLeUv_wH9Vb5adjwMMoY1jQak6BOz5DX4kNY/s400/DSCN0853.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freitag lecturing on internal/employee communication to Polish graduate students.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ1lUUv4vozV4DTdwDcSwp6R4__musZtA45pimGL5CFVhNJTgV4m7xgxZNQYc1U-twxvXetKDhf1XuR_wPoxZ1Cv2mOnzvMVe2ggl4uxudTOE_IBkCPqGBgM9Fh8ht_XUHpVMtYh1M2aM/s1600/DSCN0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ1lUUv4vozV4DTdwDcSwp6R4__musZtA45pimGL5CFVhNJTgV4m7xgxZNQYc1U-twxvXetKDhf1XuR_wPoxZ1Cv2mOnzvMVe2ggl4uxudTOE_IBkCPqGBgM9Fh8ht_XUHpVMtYh1M2aM/s640/DSCN0851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduate students working in small groups to address a case study problem.</td></tr>
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We have a respite from classes this week Thursday and Friday as part of the Easter break. My classes will resume March 24. </div>
<h3>
A Quick Trip to Szczecin</h3>
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Robin and I carved out three days for a train trip to the northwest Polish city of Szczecin (for non-Polish speakers, just say Stetson, like the cowboy hats, and you'll be close enough). This beautiful city near the Baltic coast and the German border has a storied, sometimes tragic history, and proved a delightful addition to our list of fine Polish cities visited. Over the centuries, Szczecin (<i>Stettin</i> in its German form) has been under the control of Sweden, the Holy Roman Empire, Denmark, the German Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia (as part of the province of Pomerania), Nazi Germany, and only became part of the People's Republic of Poland in 1945, then the Republic of Poland in 1989. Sadly, during World War II, as many as 15,000 Polish slave workers served in Nazi manufacturing plants in Szczecin. You may recall Winston Churchill's seminal "Iron Curtain Speech" in which he declared, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent." Anti-communist demonstrations grew in Szczecin during the 1980s despite the imposition in Poland of martial law. Pope John Paul II's visit in 1987 intensified sentiment and activities in that direction, culminating in strikes and eventual free elections in Poland in 1989.</div>
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Now, Szczecin is a thriving city of more than 400,000, with ports handling more than 10 million tons of cargo annually. Its nicely restored ducal castle, extensive Renaissance and Gothic architecture from the late 19th and very early 20th centuries, and countless churches and cathedrals make this a splendid city to explore. Fair but chilly weather permitted us to take in a great deal, though we lacked adequate time to enjoy the impressive list of intriguing museums. </div>
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A few of our photos are below, but our full array of photos from Szczecin may be viewed here: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nzgjhv3oxecw2e7/AACN65NI_7smmAmSDsqSMzDQa?dl=0" target="_blank">Szczecin Photos</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAOhwqy_UVz4MlyWdUsfgQqWkpr4gPrqE9imyRQnCrR0va9LWMqy9RmUtd6if1BPJWLL4RJvprPhsWQ1NxD3_9AZjrX6LnzGbZiTvQb03MiM-QnkTLpaSx4kmcbPOMr5VNbeuS2mblYRx/s1600/DSCN0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAOhwqy_UVz4MlyWdUsfgQqWkpr4gPrqE9imyRQnCrR0va9LWMqy9RmUtd6if1BPJWLL4RJvprPhsWQ1NxD3_9AZjrX6LnzGbZiTvQb03MiM-QnkTLpaSx4kmcbPOMr5VNbeuS2mblYRx/s400/DSCN0878.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ducal Castle, built originally in the 14th century, then reconstructed several times since. It was 60% destroyed during World War II, then reconstructed according to its 17th century design.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn0KlMllatfskBG7o3t5Yz7LpVWxf8aTpRdnCXlUoL_F08yi3Esl5WOE1odrZJy4N0SEULM1sX8ybSE093erOxp4p2ujCdZ1DYNUl-tQ3Rnn994wOFvkScOpp7GYTAsEtZYkhFdelBxcC/s1600/DSCN0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwn0KlMllatfskBG7o3t5Yz7LpVWxf8aTpRdnCXlUoL_F08yi3Esl5WOE1odrZJy4N0SEULM1sX8ybSE093erOxp4p2ujCdZ1DYNUl-tQ3Rnn994wOFvkScOpp7GYTAsEtZYkhFdelBxcC/s400/DSCN0901.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed lunch in the restaurant now enclosed within the Ducal Castle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB1PSymXg9te147ME9aH7rCkDCgawKH3DMCAoJD7EEQKNYT9nhmrT_ktXvqkXeGHX7XG0PpX-ByVQhMQwSkmtpSq_B82C8PxDvQhr5DjdWC6wyrj_h7929EYEJishJ-FiMMdi_EWFzc3B/s1600/DSCN0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB1PSymXg9te147ME9aH7rCkDCgawKH3DMCAoJD7EEQKNYT9nhmrT_ktXvqkXeGHX7XG0PpX-ByVQhMQwSkmtpSq_B82C8PxDvQhr5DjdWC6wyrj_h7929EYEJishJ-FiMMdi_EWFzc3B/s400/DSCN0905.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A former residence, now an art school.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJL0m6mcpP7kdGk4r0uOsBb9t5hdj9MSP7Y9pvEfIeZrw5aLIoiV0bMoYCBcoNekaj40zVs7nCZN7kXHWjh740zWtTS4mDFZkGydaTPFD9ZgPJh42nEj9vzj5a2qpsJMnwS7eLXqsKzyA/s1600/DSCN0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJL0m6mcpP7kdGk4r0uOsBb9t5hdj9MSP7Y9pvEfIeZrw5aLIoiV0bMoYCBcoNekaj40zVs7nCZN7kXHWjh740zWtTS4mDFZkGydaTPFD9ZgPJh42nEj9vzj5a2qpsJMnwS7eLXqsKzyA/s400/DSCN0914.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A building now housing apartments and shops.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZFS9Vz6CobZi_aEsJPzboTvouXFhkz0gGWF0Jsnmv2gbf-rHgej9cWpFLtMh2LCZk4eCrq0xHfHzDpmCRWY75zqaYY1306ZmYwcaA-e9xPZg7NsQyz0NCwa7HFHF8XGQbjCz29cOjRp-/s1600/DSCN0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZFS9Vz6CobZi_aEsJPzboTvouXFhkz0gGWF0Jsnmv2gbf-rHgej9cWpFLtMh2LCZk4eCrq0xHfHzDpmCRWY75zqaYY1306ZmYwcaA-e9xPZg7NsQyz0NCwa7HFHF8XGQbjCz29cOjRp-/s400/DSCN0916.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping inside many of the beautiful buildings reveals spectacular interiors. This is a County office building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ansBOBYDteKoNgpj4PyJUVcx8xPfQpKyahv05vkFlC5oTTCwwk3z4Sn-Xe9xKoeOidez5zAd7ouqiHcBJKcISWVxmmdpdMUleaSqS9LcG8BpTPmOk__a12vXA16fMRJLxlTvoT_hXGTC/s1600/DSCN0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ansBOBYDteKoNgpj4PyJUVcx8xPfQpKyahv05vkFlC5oTTCwwk3z4Sn-Xe9xKoeOidez5zAd7ouqiHcBJKcISWVxmmdpdMUleaSqS9LcG8BpTPmOk__a12vXA16fMRJLxlTvoT_hXGTC/s400/DSCN0918.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A County office building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J5XmVDmUtdkJBkX9oQmercwenQn7El-M8t2EofxPoXwA1gSCAdylxHLPq8-ZdvgBL83R-8gd5MQs5IRbhik_2uyia8DV7MP3Bu9uDsIGo13oRtWAxzUzmtVDVZRIWbUqJ6uOqm4kx9V1/s1600/DSCN0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J5XmVDmUtdkJBkX9oQmercwenQn7El-M8t2EofxPoXwA1gSCAdylxHLPq8-ZdvgBL83R-8gd5MQs5IRbhik_2uyia8DV7MP3Bu9uDsIGo13oRtWAxzUzmtVDVZRIWbUqJ6uOqm4kx9V1/s640/DSCN0928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night view of the National Museum in Szczecin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNpQLnK2zPwK8jOKsXr4GnSHIGSCPv6Lpr_EGRjZINxL5_IxwFqTB6fuJlq6cyeo7dO83DzHqAtgoPztjMPNdkayKQYiHJlPBDdFbbcA-ed27s4R7n8excUspsLrV2_wVufhZYh2PNO2Q/s1600/DSCN0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNpQLnK2zPwK8jOKsXr4GnSHIGSCPv6Lpr_EGRjZINxL5_IxwFqTB6fuJlq6cyeo7dO83DzHqAtgoPztjMPNdkayKQYiHJlPBDdFbbcA-ed27s4R7n8excUspsLrV2_wVufhZYh2PNO2Q/s400/DSCN0931.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan bundled against the cold in a riverside park. The National Museum is in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pgCoqifvnj96guVj9LC6nYhL3M1rEKwBGdRVMUwaGhdvKi3mtNN-LYcqGCdGAEUqU6NlpvBJiNFDygHFdbD_xDEg3u_ZVeNPSuqtr1UhfTOMu-ayO8vOQAZHgK-VTW_hKWFhzxQ3znE0/s1600/DSCN0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pgCoqifvnj96guVj9LC6nYhL3M1rEKwBGdRVMUwaGhdvKi3mtNN-LYcqGCdGAEUqU6NlpvBJiNFDygHFdbD_xDEg3u_ZVeNPSuqtr1UhfTOMu-ayO8vOQAZHgK-VTW_hKWFhzxQ3znE0/s400/DSCN0937.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another spectacular interior.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlclPQVjmBl7EJeJhjObS299M_yZ8eUrjvb8GWdFjCxux9fxeSOM2wLslpy7t63idGuOqUk52Q2dctuFDx3BIcZsRoi5XPEYHaf-iKc8LRYTLoDpwFXYAWHLTVhnwAwphqNvUfGmln6xp1/s1600/DSCN0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlclPQVjmBl7EJeJhjObS299M_yZ8eUrjvb8GWdFjCxux9fxeSOM2wLslpy7t63idGuOqUk52Q2dctuFDx3BIcZsRoi5XPEYHaf-iKc8LRYTLoDpwFXYAWHLTVhnwAwphqNvUfGmln6xp1/s400/DSCN0939.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no recollection of what this building is, but it's a beauty!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wxN1B4wFqrVpnrgfh5Bs28dnG6LOCjSpsCNLrsXycw9ryWNdaTeFz9i-DCYrn_Z9-MOqIosXVEe3BHFEttLgCi8rPK9pzQTuGAhng_V0CFeGsnlzshXKLIPKeUTkhyphenhyphenW16hTFRfZtWBZQ/s1600/DSCN0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wxN1B4wFqrVpnrgfh5Bs28dnG6LOCjSpsCNLrsXycw9ryWNdaTeFz9i-DCYrn_Z9-MOqIosXVEe3BHFEttLgCi8rPK9pzQTuGAhng_V0CFeGsnlzshXKLIPKeUTkhyphenhyphenW16hTFRfZtWBZQ/s400/DSCN0943.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touring the city on foot is a breeze. The Tourist Information Office offers detailed maps that indicate several tour routes, each color-coded on the map. The corresponding colored lines are clearly visible along the routes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbRaWurxfCQaUAQ1V7CpsqeKiSYsS-TMZ46uJhX5eao7xlo0rJT96GHajBXYqoPm3uoOnIUXPGIxZPuY1u2W-irzPnELwYXnBBHfz347yGCky-SVDcsvU7IHMSl43Su2keq2UAh5ak5PX/s1600/DSCN0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbRaWurxfCQaUAQ1V7CpsqeKiSYsS-TMZ46uJhX5eao7xlo0rJT96GHajBXYqoPm3uoOnIUXPGIxZPuY1u2W-irzPnELwYXnBBHfz347yGCky-SVDcsvU7IHMSl43Su2keq2UAh5ak5PX/s400/DSCN0945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The color-coded lines take visitors to the key attractions in Szczecin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqcX_yYhWB0lkwrpm-WhPyfGNBNGxMLrDUIj8bV29RtXE4rOK2yrv8_V5OCeeUbPhFCfgwV166Nk76SChGQGfbXE5cc26pZ4F9V9BRq9izq7XcPbzLvCDhEENM95kG9rl7gQvc_pLMIfe/s1600/DSCN0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqcX_yYhWB0lkwrpm-WhPyfGNBNGxMLrDUIj8bV29RtXE4rOK2yrv8_V5OCeeUbPhFCfgwV166Nk76SChGQGfbXE5cc26pZ4F9V9BRq9izq7XcPbzLvCDhEENM95kG9rl7gQvc_pLMIfe/s400/DSCN0989.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Numbers along the way correspond to detailed explanations in the guidebook, augmented by posted plaques.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfoMDKMAIxDuSoxuBIj4GI86oap9QHP-3qi_3XD3QAYVoslNdsPcLvz5ORbn3MOTIx04Xfn8HmbVvMotX3hlVKBHuDX_kE3nGr5ZtZxvyFI32G2GSHM9W4ExvsTbXwfas8eENiAToK47O/s1600/DSCN0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfoMDKMAIxDuSoxuBIj4GI86oap9QHP-3qi_3XD3QAYVoslNdsPcLvz5ORbn3MOTIx04Xfn8HmbVvMotX3hlVKBHuDX_kE3nGr5ZtZxvyFI32G2GSHM9W4ExvsTbXwfas8eENiAToK47O/s400/DSCN0951.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Szczecin features many beautiful fountains, unfortunately not operating in winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjAKKH7cncLYvOcK5BfVG1z3cth5-0-wcHgiENaHOeGqAVgzdQxUG1HiexFTY2cwRMkllUJNpAzKhUjHaWkRvweRJmHRK3I4FrjEv1dmF6dyY9wo9O9AhpmDKxb8fJJWvqSGuG68kUXux/s1600/DSCN0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjAKKH7cncLYvOcK5BfVG1z3cth5-0-wcHgiENaHOeGqAVgzdQxUG1HiexFTY2cwRMkllUJNpAzKhUjHaWkRvweRJmHRK3I4FrjEv1dmF6dyY9wo9O9AhpmDKxb8fJJWvqSGuG68kUXux/s400/DSCN0954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited just one museum, the Museum of Technology and Transport. It features an extensive collection of Polish-built vehicles of the last century. It seems this industrial sector was blooming and poised to excel in the 1930s, but was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1939.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv8jgysROaTELjW55R6UXVj8980-zM5UGLXVKdBhiNCinvG6Uo40-kBkmEYQScU5T3_2Gr-0YqmEvKZfR_3iwsWskKFE6k_8wIS5h8XI9510LNaiuW1sEfL4jxHS007o0j4xzzTXchGkn/s1600/DSCN0972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyv8jgysROaTELjW55R6UXVj8980-zM5UGLXVKdBhiNCinvG6Uo40-kBkmEYQScU5T3_2Gr-0YqmEvKZfR_3iwsWskKFE6k_8wIS5h8XI9510LNaiuW1sEfL4jxHS007o0j4xzzTXchGkn/s400/DSCN0972.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin cozying up to a whimsical statue in one of the parks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16TQxDEdKIu8f2dTXlCfsKKoTxONxlmr4R3ZBm5rInHLAI77VK6qACXKIkLEo42qUWhEA-DTH0PS0hud3woAtmNEWd2k8JPhEJmfRZQDHlkOdVM8C_QU9tTgcL6VGtpcu_WB2tapLpjwI/s1600/DSCN0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16TQxDEdKIu8f2dTXlCfsKKoTxONxlmr4R3ZBm5rInHLAI77VK6qACXKIkLEo42qUWhEA-DTH0PS0hud3woAtmNEWd2k8JPhEJmfRZQDHlkOdVM8C_QU9tTgcL6VGtpcu_WB2tapLpjwI/s400/DSCN0976.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blessed by sunshine on our final day in Szczecin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLaQUTcufDkxTeAXEKJwLmGNPfujtEg3_KsOojOfMCrYeQiPpvKuPToL73bVsGZ-p38gWztsUtsBAq8QXKALOSo_KPbyf_dUj4SjzDGXXzFogrvmvClvxYIx2H9ZKAodjVgy6mgBSO_Cj/s1600/DSCN0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLaQUTcufDkxTeAXEKJwLmGNPfujtEg3_KsOojOfMCrYeQiPpvKuPToL73bVsGZ-p38gWztsUtsBAq8QXKALOSo_KPbyf_dUj4SjzDGXXzFogrvmvClvxYIx2H9ZKAodjVgy6mgBSO_Cj/s640/DSCN0980.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The city is home to many magnificent churches and cathedrals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8mv_HQrXNP8bFqUVtw8xJkfRkfBr_tJlAA2byozryT12_s8NuXWEdkAhQetWaoirunNdtebjbVlHBlgUutWjqvZEOfUvatj9fyXWaSEflgrdJLXTxJAD1ceXk5GCbxKG06FlgjrTuPyN/s1600/DSCN0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8mv_HQrXNP8bFqUVtw8xJkfRkfBr_tJlAA2byozryT12_s8NuXWEdkAhQetWaoirunNdtebjbVlHBlgUutWjqvZEOfUvatj9fyXWaSEflgrdJLXTxJAD1ceXk5GCbxKG06FlgjrTuPyN/s400/DSCN0986.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a hard working port city with constant traffic on the river leading to the Baltic Sea.</td></tr>
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I think that's enough boring vacation photos to share for now. We still have further travel plans in our remaining 14 weeks, so brace yourself for more of the same. We're also eagerly anticipating several visits from friends and colleagues in the U.S. Please continue enjoying these blog entries, with my gratitude. Do widzenia!</div>
Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-88517170559179901292016-02-29T02:31:00.002-08:002016-06-06T04:02:57.409-07:00Past the Midpoint<h2>
Past the Midpoint</h2>
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We have now completed five months of our 10-month adventure here in Poznan. Although our lives have settled into a somewhat predictable routine, we are no less thrilled at this amazing opportunity. We have accomplished a lot, as my previous 12 posts attest, but there are many things remaining on our agenda and diminishing time in which to achieve them.</div>
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The weather has been reminding us lately that the calendar says there's plenty of winter left. Temperatures have been hovering at or slightly above and below freezing for some time, with only a slight warming pattern slated for the days ahead. Cold rain and drizzle have been regular companions, and yesterday saw a sleet storm, two brief snow storms, gusty winds, blue sky and sunshine all in the course of two hours. It's easy to predict when the worst weather will hit -- it's always when I'm lugging a heavy computer bag, a couple portfolios and a camera while trying to hold on firmly to an umbrella, walking to or from the tram or class in another building and dodging traffic. On the other hand, visible now are the first green buds of spring on the shrubbery in parks and gardens. We just need to hold out a little while longer before the earth explodes in its finest spring frippery. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrPeMxGh7dtPkwuavcQcG7Yc66Q9GvLOAJOrAYKAlhmYVNI7Yhj3MHDg4UAb4b6GcnR-yP7LfU_f5tBiM-EbaEp9lm_EZqzto5PL5VcgtYvNrsX9qQU0F6FaV7YqvivQOp3EgpN2CQz8z/s1600/DSCN0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrPeMxGh7dtPkwuavcQcG7Yc66Q9GvLOAJOrAYKAlhmYVNI7Yhj3MHDg4UAb4b6GcnR-yP7LfU_f5tBiM-EbaEp9lm_EZqzto5PL5VcgtYvNrsX9qQU0F6FaV7YqvivQOp3EgpN2CQz8z/s400/DSCN0840.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from a classroom window this week during a sudden midday storm that combined snow and sleet (sneet?). Within 15 minutes the sky was sunny and blue, though the temperature remained around the freezing mark.</td></tr>
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Teaching and Other Student Encounters</h3>
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After a short break, the "summer" semester has begun, and we are already two weeks into the term, which will continue through mid-June -- hence the "summer" moniker, though the designation doesn't seem quite so apt in February in Poland. I'm teaching two classes, International Public Relations and Corporate Communication (which I am choosing to focus on internal/employee communication). Each class has around 25 students, all exchange students as was the case during the winter semester recently ended. In addition to the same European and Asian countries represented in my classes during the previous semester, I now have students from Greece, Russia, Armenia and Belarus.</div>
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I continue to seek additional opportunities to engage in the life of the university here and participated as a panel member leading a discussion on "Internationalizing Poznan" earlier this week. About 50 exchange students attended, and I was joined on the panel by three representatives of Poznan government agencies. It was a fascinating discussion on steps Poznan might consider to contribute to its growing appeal as a destination for business, tourism and academic exchange.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYqiROqiBhlp_i029vJ0LFkvDddy60LTHESj4oFkF-kwIZHX7N-3t5FKPhy5JQpXyYvygwx3leS6ig2y8KZPo7834GLkJu27zricSdqL54eoCi9wQ708xIywyXmtjnvoT-JoLlUsx7o7g/s1600/Erasmus+Panel+%25281%2529+-+Feb+24%252C+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYqiROqiBhlp_i029vJ0LFkvDddy60LTHESj4oFkF-kwIZHX7N-3t5FKPhy5JQpXyYvygwx3leS6ig2y8KZPo7834GLkJu27zricSdqL54eoCi9wQ708xIywyXmtjnvoT-JoLlUsx7o7g/s640/Erasmus+Panel+%25281%2529+-+Feb+24%252C+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was one of four panelists discussing "Internationalizing Poznan." The three young men on the right are students who helped organize and moderate the event (two from Egypt, one from Peru), attended by roughly 50 exchange students and university officials.</td></tr>
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Also this week, I accepted an invitation to meet with a group of gifted and ambitious graduate and undergraduate business students, members of a club called "ASAP." The group augments their already demanding academic agenda by inviting guest speakers, with a focus on native English speakers, to lead discussions related to contemporary business practices. I spent 90 minutes with the group talking about the importance of building an organizational culture of trust and openness through effective internal communication structures, procedures and policies. My hope is that these future CEO's will incorporate these concepts into their business visions and approaches in the years ahead.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PLy0g8T5QlAagHhNWt9XHQJh6nq7D36qtw4_3lk3rVyul_ytllf46I5h5yK09eNjgk8oVrx3CnobAMezav0BxacSjvAw-LQcJhy9IncwsuVBmnD2v5ShH14wlpLaKWTKTSXbJHODJeuV/s1600/DSCN0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PLy0g8T5QlAagHhNWt9XHQJh6nq7D36qtw4_3lk3rVyul_ytllf46I5h5yK09eNjgk8oVrx3CnobAMezav0BxacSjvAw-LQcJhy9IncwsuVBmnD2v5ShH14wlpLaKWTKTSXbJHODJeuV/s640/DSCN0842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with "ASAP," a student-led business club.</td></tr>
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<h3>
A Brief Roman Holiday</h3>
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During the week between semesters, Robin and I squeezed in a few days in Rome. Direct flights from Poznan to many European destinations on low-cost airlines are a constant temptation, and the 2-hour flight to Rome was irresistible. Robin had been to Rome more than 30 years ago, and I have been to other parts of Italy, but this was my first visit to the historical capital. We booked a small, pleasant hotel in the Vio Veneto district, close to prime tourist attractions such as Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps (under repair and blocked off during our visit). In January, tourist levels are down and the weather is pleasant enough to permit comfortable walking to many attractions. While hours-long lines characterize peak tourist season, we waited in very short lines and sometimes no lines at all for sites such as the Colosseum, the Catacombs, Palatine Hill, even the Vatican, including St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistene Chapel. Restaurants and coffee shops were always available without reservations thanks to the absence of tourists. I've included a few photos below, but for an overdose of our snaps, visit this Drop Box site: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z034nsqd7e19sea/AABnoeC4sW9a6ZyREkW573VVa?dl=0" target="_blank">Alan and Robin's Rome Pix</a>. </div>
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More of Poznan's Cultural Scene</h3>
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Earlier this week, the Academy of Music here hosted an exceptional performance of all five of Beethoven's piano concerti over two splendid evenings. With a world-class pianist and a 40-piece orchestra, the experience was mesmerizing. What an extraordinary feat for a pianist -- to perform the five concerti in succession over two evenings. As always with events at the Academy, the quality was superb. And the cost? As always, free. This is an amazing place for lovers of fine music.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pianist and the orchestra receive well-earned appreciation from a grateful audience.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Leaving Our Footprint</h3>
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One final note -- we were graciously invited recently to the home of one of my colleagues in the department in which I'm teaching here at the Poznan University of Economics. Dr. Jacek Trebecki, with whom I have collaborated on a number of research, writing and teaching projects, invited us to dinner at a wonderful local neighborhood restaurant then to his home for tea and dessert. It was my privilege to provide Jacek, his wife, Asia, and their three great children with souvenirs of my home university. They obligingly posed for the photo below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-GlqJ-KecSpSe242AwXWS9drKoYqDA-PjO3baN1RinX9y8vIzAf4_ON-UKTO5L4DCCd7CKxYsvoDd2GuGG227oAA7Sactn99AbaYNLXdsHZpt03RKutoGIlb1xZgsEj5L559DYsJ_Pbi/s1600/DSCN0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-GlqJ-KecSpSe242AwXWS9drKoYqDA-PjO3baN1RinX9y8vIzAf4_ON-UKTO5L4DCCd7CKxYsvoDd2GuGG227oAA7Sactn99AbaYNLXdsHZpt03RKutoGIlb1xZgsEj5L559DYsJ_Pbi/s400/DSCN0811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's a wrap for this edition of the blog. Thank you most kindly for your visit, and I hope you'll drop in again. Do widzenia!</div>
Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-30084211061902060302016-02-03T04:19:00.001-08:002016-06-06T04:03:09.821-07:00Winter Semester Winding Down<h2>
Winter Semester Winding Down</h2>
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The winter term that began in mid-September is drawing to a close, with exams and final presentations defining last week and this. Students in both my classes cap their experiences with group presentations based on final projects designed to encapsulate their accumulated knowledge during the past 16 weeks.<br />
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In Internal Communication, student groups of four or five (there are 40+ students in the class) were tasked to prepare a comprehensive internal communication policy document for an organization of their choice. The document had to address policies and procedures for such areas as organizational communication goals, employee use of social media, delegation of communication responsibilities, an explanation of internal communication channels, protocols for external communication activities of employees, fundamental guidance for crisis communication, a framework for communication training for employees, procedures for gauging internal communication effectiveness, plus a few other components. The student groups had to submit a professional quality document and share a 15-minute summary presentation with the class. Half the teams completed their presentations last week, and the remaining presentations occurred Monday, February 1. This has been a considerable challenge for the students, but they attacked it with vitality and keen interest. Hardly any had any previous exposure to public relations; most are pursuing degrees in business. They tell me they had not previously appreciated either the weighty significance of effective employee communication, nor had they considered the value of carefully crafted and published organizational policies to guide and manage internal communication. It is my hope that students in this class, representing roughly a dozen countries in Europe, South America and Asia, will increasingly introduce these concepts into their continued studies and approaching professional careers in their home countries.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymFQ3zmK__G6zuDZvg2ztk8HFO8vFwJxbEGbPonHihW0CtBDElePIWLDdKmCKGtdvPqxbTsQtqwNu1qGK-EjnAx_n3zlz3yGfL0YYL6MaeaYx7v2KwtqKvkIJ_c8zXq-oGEbr4aweymZj/s1600/DSCN0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymFQ3zmK__G6zuDZvg2ztk8HFO8vFwJxbEGbPonHihW0CtBDElePIWLDdKmCKGtdvPqxbTsQtqwNu1qGK-EjnAx_n3zlz3yGfL0YYL6MaeaYx7v2KwtqKvkIJ_c8zXq-oGEbr4aweymZj/s400/DSCN0621.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Internal Communication student team presents on its chosen organization, Mercedes Benz Customer Service.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAMgraOT_2x3sAHiCBDvlCZH0Cn3lghiyUpb6NLwUXMz13HG4dbcCBwcQh9sp-KMQrTsabaSz2WqEv3RQmaiu_q5OLKT_zStuFSQOoI6Uk58MADBvBJcnDPIdovPTD9E3NMbpryZwefh5/s1600/DSCN0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAMgraOT_2x3sAHiCBDvlCZH0Cn3lghiyUpb6NLwUXMz13HG4dbcCBwcQh9sp-KMQrTsabaSz2WqEv3RQmaiu_q5OLKT_zStuFSQOoI6Uk58MADBvBJcnDPIdovPTD9E3NMbpryZwefh5/s400/DSCN0623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Internal Communication team developed a policy document for a small UK brewery.</td></tr>
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Other organizations for which students developed internal communication policies included Ferrari, Nestlé, our own Poznan University of Economics and several other corporations and nonprofits. I was deeply impressed with the way the presentations and the policy documents reflected gained knowledge. Especially impressive is the fact that the projects and the presentations were in English -- not the primary language for any of these students.<br />
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In International Public Relations, I provided students with a scenario: They were representatives of a public relations team retained by a company headquartered in Mumbai, India. The fictitious company manufactures plastic tubing (used for toothpaste, hand cream, suntan lotion, etc.). The company was expanding globally, and the PR team was charged with preparing a report on the communication challenges the Indian company would face when establishing operations in each team's assigned country (Argentina, the Philippines, Vietnam, etc.). So each team needed to assess the cultural and structural differences between India and the team's assigned country as those differences affected communication related to the business venture. For example, teams needed to research and report on interpersonal communication variances, differences in media structures, comparative legal issues pertaining to public relations (copyright, privacy, etc.), even the nature of public relations practice. Their reports also had to suggest approaches the company might take in accommodating differences. The students did a splendid job, and both the reports and the presentations were worthy of the corporate setting. Again, students worked entirely in English.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZzfSJUH4-u5sDFlnFJa5DZdSd_2tmMRJX3wa0jonSy8mGQb8R2dhU81fzgZche7_2FuOp2gccPJVEpmpB_yX-cFwbqgO1x49WIjbUuYJAdjd6TRwNmViGXkP_HRGqiUBYqlQkQaEDyYJ/s1600/DSCN0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZzfSJUH4-u5sDFlnFJa5DZdSd_2tmMRJX3wa0jonSy8mGQb8R2dhU81fzgZche7_2FuOp2gccPJVEpmpB_yX-cFwbqgO1x49WIjbUuYJAdjd6TRwNmViGXkP_HRGqiUBYqlQkQaEDyYJ/s400/DSCN0627.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This group described the challenges the Indian company would face in expanding in Argentina. The students in the group are from Vietnam, France, Romania and Italy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUR_8vhLlITctsRDYqDk02Wxtfg8pff6p0hvAIFToMruXalt60tqUm9Q0zPa8oQU2C5qzjmpDjv9EA7LyZIpr_KsxrZncvTuhrqp626hIB2Qcn2bJYGFSirgblgIWNWzQZJPWLFzo1jTY/s1600/DSCN0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUR_8vhLlITctsRDYqDk02Wxtfg8pff6p0hvAIFToMruXalt60tqUm9Q0zPa8oQU2C5qzjmpDjv9EA7LyZIpr_KsxrZncvTuhrqp626hIB2Qcn2bJYGFSirgblgIWNWzQZJPWLFzo1jTY/s400/DSCN0632.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here a student group presents a summary of its report on plans to expand in South Africa. The students come from France, Germany, Ukraine and Bulgaria.</td></tr>
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It is extremely gratifying to see groups of promising and gifted young men and women able to work together so successfully, solving challenging issues despite the vast differences in their own cultures and experiences.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEi5sdSQKNBeapHMlMkk1_CchaKwWutlqvyiBRHz2MOnNGb2Ur8zAzHzCmIecwozkH3S2capM2xx5DctK7pUrZYIYDNAyxcsG0jRt7g6H2px_F1MfixQ410J-k4ug6QEM7bdzcII6qxwh/s1600/DSCN0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEi5sdSQKNBeapHMlMkk1_CchaKwWutlqvyiBRHz2MOnNGb2Ur8zAzHzCmIecwozkH3S2capM2xx5DctK7pUrZYIYDNAyxcsG0jRt7g6H2px_F1MfixQ410J-k4ug6QEM7bdzcII6qxwh/s640/DSCN0626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One side note -- this is the view from the classroom in which I taught this term now ending. One entire wall of the classroom in this magnificent new university building is glass, and the view can be distracting. Across the street on the right side are other university buildings. The rounded building on the left side is the exceptionally beautiful performing arts center for the Academy of Music, one of the most highly regarded in the world. Past the intersection in the center is the Zamek (Polish for castle). It was constructed from 1905-1910 under German Emperor William II. Poland regained its independence following World War I (it had been partitioned since the late 18th century), and the Zamek housed the Mathematics Department of Poznan University. Graduates of that department broke the Enigma Code early during World War II. During German occupation, Hitler’s architect - Albert Speer - rebuilt the interiors of the castle, creating among other features a replica of the Fuhrer’s Berlin study. These days, the Zamek is a cultural center hosting art exhibits, concerts, film screenings, lectures and the like. I recently visited the Zamek to view an exhibit of Impressionist artists who had painted in Normandy, including Renoir, Delacroix and Monet. In summer, there are concerts on the square in front of the Zamek, and a beautiful garden/park with restaurant is situated behind the Zamek.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Speaking of music...</h3>
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Robin and I have continued to enjoy the free performances presented at the Academy of Music. There are several events each week featuring the extraordinarily gifted students (and occasionally faculty) of this major conservatory. Last week, we took in a flute and organ concert. Both performers were students, but each would easily qualify for a mid-sized city orchestra. They performed separately and together, with an emphasis on Bach.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIHygYRt6dppiVmIuFoWw9W_JL39agfnrCR5HQdXnH05Ucx_drMdyJ7niHaZPe85ZJ4pTKsT2EgFoDKFzBCn7_MKHU3aGwCGDKuhrCJDW2jj85v3R3gMJyByi-wI_82G8okhI8Z13QvR/s1600/DSCN0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIHygYRt6dppiVmIuFoWw9W_JL39agfnrCR5HQdXnH05Ucx_drMdyJ7niHaZPe85ZJ4pTKsT2EgFoDKFzBCn7_MKHU3aGwCGDKuhrCJDW2jj85v3R3gMJyByi-wI_82G8okhI8Z13QvR/s400/DSCN0637.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is deeply moving to hear Bach performed on an instrument of this quality by a truly accomplished artist. The young man in the gray jacket is the page turner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5cYqQYb2stWsENJ6jeNuCGoau4UROjm8_uq7PNFcU6B9l5qATOpFvG-mhUxkbe8eHrabXqnuyjZBamvk-OqAx7yNK_3SPpAk1BO_loF0mISKlkjSff22OG9HZfOfELZb2sBN4DtXWkgF/s1600/DSCN0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5cYqQYb2stWsENJ6jeNuCGoau4UROjm8_uq7PNFcU6B9l5qATOpFvG-mhUxkbe8eHrabXqnuyjZBamvk-OqAx7yNK_3SPpAk1BO_loF0mISKlkjSff22OG9HZfOfELZb2sBN4DtXWkgF/s400/DSCN0638.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flute and organ performing together are well suited for Baroque styling.</td></tr>
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<h3>
A word on life in Poznan</h3>
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You may be curious about our lifestyle here in Poland, so I'll share a bit of our routine. The winter has been typical for Poland, with a few periods of snow and freezing temperatures alternating with gray, drizzly or foggy weather, but it has been comfortable. Without a car, we rely on public transportation, and we walk a great deal more than is our custom in the U.S., so we're exposed to the weather more here. We do enjoy occasional days of sunshine, and we know that spring is approaching, so we don't mind the climate. I've added a photo below taken from our apartment. If you'd like to view more photos of the inside of our furnished apartment and the views we enjoy, visit this Drop Box website: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mc0s68w5ccnqtjg/AABtJpyFy42VjOk7JsPuN7Yka?dl=0" target="_blank">Poznan Apartment</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3oz8fOVf6MRF_7BR015A0XbVQumYTTJQWV1gygjPRwgIfVGen9Onw1KUVaM_N_ZKd9ybfCaSxF-vUuAm5dBRFn7B89PyroX9MtPhHU74sx8nikqs30KsgZQzQOgN9I7n711hiP7decvi/s1600/DSCN0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3oz8fOVf6MRF_7BR015A0XbVQumYTTJQWV1gygjPRwgIfVGen9Onw1KUVaM_N_ZKd9ybfCaSxF-vUuAm5dBRFn7B89PyroX9MtPhHU74sx8nikqs30KsgZQzQOgN9I7n711hiP7decvi/s400/DSCN0616.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our apartment in Poznan one recent, snowy morning. Ours is one of about 10 apartment buildings in the neighborhood similar in design. Each building has 12-15 apartments of varying size. Ours is 125 square meters, or about 1300 square feet -- large by European standards. Just beyond the light blue apartment building in the center is the Warta River, and beyond that, Poznan city center (not visible on this gray day). </td></tr>
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We're often asked about the food in Poland, and perhaps I'll build a post around that theme in the coming months. I will simply say here that we eat well -- the food is delicious and healthy. Our kitchen is minimally equipped, so we often eat our main meal out. For daily dining, we have found good value at the cafeteria-style restaurants that constitute Poland's version of fast food; I've included three photos below to illustrate. Of course, there are many exceptionally fine restaurants we enjoy occasionally as well. There are also the typical U.S.-based fast-food establishments, which we do not visit -- that's not why we're here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k-lhaMlzxfOfS_kx-a-B5e8aL4_uam6GM2kYnWD8oKKdzph5GpWZdts-iJgeiPgg2M96eCsuhO5IsgKX0T4VvQ2lhDF2b71nBrrk_fSUEr3P77irFKBETwWfLp8vlsWtx2ZCQnMIeHLH/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k-lhaMlzxfOfS_kx-a-B5e8aL4_uam6GM2kYnWD8oKKdzph5GpWZdts-iJgeiPgg2M96eCsuhO5IsgKX0T4VvQ2lhDF2b71nBrrk_fSUEr3P77irFKBETwWfLp8vlsWtx2ZCQnMIeHLH/s400/DSCN0636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the cafeteria-style restaurants we often visit. The food is always fresh, attractively displayed and tasty. Customers simply select the items they want and serve themselves. At the end of the line, the plate is placed on a scale and the cost calculated based on weight. A substantial, healthy meal is generally less than $10 U.S.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u9opoFH03rDOdV2kpZrTd_rLXN0NaXpRAlKkNEffcZ5pOskLgdAUHjg6Xky8zuUdHGH-CP5TY_VVA_fq6x6gLY_25Xz_LBH0XI-3dcxV3ZOdzd0o4DN-s-kQjOr0XXmZ-NQS_JLl9iFz/s1600/DSCN0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u9opoFH03rDOdV2kpZrTd_rLXN0NaXpRAlKkNEffcZ5pOskLgdAUHjg6Xky8zuUdHGH-CP5TY_VVA_fq6x6gLY_25Xz_LBH0XI-3dcxV3ZOdzd0o4DN-s-kQjOr0XXmZ-NQS_JLl9iFz/s400/DSCN0634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is always an excellent assortment of delicious and creative salads as well as a variety of potatoes, rice and vegetables. Meat dishes usually include pork, chicken and fish, all prepared in a variety of ways. Of course, there are always pierogies -- traditional Polish dumplings filled with chopped meat, cheese, cabbage, etc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cafeteria, like most, is in a modern shopping mall along with other outlets in the food court. The common seating area is clean, bright and pleasant. </td></tr>
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I have posted final grades for the winter term now concluded, so I have a few days to prepare my courses for the summer term, which begins February 16. Several writing projects will also keep me busy. Winter seems to be in battle with approaching spring this week, with changeable weather. Yesterday, it took two firm hands on a stout umbrella to walk to my university office through chilly, blustery showers. Today, it's still breezy, but the sun is breaking through the clouds. Tomorrow, there's a possibility of snow showers. Ah well, we're exactly where we want to be!<br />
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Thanks for your virtual visit, and do widzenia!<br />
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-83456683811066517152016-01-06T07:19:00.000-08:002016-06-06T04:03:24.499-07:00Winter Arrives<h2>
Winter Arrives</h2>
The weather finally caught up with the calendar here in Poland, and after early winter weeks with relatively mild temperatures (40's Fahrenheit, around 10 Celsius), Christmas brought with it a polar air mass that has settled in for an apparently long stay. When classes resumed Monday, 4 January, my morning commute by tram and on foot was on a 9-degree Fahrenheit morning (-13 Celsius), and we've had only slight warming since then. We've had a few light snowfalls including a 2-inch event overnight last night. The cityscape is beautiful, but because we only walk and take public transportation, the going gets a bit challenging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WYiY8b-SZy4M3Kdfi5lT3FdNsGZsDsgxcUzVe_92T6yJMAfGnxyYJyrB0z3tPJ0MUcS77I7eMcVFvjZ6VV63pV9pfYiMBQO0I44v5dW8Cj-GWNyDItopyg9nY24bvDNXdcuFwYKwTPUy/s1600/DSCN0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WYiY8b-SZy4M3Kdfi5lT3FdNsGZsDsgxcUzVe_92T6yJMAfGnxyYJyrB0z3tPJ0MUcS77I7eMcVFvjZ6VV63pV9pfYiMBQO0I44v5dW8Cj-GWNyDItopyg9nY24bvDNXdcuFwYKwTPUy/s400/DSCN0616.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our apartment this morning, 6 January 2016</td></tr>
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After a short break, I'm back in class with about three weeks remaining in this semester. Grading papers and preparing to wrap up the classes with final presentations and exams is just as demanding as it is in the U.S. I still don't have my teaching schedule for the semester that begins in mid-February, so flexibility is key. An additional challenge is that nearly all my students are Erasmus students -- exchange students from other countries. Often their home universities operate on a conflicting schedule with the university here in Poznan, so I need to make allowances for students who must leave early to begin the spring semester back home. Again, one must be nimble. <br />
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We're now nearly four months into our 10-month stay here in Poland and still enjoying the experience immensely. Two of the reasons for that are highlighted in this post: a Christmas Eve gathering and a trip to Riga, Latvia.<br />
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International Christmas Eve</h3>
We are delighted to interact regularly with so many international students here in Poznan, both through my university here and through Poznan International Church. Knowing that some of these student would not be able to travel home over the Christmas break, we planned a gathering at our apartment for Christmas Eve, inviting those international students who would not be with family. It was a tremendous success and an overwhelming delight.<br />
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Robin did a brilliant job decorating the apartment given that we brought no materials with us in that regard. She and a couple international friends superbly planned a delicious and extensive menu, and all participants seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The photos below capture the spirit of the occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0fL5LmUOg0dK5GGykGca0aiZ0iL7iNe0ppJwVohIXFnscZVeOSkJqZlBH4e3D4901fB1TFty-eVrAOuyk0Q-kGUTtv8OuBs6PXM8TkRBTJL-CsOwwx8l1ebHXSfjr4ZN9D0M20V28pzt/s1600/Start+of+Gift+Exchange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0fL5LmUOg0dK5GGykGca0aiZ0iL7iNe0ppJwVohIXFnscZVeOSkJqZlBH4e3D4901fB1TFty-eVrAOuyk0Q-kGUTtv8OuBs6PXM8TkRBTJL-CsOwwx8l1ebHXSfjr4ZN9D0M20V28pzt/s640/Start+of+Gift+Exchange.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin explains the rules of the gift exchange - a new experience for all the guests.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGKwBE8LgTdfI6rAV0kG_7O_sISzkPFja_bbE-ilG-aRSnMecldeZ1j3zZ2K832A0eG2vTfxLVki8Z4d34H29pOlAu_PlkZ9aorRiXuhRpfGvghVsRbNH8iUArDFZbLghBSljvBSZbm-s/s1600/Guests+Opening+Gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGKwBE8LgTdfI6rAV0kG_7O_sISzkPFja_bbE-ilG-aRSnMecldeZ1j3zZ2K832A0eG2vTfxLVki8Z4d34H29pOlAu_PlkZ9aorRiXuhRpfGvghVsRbNH8iUArDFZbLghBSljvBSZbm-s/s400/Guests+Opening+Gifts.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests watch anxiously as one student unwraps her surprise gift. In this photo, Nigeria, Romania, Bulgaria, Vietnam and Singapore are represented. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfCubv1cDCIFBEU9Jcu2yG6wWnheFbbomW6NcOhEhRjRlnwkc4qI5Uf1uSj3ZB2r0GIiy-XVMaMSjHzPMcMA67tmSPrQItT9cJ47gb9ULHhqKAlZmc-8rru3qbzwDiC8HpIdMFd-FxqwA/s1600/Three+Girls+at+Table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfCubv1cDCIFBEU9Jcu2yG6wWnheFbbomW6NcOhEhRjRlnwkc4qI5Uf1uSj3ZB2r0GIiy-XVMaMSjHzPMcMA67tmSPrQItT9cJ47gb9ULHhqKAlZmc-8rru3qbzwDiC8HpIdMFd-FxqwA/s400/Three+Girls+at+Table.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three guests, representing India, Nigeria and Namibia (a business student and two medical students), enjoy food, beverages and the company.<br />
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Riga, Latvia</h3>
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The day after Christmas, 26 December, Robin and I traveled to Riga, Latvia, several hundred miles north from here, because Poland just wasn't cold enough. Actually, we had been advised that Riga was a beautiful city, and we were not at all disappointed. We took the Intercity Express train from Poznan to Warsaw, then a tram to the airport and a 1-hour flight to Riga. We spent six days in this splendid Baltic capital, including two guided excursions into the countryside. The weather was frigid, and we did most of our exploring on foot, so it was, as my British friends describe it, "bracing." </div>
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The most striking feature of Riga is the splendid architecture, particularly from the Art Nouveau period (roughly 1890-1910). Magnificently preserved and/or restored buildings in this style fill block after block in the extensive old part of the city. A number of outstanding museums add to the city's appeal, and our visit was made more delightful by the open-air Christmas Market in one of the old squares. Add superb food and warm, friendly people, and Riga should be on your list of must-see European cities.</div>
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The photos below convey some of the beauty of Riga, but it really should be experienced firsthand. To view our entire array of photos (brace yourself -- there are around 300!), visit this DropBox site: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/op5biqtiwwhjkr5/AACceda6eyTPSSLXalUCaXLLa?dl=0" target="_blank">RIGA PHOTOS</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWxn3ubX__3YuVSjGDdfE4UbijI2Ht5Ehqo9CTTMudZKomVrEf3_VZ88rMCCbRhdCxGHcEylcIbWdb2kGpFsVN4c3JuOkanvRViIUDmqCKEgjZ-_EZHSg0FCAM1AQ1nNR8tSlK96Wa33v/s1600/Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWxn3ubX__3YuVSjGDdfE4UbijI2Ht5Ehqo9CTTMudZKomVrEf3_VZ88rMCCbRhdCxGHcEylcIbWdb2kGpFsVN4c3JuOkanvRViIUDmqCKEgjZ-_EZHSg0FCAM1AQ1nNR8tSlK96Wa33v/s320/Train.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day after Christmas found the train to Warsaw nearly empty -- a rare event.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxnQ77uCPO6D6l7AyljGQeQLPBPxdy_Th-CqAo1tdbmKB5ks0dtg3a_-3DtW1EpL4XIU-kcOUBPGUuKZ-wLMwj3-rPj1KOCs2wULAC3tNScGrKYTbvqJ1TSBK4345mnvX60VUsF3R_cDk/s1600/Anniversary+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxnQ77uCPO6D6l7AyljGQeQLPBPxdy_Th-CqAo1tdbmKB5ks0dtg3a_-3DtW1EpL4XIU-kcOUBPGUuKZ-wLMwj3-rPj1KOCs2wULAC3tNScGrKYTbvqJ1TSBK4345mnvX60VUsF3R_cDk/s320/Anniversary+Dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary in Riga.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV0cV2CnAQhKt3Bcmzz-I8NHtlCWpdC21dRpfj-cRNMPaZYib_rayDILoRuMM2LCBh0dsepdmfMSm5QeapmiQTi91T7ak5WpKHZSqYInv5wtWY_YNGVC4dj6Ygg1j9s78U_9sDgpxTGMF/s1600/Blackheads+Bldg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV0cV2CnAQhKt3Bcmzz-I8NHtlCWpdC21dRpfj-cRNMPaZYib_rayDILoRuMM2LCBh0dsepdmfMSm5QeapmiQTi91T7ak5WpKHZSqYInv5wtWY_YNGVC4dj6Ygg1j9s78U_9sDgpxTGMF/s320/Blackheads+Bldg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guild hall in Riga.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtJ_-jfdnvvjF4niXV73-iim_P3VCNL_ZaxptTdk2tqFL4jKE5UN1Toz2-Hcbu3iGKQBU76JHUHSOMMDyD-w2cTMxMIj2wr9V7FJqTxVzqsnOvqzPL3H1YRFUHLWs3qF8E2mQkVy_KN5J/s1600/Bobsled+Course.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtJ_-jfdnvvjF4niXV73-iim_P3VCNL_ZaxptTdk2tqFL4jKE5UN1Toz2-Hcbu3iGKQBU76JHUHSOMMDyD-w2cTMxMIj2wr9V7FJqTxVzqsnOvqzPL3H1YRFUHLWs3qF8E2mQkVy_KN5J/s320/Bobsled+Course.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Latvia is extremely proud of its prowess in bobsledding and related winter sports. This is a view of the bottom of the worldclass course in Latvia where their top athletes train and where international competitions are held. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cvYhHh7rmRkTYeR5WF06zP2NWWQznpLCsCjyN0lGoPPHEvlgs8-lUOtAFaNg9AnagQSgjT_PHkxzyYuhMmLaMRSccX-6e9RKCvOqbohGjh_xpluVfvQpEHXR1RU0wYMGFxjQkRj5KVgR/s1600/Start+Bobsled+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cvYhHh7rmRkTYeR5WF06zP2NWWQznpLCsCjyN0lGoPPHEvlgs8-lUOtAFaNg9AnagQSgjT_PHkxzyYuhMmLaMRSccX-6e9RKCvOqbohGjh_xpluVfvQpEHXR1RU0wYMGFxjQkRj5KVgR/s320/Start+Bobsled+Run.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An athlete prepares to start a run down the course on a luge sled.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9vWVWtpJjvkpDznxBv88KASaTnXwJgGwoK653O9YrHmXBYVtBcnF31mfngfNsKr4ZNlk60PZ5UHHOG7hjZzazD285PAgIx99FkE_hmZXW7-acysT1HwmvW62DPC1ecltpVPi4n9yjLY-/s1600/Curved+window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9vWVWtpJjvkpDznxBv88KASaTnXwJgGwoK653O9YrHmXBYVtBcnF31mfngfNsKr4ZNlk60PZ5UHHOG7hjZzazD285PAgIx99FkE_hmZXW7-acysT1HwmvW62DPC1ecltpVPi4n9yjLY-/s320/Curved+window.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of the whimsical design of windows that often characterizes the Art Nouveau style.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGow9T-Nt-wBYd6DWckSFAWkfD9AZmRQEG2E_F9SJXUQ9ZAmXLYbLBLMs-xcrQVtjgfwEIjABSdlz34Gg4XtdqFa93G5cAyc0kvj2Kb11kbOEnUurauvMy8Zl0L-B9RiXSu4h_R24c_z/s1600/Cream+Facade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwGow9T-Nt-wBYd6DWckSFAWkfD9AZmRQEG2E_F9SJXUQ9ZAmXLYbLBLMs-xcrQVtjgfwEIjABSdlz34Gg4XtdqFa93G5cAyc0kvj2Kb11kbOEnUurauvMy8Zl0L-B9RiXSu4h_R24c_z/s320/Cream+Facade.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Art Nouveau facade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPhIxQQWZ9TzTKGtWvu78sr0gGIzisBj7PsH56ugY3nQgfN2_ZXXHnndDO52YlLrh9VCbxn5ZTUE0VtYqhZSMl_o13aW73d3FT1uZC-Q3dGrCQdG1QTc3N6T-sqpeqcNKxXYnFBoMgNxm/s1600/Fog+Over+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPhIxQQWZ9TzTKGtWvu78sr0gGIzisBj7PsH56ugY3nQgfN2_ZXXHnndDO52YlLrh9VCbxn5ZTUE0VtYqhZSMl_o13aW73d3FT1uZC-Q3dGrCQdG1QTc3N6T-sqpeqcNKxXYnFBoMgNxm/s320/Fog+Over+River.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold fog over the Daugava River in Latvia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6wGd6OcoV68HSq3KVz-nYxxmwvUdGdq9F2NMcneLb5VumLOWuqJaoenyPfuMKQhOl1cBQ1fVU4eHBQ5-kqEAzkBl8jG5kzkMsAhH73cTilTh7KlxikhQ7qmmTZjtW-TZbQOF9AWQI_g/s1600/Hotel+Monika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO6wGd6OcoV68HSq3KVz-nYxxmwvUdGdq9F2NMcneLb5VumLOWuqJaoenyPfuMKQhOl1cBQ1fVU4eHBQ5-kqEAzkBl8jG5kzkMsAhH73cTilTh7KlxikhQ7qmmTZjtW-TZbQOF9AWQI_g/s320/Hotel+Monika.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even our hotel was an architectural masterpiece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eq-PY3nM5szbaXaVa5EotwU9GxA9HQ5k22957Zm1t78VH93onYg38prX3YmwsZmIuD-xkaYNu98A3v9R-6CLFiiP864hVVbUWkiUZ6BuFYyeg_QRXwZPJd2vb3-P6yWtJVaah4recwbf/s1600/Med+Museum+-+Dental+Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eq-PY3nM5szbaXaVa5EotwU9GxA9HQ5k22957Zm1t78VH93onYg38prX3YmwsZmIuD-xkaYNu98A3v9R-6CLFiiP864hVVbUWkiUZ6BuFYyeg_QRXwZPJd2vb3-P6yWtJVaah4recwbf/s320/Med+Museum+-+Dental+Office.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Display of a 19th century dental office in Riga's excellent Medical Museum.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038c8MELQV-CeypfI8AWML4bN1ktwDkGt2uSMISO8pu4biXqp-zvqP3GPS92ifB-8ZsqZPMeDDhFGSWzt7p_LIH8U0q6CMt_LqlxuoYVyF2BeYu2FVHS3VO_KyUOypGTLMRUl9b98TB7w/s1600/Rundale+Palace+Exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj038c8MELQV-CeypfI8AWML4bN1ktwDkGt2uSMISO8pu4biXqp-zvqP3GPS92ifB-8ZsqZPMeDDhFGSWzt7p_LIH8U0q6CMt_LqlxuoYVyF2BeYu2FVHS3VO_KyUOypGTLMRUl9b98TB7w/s320/Rundale+Palace+Exterior.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin and our Latvian guide, Agrita, about to explore Rundale Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0ZTRVsUwusngPcL3ZldWTEts6OZnWtM1_DcilpQzbHL10jaEko2jt-t1-4gNLRoqaE-bkqS6ThKxRQ0creIAJSmUmXZMQFrKG5NFloQNQCX1X31l22p77wgCPjaY1BVExa3kjMiA-HUu/s1600/Rundale+Palace+Ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0ZTRVsUwusngPcL3ZldWTEts6OZnWtM1_DcilpQzbHL10jaEko2jt-t1-4gNLRoqaE-bkqS6ThKxRQ0creIAJSmUmXZMQFrKG5NFloQNQCX1X31l22p77wgCPjaY1BVExa3kjMiA-HUu/s320/Rundale+Palace+Ballroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ballroom of Rundale Palace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfpqRA4EzTLQBWKprl-FZlWgmTKl4-eh5ADzHzUoL-HBqgeSlZNjtX0af06KHCJOHY6DYKkoxylAtojuWOkaFuLSPCuhKS_fsKZtK92BLv0EPtLZcdup1-pfbyCRzXqeqVvVgvcJ0lEb-/s1600/Occupation+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfpqRA4EzTLQBWKprl-FZlWgmTKl4-eh5ADzHzUoL-HBqgeSlZNjtX0af06KHCJOHY6DYKkoxylAtojuWOkaFuLSPCuhKS_fsKZtK92BLv0EPtLZcdup1-pfbyCRzXqeqVvVgvcJ0lEb-/s320/Occupation+Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin reading displays in the Museum of Latvian Occupation. Latvia was occupied by the Russians in 1939, the Nazis in 1941, and the Russians again in 1945, becoming independent again only in 1991.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bGtof9kF-Qcv-xIAGEczxL6ksF7uN_eCl8iYuvZZ7FP05NGWV6AJfVWJav-pO8mCa596ibSBK0Kc0YzoGra_ZZMl713Ht35yPdtevBmLEZ8ETsFWQH7q3Ctz9sPfVOad1BpsHqG59X5D/s1600/Shopping+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bGtof9kF-Qcv-xIAGEczxL6ksF7uN_eCl8iYuvZZ7FP05NGWV6AJfVWJav-pO8mCa596ibSBK0Kc0YzoGra_ZZMl713Ht35yPdtevBmLEZ8ETsFWQH7q3Ctz9sPfVOad1BpsHqG59X5D/s320/Shopping+Street.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical commerce street in the old district of Riga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtf-LP2su4F-QHuzBYKokhXKum8iVIAcg0V-YXjuDGZPpWQjMC2x5D6fS7PIvz-WmBe_tcyvO4xiwoklHDjwWGbmG2fSShlBrUvWaqHdDSZbEsqo3eI1qbigm8ROu_S5vC9d6MV-n4-Au/s1600/Spiral+Staircase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtf-LP2su4F-QHuzBYKokhXKum8iVIAcg0V-YXjuDGZPpWQjMC2x5D6fS7PIvz-WmBe_tcyvO4xiwoklHDjwWGbmG2fSShlBrUvWaqHdDSZbEsqo3eI1qbigm8ROu_S5vC9d6MV-n4-Au/s320/Spiral+Staircase.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking upward through the center of a spiral staircase in one of the Art Nouveau buildings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXesyDkq_XE267gl265xQMl9WoFuxZIvzVvEdelwdoP231K68vfG8YgqVzbrLYzLfjIPg9RiHKT-ncfTjNi82ACiQa0kILyx95ene1VZbYvFYmnHj0Qfny7ooItOG9INQUT9VaDrpOwhSw/s1600/View+from+Hotel+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXesyDkq_XE267gl265xQMl9WoFuxZIvzVvEdelwdoP231K68vfG8YgqVzbrLYzLfjIPg9RiHKT-ncfTjNi82ACiQa0kILyx95ene1VZbYvFYmnHj0Qfny7ooItOG9INQUT9VaDrpOwhSw/s320/View+from+Hotel+Room.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our hotel room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjRE6UwOhFhk6jUCc4nuveRU5XwoxIGSA8lTLLGK0lDDZqZ7bwzFRmlzYbMgBaEV7kQIOjBpBiR_LjKHgBQ9IQZXoPMjbALbW5PqumcB1hHQwCNVj8uDNUvZJ6to4865SxddOGsNVYkCV/s1600/White+Bldg+at+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjRE6UwOhFhk6jUCc4nuveRU5XwoxIGSA8lTLLGK0lDDZqZ7bwzFRmlzYbMgBaEV7kQIOjBpBiR_LjKHgBQ9IQZXoPMjbALbW5PqumcB1hHQwCNVj8uDNUvZJ6to4865SxddOGsNVYkCV/s320/White+Bldg+at+Night.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night shot of one of the magnificent buildings in Riga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQoVDUILLfeCHL6eRTX8Uq5yAGZDSoWecjOspHhgR7d5pT2y4yqjhFErTYZ1TdFfCpcnJ_Q84_XnJ1XDxOzzzzuBjHuakQRtId14eUeqKh9NAGpAkpLCMte5PSTH_B5y0E2tB_hSZEvpp/s1600/XMas+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQoVDUILLfeCHL6eRTX8Uq5yAGZDSoWecjOspHhgR7d5pT2y4yqjhFErTYZ1TdFfCpcnJ_Q84_XnJ1XDxOzzzzuBjHuakQRtId14eUeqKh9NAGpAkpLCMte5PSTH_B5y0E2tB_hSZEvpp/s320/XMas+Market.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The edge of the Christmas Market in Dome Square, Riga.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I think you get the idea -- Riga is a fantastically beautiful city, certainly among the most splendid cities I've seen. Although the weather was daunting, I understand the streets and attractions are far more crowded in the pleasant summer season, so there was an advantage to our timing. </div>
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<div>
That brings you up to date. Thanks, as always, for your visit. I welcome your comments below. Do widzenia!</div>
<br />Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-73624197432274756812015-12-18T05:38:00.000-08:002016-06-06T04:03:39.142-07:00Hard Hats and Sculpture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2>
Hard Hats and Sculpture</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post focuses on two disparate events in recent days,
and could address a good deal more. Given the time, I would post every day to
report the many activities and discoveries that define our days here. However,
you don’t have the time to read all that, and I’m finding, just as in the U.S.,
work tends to cut into my day significantly.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
Protective Gear Required</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not often that teaching public relations requires hard
hats, safety vests and work boots, but last Friday was one of those days.
Something I never thought I’d have to ask from students is their shoe sizes,
but it was necessary in preparation for a visit to the construction site of
what will soon be the largest shopping mall in Poland. Dubbed “Poznania,” this behemoth
boasts 300,000 m2 (3.2 million square feet) of total surface area and 100,000 m2
(more than 1 million square feet) of leasable area. It will have 220 boutiques,
40 restaurants and 40 medium and large stores, and will be equipped with 4,000 indoor
parking spaces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I have become acquainted with Philippe, the project director
for Poznania, through the church we attend here (appropriately called Poznan
International Church). Philippe graciously invited me to bring my students for
a tour of the site. Because the project involves a French company, Eiffage
(Philippe is from France), undertaking this massive project employing almost
exclusively Polish construction workers and navigating Polish bureaucracy for
permits, approvals, inspections, etc., I thought the idea of a briefing and
tour had merit. I was not disappointed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKY9go-P2Ql8asm7PFWgJblWmoql8IbJqEk7tueW6Jc_JDuwfl9UVIlK1b_st6gL1Io4DyGQxo4OrXdLndEzrajYsR5bcVvkUm_gw_tznEyr5yTyyoKcpFnKA37bW_eSOhSC4PkJblFWT/s1600/DSCN0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKY9go-P2Ql8asm7PFWgJblWmoql8IbJqEk7tueW6Jc_JDuwfl9UVIlK1b_st6gL1Io4DyGQxo4OrXdLndEzrajYsR5bcVvkUm_gw_tznEyr5yTyyoKcpFnKA37bW_eSOhSC4PkJblFWT/s400/DSCN0306.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippe begins our visit with a briefing on the scope of the project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Philippe and his leadership staff began our visit with an
explanation of the scope and timeline of the project. The cornerstone was laid
in July 2014, and construction is on target for an August 2016 completion –
just over two years of construction. Philippe says there are roughly 2,000
employees and contractors working now, and that figure will reach 4,000 as work
intensifies in the coming months. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNA1eadoF88Pq5ifKyLnekBCacRsuhjY3Ui2k_kOmR7L63inVZxeiUvYHAe0CNzUneapUGbzKv5FblE0WxPJtlbljXmsN5fVqyCpKhy0krdKOstPlNXrFOMv7cz3f0mtYcqIM3umyzQbV/s1600/DSCN0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNA1eadoF88Pq5ifKyLnekBCacRsuhjY3Ui2k_kOmR7L63inVZxeiUvYHAe0CNzUneapUGbzKv5FblE0WxPJtlbljXmsN5fVqyCpKhy0krdKOstPlNXrFOMv7cz3f0mtYcqIM3umyzQbV/s400/DSCN0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philippe points out features of the mall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The interest for my students was double-faceted. For my
Internal Communication students, they focused on the efforts by Eiffage to
build a sense of community and identity among so many workers with varied
backgrounds and responsibilities working on a project of massive scale to a
looming deadline. For my International Public Relations students, they took
notice of the challenges of building that sense of community across cultures. Philippe
described in detail the difficulties in conducting critical meetings when
emotions can run high, trying to convey those emotions through interpreters.
Philippe said he and his French leadership team had developed a comprehensive organizational
plan before departing for Poland, then found they had to make extensive
adjustments in the actual circumstances in Poznan. For example, job titles were
easily translated from French to Polish, but there was not always shared
meaning regarding the parameters of responsibility for those job titles. The
discussion between my students and Philippe made for a most interesting
interchange.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We then donned our protective gear: hats, vests and boots –
all provided by Philippe. On a chilly, damp Friday morning, we trudged through
the rough construction site and into the labyrinthine, cavernous interior of
the structure. All around us, workers scurried up and down ladders, operated
construction vehicles, welded, bolted, drilled and hammered as each activity
moved the project slightly closer to completion. It’s hard to see appreciable
progress as it’s underway, but Robin and I pass the site frequently as it’s
near our apartment, and we have watched as the mall steadily takes shape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSaELhgAQ2zbxO53xgA2wCXdmOi2zPvGwArubXJl_3938tx3RZ-TKTquaRuhryEW6QcMgCHigtLaPHrfcrx01S8sgkS26ysqCHb_QFLM_I7F638SJxSuxkPU-_BopL5VAfpLWx70p49C3/s1600/DSCN0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSaELhgAQ2zbxO53xgA2wCXdmOi2zPvGwArubXJl_3938tx3RZ-TKTquaRuhryEW6QcMgCHigtLaPHrfcrx01S8sgkS26ysqCHb_QFLM_I7F638SJxSuxkPU-_BopL5VAfpLWx70p49C3/s640/DSCN0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of the mall is taking shape, and we can discern the layout of walkways and shops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs0ypvUcyBvhYpuphXsEdPfYiO5y0OmVF7KVSmOw9zWKMFE5795PnpwOn5RIfmHJgvwlpPH8tHSlH7wcUJaiJOYi6J9KYge8QZpcPou3IpB2W7peqVW1W2Z8hQdxLvxFJ_PTArWCdeLjs/s1600/DSCN0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZs0ypvUcyBvhYpuphXsEdPfYiO5y0OmVF7KVSmOw9zWKMFE5795PnpwOn5RIfmHJgvwlpPH8tHSlH7wcUJaiJOYi6J9KYge8QZpcPou3IpB2W7peqVW1W2Z8hQdxLvxFJ_PTArWCdeLjs/s400/DSCN0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students pose in what will become one of eight movie theaters in the mall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I must stress that this visit was voluntary for the students; it was outside normal class time. In fact, it occurred on a Friday, traditionally a free day for the students when they can catch up on their demanding course work or perhaps travel. Nevertheless, about 25 of my students elected to participate, and I believe they found it to be a fascinating and valuable experience. That's a reflection on their commitment to professional development.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32kdxWIVvkkWcdvp6TY-wtKsjD4WjgGHxx9jEEAheLMWItUCMHYlPFoqEEtnWDj_NU2awCfGdiaysdjUxU_tk58goxRtf8mfBL8QT7oJxTtwwH3S-AWJ9Ov64q3Sr_2KuKwaRZkksYSpx/s1600/DSCN0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32kdxWIVvkkWcdvp6TY-wtKsjD4WjgGHxx9jEEAheLMWItUCMHYlPFoqEEtnWDj_NU2awCfGdiaysdjUxU_tk58goxRtf8mfBL8QT7oJxTtwwH3S-AWJ9Ov64q3Sr_2KuKwaRZkksYSpx/s400/DSCN0327.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The design includes sweeping balconies that will feature coffee shops where customers can enjoy a beverage while observing mall activity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Disappointingly, the mall is slated to open about a month
after we return to Charlotte, North Carolina, but I’m sure we’ll return to Poznan in the
years ahead. It will be interesting to walk the marble floors (huge boxes of
marble tiles were scattered throughout the interior of the construction site)
and recall the skeletal beginning of the mall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
Chipping Away</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An unusual event in Poznan this past weekend was an
international ice carving competition. National teams from around the globe
converged on the Stary Rynek (Old Market Square) to vie for recognition as the
best in the world in several categories of ice carving. With temperatures
hovering just above freezing, carvers used tools that shaved, shaped, melted
and re-froze their ice blocks. In one competition, carvers were briefly shown a
drawing of an object (typically a Disney-like character) and had 25 minutes to
recreate the figure in ice in 3-D. The crowning event lasted several hours on
Sunday evening when each team created the sculpture of its choice. Of course,
such an event draws crowds, and the attraction was amplified by an outdoor
Christmas market in the square along with concerts and displays.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, without further commentary, are photos and links to short
videos of the event.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQZ0BXbJDck267XPMJICRww6QZnBZgZXowBamycqVD5JftVkxI0sKwDl-xdJLz6Urrr6WbWAYQp_iHr1hN3r_cPe8QTdcEwkoZ-eScUC7aPg6hWEH846dsZLq-2YJ9F_7RD5gSibosydC/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQZ0BXbJDck267XPMJICRww6QZnBZgZXowBamycqVD5JftVkxI0sKwDl-xdJLz6Urrr6WbWAYQp_iHr1hN3r_cPe8QTdcEwkoZ-eScUC7aPg6hWEH846dsZLq-2YJ9F_7RD5gSibosydC/s400/IMG_1304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowds brave the chill to watch the carvers at work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrdID1tt9iKy9wLAUZZYlXcSnNrBWFD4gPEWoAd4S_yhpPbbtXPHGmz3ABzsSpUlyXX8pOQ2aHMeh6BLtORd6fJP0qZAJ1XOXtrsSXkAPN7-gapKb__RByt82J8EEl0eEXcHOEMj2Gfqp/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrdID1tt9iKy9wLAUZZYlXcSnNrBWFD4gPEWoAd4S_yhpPbbtXPHGmz3ABzsSpUlyXX8pOQ2aHMeh6BLtORd6fJP0qZAJ1XOXtrsSXkAPN7-gapKb__RByt82J8EEl0eEXcHOEMj2Gfqp/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team from the Philippines in action.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCHpS2K3mRrY6ke2FCJGs2SiKrwLlCk438m0NXTZZNpOahq2TQTHUyN-R32Hpe11RWFJVxRWA3v3h_Hzul3Hnu4P1YrwDVPr_EcuwUe4k7884yOWRgl6HcTAlYevn2UiaGqHGobIRMjSt/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCHpS2K3mRrY6ke2FCJGs2SiKrwLlCk438m0NXTZZNpOahq2TQTHUyN-R32Hpe11RWFJVxRWA3v3h_Hzul3Hnu4P1YrwDVPr_EcuwUe4k7884yOWRgl6HcTAlYevn2UiaGqHGobIRMjSt/s400/IMG_1293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japan's team.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlbwP9Pe2x1P8dVj_yuEM2SqakW5MqMDTAvMGxBdHBC3Z58A2JgZxt48TJR9sidUAKeCUIMnnMOdN9dDUenssDNYr-wjBXR_i8DyQ2Sr1armEqU3OB7MWknYM-o4ExsjqD2R2pVaApIiS/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlbwP9Pe2x1P8dVj_yuEM2SqakW5MqMDTAvMGxBdHBC3Z58A2JgZxt48TJR9sidUAKeCUIMnnMOdN9dDUenssDNYr-wjBXR_i8DyQ2Sr1armEqU3OB7MWknYM-o4ExsjqD2R2pVaApIiS/s640/IMG_1299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful setting for the Christmas market.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBwWDg1OsFpCHWsqE9ilDQSazMtMyN8BopKpQbiCA-YalA4rNMXBECPN8d_l_kW2yGBp5iTDtRwYycBUn1oJTHzV1l5zn37L83J8kmWtQ-6UqrAXG06IDevNZAThcSv1qZRLMAMEHvvLV/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBwWDg1OsFpCHWsqE9ilDQSazMtMyN8BopKpQbiCA-YalA4rNMXBECPN8d_l_kW2yGBp5iTDtRwYycBUn1oJTHzV1l5zn37L83J8kmWtQ-6UqrAXG06IDevNZAThcSv1qZRLMAMEHvvLV/s400/IMG_1311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly finished.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_zNpDWg8Nu_Tq5d9q9COdDX4kNcpU3xGe88aDlN3M4gwIyOGjgSeE-VoaJrvvNZQYbDY7FJEvDbFbKyr-VDIyxIpC1ltm4WL__U3XPqb8D0VlpmzZVujAAZ2ZnXjUgCbrzVdSLXVdPDW/s1600/IMG_1320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_zNpDWg8Nu_Tq5d9q9COdDX4kNcpU3xGe88aDlN3M4gwIyOGjgSeE-VoaJrvvNZQYbDY7FJEvDbFbKyr-VDIyxIpC1ltm4WL__U3XPqb8D0VlpmzZVujAAZ2ZnXjUgCbrzVdSLXVdPDW/s400/IMG_1320.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative lighting enhances the effect.</td></tr>
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And here are links to three short videos of the event, each less than two minutes long:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/9f0hvt5nu9y4baf/MVI_1302.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">The U.S. team working on its sculpture</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/eh3zs25x0v4zy0x/MVI_1303.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">A sweeping view of the competition</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/njt8acbr5hnrdlb/MVI_1301.MOV?dl=0" target="_blank">An a cappella men's choir performing alongside the sculptors</a>.</li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's it for this edition of my blog from beautiful Poznan. Thank you for your virtual visit. Do widzenia!</div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-11773971803823674242015-12-08T04:19:00.000-08:002016-06-06T04:03:56.503-07:00A Fulbright Thanksgiving and an Update on Teaching<h2>
A Fulbright Thanksgiving and an Update on Teaching</h2>
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<h3>
Polish Hosts Embrace a U.S. Tradition</h3>
Thanksgiving is, of course, a U.S. holiday, at least on November 26 this year, and the day is a normal workday here in Poland. Thanks to the Polish Fulbright Commission, however, U.S. Fulbrighters in Poland were treated to a splendid celebration in Warsaw that I'm sure rivaled any similar events in the United States. About 20 Fulbrighters serving in Poland converged on an elegant restaurant in the heart of Warsaw on that Thursday for the traditional feast of roast turkey and all the customary accompaniments. Added guests included Fulbright Commission staff who orchestrated the event, Polish Fulbright alumni, Polish government officials including the Minister of Science and Higher Education (a cabinet-level appointee), and officials from the U.S. Embassy, including the Deputy Chief of Mission.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTxzetUrOcTG7yw7wuLQgZ3UkodT34o-UmsDlKq2h1IHkKlzqRLnZcX9_rtJEoDU6O0rtwucgZM8fIzOuTmIZ1Z9jPXrwqT5TEppf6w6JUIOQL7tYgCqHAS36rdZ4jyaeOWmBbC8pb55B/s1600/DSCN0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTxzetUrOcTG7yw7wuLQgZ3UkodT34o-UmsDlKq2h1IHkKlzqRLnZcX9_rtJEoDU6O0rtwucgZM8fIzOuTmIZ1Z9jPXrwqT5TEppf6w6JUIOQL7tYgCqHAS36rdZ4jyaeOWmBbC8pb55B/s400/DSCN0288.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Polish chef prepares to carve the Thanksgiving turkeys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TJouNueiAyny35AjAxz8oPAjdzIBJo1EUtDPGWW69zzyATEZyGDhzxEtHFrSifV2Q1PCk9PovT6thEUa38dJeBI0L-9fGfhO9mNosLNSGv_12Z-ErhoP-ecMblKbUYgRdmpdoZFcYw-Z/s1600/DSCN0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TJouNueiAyny35AjAxz8oPAjdzIBJo1EUtDPGWW69zzyATEZyGDhzxEtHFrSifV2Q1PCk9PovT6thEUa38dJeBI0L-9fGfhO9mNosLNSGv_12Z-ErhoP-ecMblKbUYgRdmpdoZFcYw-Z/s400/DSCN0289.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guests enjoy socializing before sitting down to the traditional Thanksgiving feast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO1nfQQKgS7DDOcYR0fkAzA94IKycac4DcGG0FTaYdRxKyF_HpeelHXrmR4NVqPl9p7qKmKK3gNm6VSbYyUGqt6S3vSjbtRVZ6Mv9cvlxO_QAgqQ_PXKhyxfIyjpg3ZmuGQhYjvmtrR5u/s1600/DSCN0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPO1nfQQKgS7DDOcYR0fkAzA94IKycac4DcGG0FTaYdRxKyF_HpeelHXrmR4NVqPl9p7qKmKK3gNm6VSbYyUGqt6S3vSjbtRVZ6Mv9cvlxO_QAgqQ_PXKhyxfIyjpg3ZmuGQhYjvmtrR5u/s640/DSCN0290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb service in an elegant setting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Robin and I rode the train from Poznan to Warsaw that Thursday morning (3 hours), arriving comfortably in time for the 2 p.m. banquet. It is always a delight to gather with other Fulbrighters and compare our experiences in various cities in Poland, and the event also afforded the opportunity to make new friends. Robin and I opted to stay in fascinating Warsaw through Saturday. Although we have visited the city previously, there is always more to see and experience. Our focus this time was a visit to the recently completed <a href="http://www.polin.pl/en" target="_blank">Museum of the History of Polish Jews</a> -- a story that begins 1,000 years ago. It was yet another extraordinary sight. I spent close to four hours working through the well-designed museum and progressed only through the end of World War I. At that point, I was simply overwhelmed and could not absorb any more; even then, I had seen only about half the content. Completing the experience will require another visit to Warsaw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8anQ3Dzm5pObI2blj6TthuuMTaRC_fBFgFqGSZm7q2iK29R-_uYohfl18Gj6qYTW9AJHwqRKx21nxRGrXjD92T32FSEtmSqkdRAFIUZ2kwU1eNUVRgmEyLnXa16r8DNo4XFcSwI4ykv8M/s1600/DSCN0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8anQ3Dzm5pObI2blj6TthuuMTaRC_fBFgFqGSZm7q2iK29R-_uYohfl18Gj6qYTW9AJHwqRKx21nxRGrXjD92T32FSEtmSqkdRAFIUZ2kwU1eNUVRgmEyLnXa16r8DNo4XFcSwI4ykv8M/s400/DSCN0294.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A display in the Museum of History of Polish Jews.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70fWdsR3TYHY_J8cxZ198newnycu4SObblo-Zo_tP-ARAPsj7bjSJKqa1xO9AK8soWwEympvZ4ltzkXKK98ebcWtNa6ukMO468D6ohFzA-A0ZlUImYrPDk5rQ5w4Zt1jMLTE_rbMrFYjn/s1600/DSCN0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg70fWdsR3TYHY_J8cxZ198newnycu4SObblo-Zo_tP-ARAPsj7bjSJKqa1xO9AK8soWwEympvZ4ltzkXKK98ebcWtNa6ukMO468D6ohFzA-A0ZlUImYrPDk5rQ5w4Zt1jMLTE_rbMrFYjn/s400/DSCN0295.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the displays depicting the wooden synagogues that used to exist in large numbers throughout Poland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwZQEBRoTiQtv5wX3Wbf67xqk_RiGKlhhQT1aA6pM1pd7BYAB1aEV7jlOp8DdIbccpPCTRj5DudDK1v7UU_dJqSCk_w0hyATFL0txRFlvc2UPPSCuLTwnaHC95WdtZKoENLEPoF9PINV7/s1600/DSCN0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwZQEBRoTiQtv5wX3Wbf67xqk_RiGKlhhQT1aA6pM1pd7BYAB1aEV7jlOp8DdIbccpPCTRj5DudDK1v7UU_dJqSCk_w0hyATFL0txRFlvc2UPPSCuLTwnaHC95WdtZKoENLEPoF9PINV7/s400/DSCN0287.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vertiginous view of central Warsaw from our hotel window. The Central Train Station is at lower left, with an extensive shopping mall just beyond it (with the undulating glass roof). The older structure center right is the Palace of Culture, constructed in 1955 in the Socialist Classicist style. It now houses offices, cinemas, theaters, libraries and a university.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our visit to Warsaw included another Charlotte connection. Roman and Monika are friends of ours in Charlotte who are originally from Poland. Roman's brother, Mirek, and his wife Grazyna, live in Warsaw, and the connection to Roman and Monika was ample reason to invite us to a delightful dinner at Mirek and Grazyna's home. Once again, Polish hospitality shone as we enjoyed a wonderful evening of laughter and storytelling. As Grazyna said, it seemed as though we were old friends.<br />
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<h3>
Rewards of Teaching</h3>
We're now about 2/3 through the winter term, which began in September and will continue through early February. My two graduate classes (Internal Communication Management and International Public Relations) are progressing well, and I like to think my students are benefiting from the experience as much as I am. They're big classes for graduate level -- 45 in one class, 35 in the other. That compelled me to adjust my teaching style from the norm, but we're all making the adjustments. I try to combine lecture with class discussion and small group exercises so students have opportunities to experiment with fundamental principles and concepts through applied cases and situational challenges.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjEg7ZKr6M2rvx1UJ0oZ7WcLZKbp5bmi9EC8ChRbwI02z1kGPRR6fvGbO5NSyTpcus5-cz6j76XZ7nu8Aw_d8-K1sfynhLGOws7p1sWUIwqMIEB_TR9Z1G1n8MK9SLbj9XgmGRh03Yr6y/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjEg7ZKr6M2rvx1UJ0oZ7WcLZKbp5bmi9EC8ChRbwI02z1kGPRR6fvGbO5NSyTpcus5-cz6j76XZ7nu8Aw_d8-K1sfynhLGOws7p1sWUIwqMIEB_TR9Z1G1n8MK9SLbj9XgmGRh03Yr6y/s400/IMG_1263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students working through a small group problem in one of my classes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsb3rHEgbxf-yMZ7Nz1CTGvp7heRYixUgvfomMzwnmqoDYRdiR2lpiVXsIS6_URLk5k-DYu-gLrDbu_xXJnZcqDrTkOUoMVaRf48BrhILziwVhzErNfgl8dT9MEb6TOE8i9RgS9VdVym_/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsb3rHEgbxf-yMZ7Nz1CTGvp7heRYixUgvfomMzwnmqoDYRdiR2lpiVXsIS6_URLk5k-DYu-gLrDbu_xXJnZcqDrTkOUoMVaRf48BrhILziwVhzErNfgl8dT9MEb6TOE8i9RgS9VdVym_/s400/IMG_1264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students working through a small group problem in one of my classes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Nearly all my students are in Poznan under the <a href="http://www.erasmusprogramme.com/" target="_blank">Erasmus program</a>, an extensive European Union student exchange program. Consequently, they come from Spain, France, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and elsewhere. I also have students from Columbia, China, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan. They are here for just one semester, typically, and none has a thorough grounding in public relations before coming into my classes. That requires another layer of adjustment in my curricula, but it's working out well, and it gives me an extraordinary opportunity to provide future global leaders with an understanding of the role strategic communication can play in business, government, nonprofit and other sectors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTtOnWxpLAIsY8LvQpJqZgF_xkuFBgy0GSqAv3qo5NWXE1oN9LmPrTn3ipW7Bk8z7V7YkCTZ8wTrd9Z-8QQRgfikLmQRPC5rQPMZkCmyeMIyOv5UgMaab84dwR0xc6uIX7g5NCwjztlfR/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTtOnWxpLAIsY8LvQpJqZgF_xkuFBgy0GSqAv3qo5NWXE1oN9LmPrTn3ipW7Bk8z7V7YkCTZ8wTrd9Z-8QQRgfikLmQRPC5rQPMZkCmyeMIyOv5UgMaab84dwR0xc6uIX7g5NCwjztlfR/s400/IMG_1267.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students working through a small group problem in one of my classes.</td></tr>
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In addition to my regular classes, I'm often called upon to guest lecture in other classes. This afternoon (December 8), I'll teach two consecutive classes on public relations legal issues. Last Saturday, I led a 3 1/2-hour graduate seminar on international public relations for a dozen Polish working professionals pursuing their master's degrees through weekend courses. Next week Saturday, I'll teach a session on internal/employee communication for graduate students at another university here in Poznan. So I always seem to have plenty of items in my in-basket, but that's what makes this entire experience so great.<br />
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Finally, I will leave you with a short video Christmas greeting. As we're in Poland, Robin and I will not send Christmas cards this year, so I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas. The video reminds me of how proud I am of my Air Force background (22 1/2 years) and captures a bit of the spirit of the season. The U.S. Air Force bands are commanded by my friend Colonel Larry Lang - you'll see him conducting in this video. We worked together in Hawaii in the early 1990s, and it does not surprise me at all that he has risen to the top position. It also doesn't surprise me that he orchestrated the remarkable event showcased in this video. So please enjoy this 9-minute greeting. Merry Christmas, everyone!<br />
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-87852563692866043882015-11-20T06:51:00.001-08:002016-06-06T04:04:10.668-07:00Mozart, Soap and Dynamite<h2>
Mozart, Soap and Dynamite</h2>
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Welcome back to my blog from Poznan! Activities continue apace as leaves continue to fall and blustery, drizzly days signal the promise of winter weather approaching. This post touches on an event in Poznan and a weekend visit to the city of Bydgoszcz (find a Polish friend to pronounce this one for you). I'll begin with an evening of Mozart that reveals important aspects of Polish culture.</div>
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Mozart's Requiem</h3>
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This is a tale that speaks to the Pole's love of music, their strong faith and their welcoming warmth. It begins with an announcement on the Academy of Music website here that there would be a performance of Mozart's Requiem featuring full orchestra and choir on a recent Saturday evening. It would be held in a suburban Catholic church in Poznan. Robin and I extended an invitation to Danuta and Marek, who live here in Poznan, to join us for the concert. It gets a bit complicated here. We had never met Danuta or Marek, but we had a tenuous connection. There is a member of our church in Charlotte who has a brother living in St. Louis. That brother and his wife visited our church in Charlotte earlier this year on a Sunday morning, and we met them on that occasion. The brother's wife, as it turns out, is Polish and is from Poznan. We had a short but delightful conversation, and during the conversation, our new Polish acquaintance from St. Louis (but visiting Charlotte) promised to connect us with her parents in Poznan, Danuta and Marek. Still with me? Before leaving Charlotte for Poznan in September, I reached out to Danuta and Marek by e-mail, and they insisted we contact them when we arrived in Poznan. We did so, but we had not been able to coordinate getting together. The Mozart Requiem performance provided an opportunity.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A full choir and orchestra performing Mozart's Requiem</td></tr>
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I e-mailed Marek and Danuta, inviting them to meet us at the suburban church for the Mozart concert. Marek was traveling, but Danuta would be delighted to join us. I was unaware that Danuta was a graduate of the Academy of Music that would be performing and is a professional classical musician. I looked like a genius, but it was a complete coincidence. So we finally met not only Danuta, but her brother and another friend who joined us for the concert. Afterward, her brother invited us all to his home for a delightful casual supper, and we talked well into the night like old friends, despite some language challenges. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casual supper with our new Polish friends in their home following the concert.</td></tr>
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The evening illustrated several cultural aspects of Poland. One is the deep love and appreciation for great music. The church was full to the point of standing room only for this performance, and it was outstanding. Second, audience members had to wait to enter the church on this Saturday evening until the Mass was complete -- the church was also completely filled for that, leaving only a few minutes for the congregants to depart, the concert audience to enter and the orchestra and chorus to take their places. The vast majority of Poles faithfully attend church. Third, the evening reflected the warm Polish spirit as we U.S. American strangers with the most tenuous connection to Danuta and her brother were embraced and treated with generous hospitality.<br />
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Soap and Dynamite</h3>
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Robin and I are trying to take advantage of our time in Poland to explore the country through weekend excursions. Our most recent one took us to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bydgoszcz" target="_blank">Bydgoszcz</a>, a city less than two hours northeast of Poznan by train. It turned out to be another gem we might easily have overlooked. Even some of our Polish friends asked, "Why would you want to go to Bydgoszcz?" Like many cities in Poland, especially in the west, Bydgoszcz formerly went by its German name: Bromberg. With nearly 400,000 residents, it's a substantial city, situated on the Brda River. We found the Old Market Square and the old streets of Mill Island quite interesting, but I will highlight just two primary attractions that make Bydgoszcz unique. First, I can check off my bucket list a visit to the Museum of Soap. Look no further than Bydgoszcz for this quirky oddity. More than the history of soap, this museum traces the history of personal hygiene from the Roman Empire and before to current practice. If that's not enough to compel you to visit, the modest entry fee entitles you to make your own bar of soap in the museum's workshop.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin being schooled in the mysterious craft of soap making.</td></tr>
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The tour began, in fact, in the workshop where we were guided in selecting a mold to shape our bar of soap as well as choosing ingredients determining color, texture and fragrance. Our mixture was then placed in a refrigerator to cool and harden while we continued with the tour. We learned, for example, that during the Middle Ages, bathing was considered risky as it was associated with the plague. We also learned which countries eventually raised standards of personal cleanliness and which lagged far behind. I don't want to create an international incident here, so I'll keep that information to myself; you'll have to take the tour yourself if you want to know which countries are more fastidious in this department. Regardless, our bars of soap turned out beautifully.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide providing me with training in the use of a washboard, as if I didn't already have considerable experience!</td></tr>
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A much more somber and disturbing sight we visited in Bydgoszcz, and one that I highly recommend, is a facility with the unlikely name of "<a href="http://www.exploseum.pl/" target="_blank">The Exploseum</a>." What is open to the public is a small fraction of what was once a major manufacturer of TNT, nitroglycerin and smokeless gunpowder for the Nazis during World War II. That's disturbing enough, but the more horrifying fact is that this work was carried out by 40,000 slave laborers, mostly Poles, but also Hungarian Jews, who were forced to work under the most appalling and dangerous conditions with little or no protective equipment. The tour of this facility is not for the squeamish. Life expectancy in some sections of this vast complex was six months before the laborers would succumb to the effects of the toxic and corrosive chemicals. The 2-hour tour in English was illuminating if unsettling. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpagj4Ma0NYJT-8j3duacMr-29oioxOPVr_t1Ccr-vUO3tNiaJIXAOHXmEWUrqr9iBdBotqKprLXJ-4eFKzrhRfBExhMLqD8iHK-5vdLxJKaIVRUhIiOS74LB808Zo-4c2bP0zzXrAeM92/s1600/DSCN0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpagj4Ma0NYJT-8j3duacMr-29oioxOPVr_t1Ccr-vUO3tNiaJIXAOHXmEWUrqr9iBdBotqKprLXJ-4eFKzrhRfBExhMLqD8iHK-5vdLxJKaIVRUhIiOS74LB808Zo-4c2bP0zzXrAeM92/s400/DSCN0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide at the Exploseum describes the vast complex of the facility. A small yellow rectangle at the lower left of the board outlines the area that remains and is now open to the public.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ__Cg9JqESpG7t0CiUYp_J-3n_KvvkudxLvCMmPoMBCm0HAAqcHrNDUi0p_h5uxykuweYvpujpBYM9wKnO64pvXRQgItunJw_wZfG8YLflMGvQk2licO3FJVJc6Vrh1rAkaUspSDVA1u/s1600/DSCN0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ__Cg9JqESpG7t0CiUYp_J-3n_KvvkudxLvCMmPoMBCm0HAAqcHrNDUi0p_h5uxykuweYvpujpBYM9wKnO64pvXRQgItunJw_wZfG8YLflMGvQk2licO3FJVJc6Vrh1rAkaUspSDVA1u/s400/DSCN0263.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A complex network of tunnels connected hundreds of the buildings on the site. They were not for the passage of workers but rather for the safe transport, via pipes, of the toxic and explosive liquids involved in the manufacture of the explosives. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL5MWuW_8t73syk6w-QS_jjKhWw_YvDELy-j0jktAQTqVmVpocMsH4IXSwjpYBdSHwVg2rTB0xr_UZMax34LdJqtHYOYdoxzQpY0qUlSxtQG-AO9dGDZa4pqB8LZKWhNYUPv0HMu_nMYx/s1600/DSCN0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL5MWuW_8t73syk6w-QS_jjKhWw_YvDELy-j0jktAQTqVmVpocMsH4IXSwjpYBdSHwVg2rTB0xr_UZMax34LdJqtHYOYdoxzQpY0qUlSxtQG-AO9dGDZa4pqB8LZKWhNYUPv0HMu_nMYx/s400/DSCN0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This view of one of the buildings reveals how materials were transferred from one step in the process to the next (note the holes in the concrete floors). The rooms are designed so any explosion would be channeled outward and cause less interruption to the production process.</td></tr>
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The explosive manufacturing facility was concealed laterally by its placement deep in thick forest, and from the air by the planting of grass and other foliage on all the roofs. At its peak in 1944, it comprised more than 1,000 buildings, 250 miles of roads and 25 miles of railroad tracks servicing the operation. </div>
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You can view more of our photos from Bydgoszcz at this Dropbox site: <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/crrznsa288q5jon/AAAbDML4ZLg0wH7sKD4a18GYa?dl=0" target="_blank">Bydgoszcz Photos</a></div>
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Finally, I'll end this post by noting that our visit to Bydgoszcz permitted us to connect with two other Fulbrighters. Maria and Victoria recently completed their bachelor's degrees and were awarded highly competitive Fulbright fellowships as ETA's -- English Teaching Assistants. They are teaching at a university in Bydgoszcz and joined Robin and me for a fine dinner in a picturesque restaurant on the bank of the Brdo River during our visit. We'll see them again next week when Fulbrighters in Poland gather in Warsaw Thursday for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, courtesy of the Polish Fulbright Commission.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria and Maria join Robin and me for a delicious Polish dinner in Bydgoszcz.</td></tr>
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As always, thanks for visiting my blog. Do widzenia!</div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-24450090769812448242015-11-06T05:42:00.000-08:002016-06-06T04:04:24.714-07:00A Fulbright Gathering, Some Accordions, and a lot of Candles<h2>
A Fulbright Gathering, Some Accordions, and a lot of Candles</h2>
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U.S. Ambassador Paul Jones</h3>
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I have a number of events to report on in this issue, and I'll start with a visit to Poznan by the top U.S. diplomat in Poland, recently appointed <a href="http://poland.usembassy.gov/poland/ambassador.html" target="_blank">Ambassador Paul Jones</a>. Ambassador Jones, just recently sworn in by Secretary of State John Kerry, is posted in Warsaw, but spent the day October 28 in Poznan, primarily at <a href="http://international.amu.edu.pl/" target="_blank">Adam Mickiewicz University</a>, participating in a conference and meetings. One of those meetings was a gathering of current and former Fulbrighters, hence my attendance. That meeting brought together roughly 15 students and faculty members, the majority of whom were Polish scholars who had spent time on U.S. campuses through the Fulbright program. It was a chance for Ambassador Jones to see the positive impact of the Fulbright program on U.S./Polish relations and to appreciate the tangible results of these exchanges. One Polish scholar, for example, who had spent a season conducting research at the University of Notre Dame, said the experience completely shifted and refocused his understanding of and approach to research in his field (photochemistry), and it inspired him to help launch a laboratory in applied photochemistry in his home university in Poland. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fulbrighters meet with U.S. Ambassador Paul Jones (center, in dark suit with red necktie).</td></tr>
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I was the only U.S. Fulbright faculty scholar attending the meeting, but there were several great Fulbright student scholars from the U.S. who are serving here in Poznan. Generally, these students teach courses in English at various colleges and universities in the city. Also, to my surprise, there was an active-duty U.S. Air Force officer attending the meeting. He is in Poznan under an <a href="http://www.olmstedfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Olmsted Foundation</a> program that supports active duty military members pursuing advanced degrees internationally. This Air Force member is completing a doctorate with Adam Mickiewicz University here in Poznan. How nice and unexpected to find a fellow Air Force member here!</div>
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Some Accordions</h3>
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I've posted before (and will continue posting!) about the wonderful concerts conducted frequently in the Aula Nowa of the Academy of Music here in Poznan. Last week, I could not resist attending a concert featuring accordions. In the U.S., it's an instrument associated with polka bands and perhaps French and Italian bistros. On this evening, though, the accordion was convincingly presented as a versatile and inspirational classical instrument capable of a wide-ranging repertoire. The men and women who played, students in the Academy, quickly dissipated any preconceived notions I might have had of tedious renditions of "Lady of Spain." In trios or solos, sometimes supported by other orchestral instruments, the performances were captivating and highly impressive. The concluding piece was performed by nine accordionists backed by percussion, a bassoon and a flute (I can't imagine there is a large library of music composed for such an ensemble!) and genuinely rocked the house. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopE4wD70R4eIPdqV8aMnDM7d3gHgIyfHfaRGHQJix2ajzzZ2_0AymodcSnmIRUoufjJmlQrGoLijEHOiVNrUtCviSJrc-cHlc7Mj7paLKMOqObi2Py7gYq1QoRAwQTTdFrJYUbvjnnmMK/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopE4wD70R4eIPdqV8aMnDM7d3gHgIyfHfaRGHQJix2ajzzZ2_0AymodcSnmIRUoufjJmlQrGoLijEHOiVNrUtCviSJrc-cHlc7Mj7paLKMOqObi2Py7gYq1QoRAwQTTdFrJYUbvjnnmMK/s400/IMG_1270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One accordion piece (plus strings) included choreography.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtqSYKEdZNmfVsKewQEQwlEbI6u-UyCDjj8Asg19Czt2F5qrMPlhVfZ02LxOjZ0FWKnWBrVYaAOyL01DbB35A2wDefNFp-Wl1mJ7pjGS1rrbjY0mMi2uBdO-OnCpL5RMJ91hX1J19-0If/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtqSYKEdZNmfVsKewQEQwlEbI6u-UyCDjj8Asg19Czt2F5qrMPlhVfZ02LxOjZ0FWKnWBrVYaAOyL01DbB35A2wDefNFp-Wl1mJ7pjGS1rrbjY0mMi2uBdO-OnCpL5RMJ91hX1J19-0If/s640/IMG_1271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine accordionists plus other musicians combined for an impressive composition.</td></tr>
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I had not previously seen the style of instrument most musicians played. I'm more familiar with an accordion with buttons for chords on the left hand and traditional piano-style keys on the right. These, however, featured buttons on both hands. As a reed instrument, this makes sense -- borrowing more from the oboe or the clarinet. Regardless, it was an impressive evening, and it considerably expanded my impression of the virtuosity required to master this instrument.</div>
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Candles, Candles, Candles</h3>
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This past weekend marked Halloween, and in the U.S., this has become a much larger holiday than I recall from my youth. Additionally, the event has transitioned from a mild opportunity for kids to dress up as football players or ballerinas into a celebration of the dark, sinister and macabre. In terms of focus on decorations and merchandising, Halloween is threatening to eclipse Christmas. This is not the case at all in Poland, and it provides an excellent opportunity to highlight a stark difference between the two cultures.</div>
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There was some acknowledgement here in Poland of Halloween, and I saw a handful of people that night in costumes -- exclusively a few college students on their way to or from parties. Overall, though, Halloween is barely a blip. Here, instead, the focus is on November 1 rather than October 31, and it's one of the most important holidays of the year, earning a rare 3-day weekend. November 1 is All Saints Day. On this day, Poles honor their ancestors who have passed. Commercial activity ceases, and families visit the graves of their relatives, even if that means traveling long distances. <br />
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Respect for the deceased is manifest in the placement of flowers and candles on grave sites. For weeks before All Saints Day, stores feature special displays of elaborate, votive candles and candle holders. Flower shops and kiosks dramatically increase their inventories as the day approaches. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglczJll6_jiT8wv3cgNaiuL4rXyPIkmRR8UX3cdIlfKwKDj8JkmCiWNDaxGVwi30d4hfr59u62HO-EMxRFIC9WMxleeAxnd66BegO2m6iwpETzHuZQ0UClGrjh3JTZEGbvEJiR52H_8Cgo/s1600/DSCN0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglczJll6_jiT8wv3cgNaiuL4rXyPIkmRR8UX3cdIlfKwKDj8JkmCiWNDaxGVwi30d4hfr59u62HO-EMxRFIC9WMxleeAxnd66BegO2m6iwpETzHuZQ0UClGrjh3JTZEGbvEJiR52H_8Cgo/s400/DSCN0166.JPG" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polish families and individuals head to cemeteries at dusk on November 1, All Saints Day, to honor deceased relatives.</td></tr>
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On Sunday evening, November 1, Robin and I visited one of the largest cemeteries in the area, Park Cytadela, situated on the site of Fort Winiary, a 19th century fortification built by the Prussians who occupied the region at that time. The 100-hectare (250 acre) park includes a number of distinct cemeteries, most of which are related to various conflicts. On this cool but pleasant evening, the effect was mesmerizing. Hundreds and hundreds of people meandered reflectively through the gravestones, placing bouquets and candles on and around each headstone. There were families, individuals and small groups solemnly commemorating All Saints Day in this moving display of reverence. It was astonishing to watch even groups of teens seeking out headstones that were not adorned and placing candles and flowers upon them. It didn't seem to matter whether the visitors knew the deceased; the point was to remember their lives and sacrifices. Many of the graves mark the remains of soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. There are graves of Poles, Russians, Germans and others. On this day, their nationality did not matter. All graves were honored.<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV67L5j8Ze6DdDkyG7DIfqpvfKgn1KFj652Wl3SAHzMcvtn0gzS0YDsHUwcXVOEiJyYpVnueNaEN6nBiKJucTSLvUh5L-7vUDkJgiYD2farnHYjtKBp1H2FqK1wxIUD5-iiEaXPrgWIPk0/s1600/DSCN0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV67L5j8Ze6DdDkyG7DIfqpvfKgn1KFj652Wl3SAHzMcvtn0gzS0YDsHUwcXVOEiJyYpVnueNaEN6nBiKJucTSLvUh5L-7vUDkJgiYD2farnHYjtKBp1H2FqK1wxIUD5-iiEaXPrgWIPk0/s400/DSCN0173.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headstones are decorated with flowers and candles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHG7lamqMO9H38HuyyO4gIIX8hLxdPbybuK7JZj8EAJKGPwFyUA45nflVKht7fg5blEOHqN4ugtYbuEjLmXEHkezjUjoRJDxfNkkJ6HaT3hnwZatY4E1R8GemToC-3P7RJDaOEBBDuxUQ/s1600/DSCN0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHG7lamqMO9H38HuyyO4gIIX8hLxdPbybuK7JZj8EAJKGPwFyUA45nflVKht7fg5blEOHqN4ugtYbuEjLmXEHkezjUjoRJDxfNkkJ6HaT3hnwZatY4E1R8GemToC-3P7RJDaOEBBDuxUQ/s400/DSCN0175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children are included as parents demonstrate the importance of remembering lost relatives and others.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDt9Kn4l0UqfM2FlJjjiLq1O9VY6CAV4Bewcezsw-OmH_FKVExZDb4QR46lUiiYDf4PKL5k1Nl5Am2VhW5CP9W1hECgOj-kt5d7fWglpKTBPOfNmeKakoKtNsYXAtunp_Ghy5_2iNp8ME/s1600/DSCN0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDt9Kn4l0UqfM2FlJjjiLq1O9VY6CAV4Bewcezsw-OmH_FKVExZDb4QR46lUiiYDf4PKL5k1Nl5Am2VhW5CP9W1hECgOj-kt5d7fWglpKTBPOfNmeKakoKtNsYXAtunp_Ghy5_2iNp8ME/s400/DSCN0179.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grave of a British soldier, age 30, killed in 1941, remembered by the Poles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRk2f2LY8nyMw70sIi2zAkIRwodsE0EK5UUecYCXy80eKKN7dXt-5XjNanb8-jLyreonf2J_jqbyKru-QkS_-W6i9k6UqeClaLgw97f1-UA_u_lZay7-kUQuRycBgx8DTWWMtNSoFnlqk/s1600/DSCN0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRk2f2LY8nyMw70sIi2zAkIRwodsE0EK5UUecYCXy80eKKN7dXt-5XjNanb8-jLyreonf2J_jqbyKru-QkS_-W6i9k6UqeClaLgw97f1-UA_u_lZay7-kUQuRycBgx8DTWWMtNSoFnlqk/s400/DSCN0180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reflective quality of the evening is somber and peaceful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP_j5T5V9V4_HELOtJ6_4dGB74PV6GmDmrNdvvGUN8pQVCdUJt9vU9sFjdSGTLhyMjfP7tA0iIXqAH34rv1U6AdMSWi6uzOcLgorbgNBpN11txOaD67XcvrVuu4C7cYgIvwWR5pdOXxCz/s1600/DSCN0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP_j5T5V9V4_HELOtJ6_4dGB74PV6GmDmrNdvvGUN8pQVCdUJt9vU9sFjdSGTLhyMjfP7tA0iIXqAH34rv1U6AdMSWi6uzOcLgorbgNBpN11txOaD67XcvrVuu4C7cYgIvwWR5pdOXxCz/s400/DSCN0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Polish man, in his early 20s and probably killed in the war in 1945, is honored.</td></tr>
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How different from the holiday being celebrated in the U.S. <br />
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That's it for today. Thanks, as always, for your visit. Do widzenia!Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-56145347473632390832015-10-27T04:41:00.001-07:002016-06-06T04:04:57.083-07:00A Concert, an Opera and a Train Trip<h2>
A Concert, an Opera and a Train Trip</h2>
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The past 10 days have been quite eventful as we become increasingly comfortable in Poland and eager to experience all it has to offer. This post describes several events that illustrate the multi-faceted opportunities available to us here.</div>
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Academy of Music Inaugural Concert</h3>
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Associated with the Poznan University of Economics, where I am teaching, is the Akademia Muzycna, or Academy of Music. On Friday, October 16, its symphony orchestra performed the year's inaugural concert in the <a href="http://amuz.edu.pl/eventplace/aula-nova/" target="_blank">Aula Nova</a>, or New Hall, just across the street from the building in which my office is located. The facility is stunningly beautiful and elegantly designed. The 75-piece student orchestra is exceptionally gifted with young talent of the highest caliber. I played French Horn in a number of orchestras and symphonic bands for several decades, and I know I would not have auditioned successfully for such an ensemble! Bedecked in formal attire, poised and professional in every respect, the orchestra performed magnificently. No wonder the hall was packed, with standing room only for many patrons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHp1_nX-_q1yZbyYm7BsKAhjDoAArudiFY9WohAuBa9Vdn73zMXW7Od7lbolAT9Q85iUBZ1jlfTfUbsvbNpqMTuSSa6KmvZJNqkIzcwo3__nBINRUFEubsQIL0xvlIz5jVor3wJz-M5DT/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHp1_nX-_q1yZbyYm7BsKAhjDoAArudiFY9WohAuBa9Vdn73zMXW7Od7lbolAT9Q85iUBZ1jlfTfUbsvbNpqMTuSSa6KmvZJNqkIzcwo3__nBINRUFEubsQIL0xvlIz5jVor3wJz-M5DT/s320/IMG_1230.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Aula Nova in Poznan</td></tr>
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The first piece was a symphony written by a local composer. I must admit I'm a more traditional musician, and this piece was a bit too experimental for me. Nevertheless, it showcased some of the talented performers in the orchestra, and the audience was appreciative. Next, the stage was rearranged slightly to introduce a concert grande piano downstage center. A young man took his position at the keyboard and, supported by the full orchestra, performed Rachmaninoff's <i>Piano Concerto Nr. 3 in D Minor</i>, one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the standard classical repertoire. His performance was stunning. Thunderous applause demanded three curtain calls from this superb pianist, leading finally to an encore performance -- Chopin, of course. After all, this is Poland!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FixMRpZJcYrGCR-j7dTd6w3_FMKyveW7Syk0V_UQTxi7vzYP7UK9Ra_-cIe5mvltZPWrkzl-IlCv3XBzZOKUAIrUvizgDdhn5IYwkULciYXZgleR9Sm0XVLW5cgVU-xudlSBEPOhOVKh/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FixMRpZJcYrGCR-j7dTd6w3_FMKyveW7Syk0V_UQTxi7vzYP7UK9Ra_-cIe5mvltZPWrkzl-IlCv3XBzZOKUAIrUvizgDdhn5IYwkULciYXZgleR9Sm0XVLW5cgVU-xudlSBEPOhOVKh/s320/IMG_1231.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The audience eagerly awaiting the start of the concert</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_puLI1RHDFly0jUFFfbdBuzp7Rapji7qHyxQR38X2yT291ykLegD6mXbYkZ6yfj2YqjdnTByVNRx2cDJv4G9Y2CEEJw6EqzEhlUsw60ABGXX1TjmURqfa2BGDe56P1zl0tddj4Dg8zKt/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_puLI1RHDFly0jUFFfbdBuzp7Rapji7qHyxQR38X2yT291ykLegD6mXbYkZ6yfj2YqjdnTByVNRx2cDJv4G9Y2CEEJw6EqzEhlUsw60ABGXX1TjmURqfa2BGDe56P1zl0tddj4Dg8zKt/s320/IMG_1232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">The orchestra is in place, awaiting the conductor's arrival</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;">The evening's concluding piece was <i>Scherazade</i>, the symphonic poem by Rimsky-Korsakov, based on <i>One Thousand and One Nights</i>. The piece blends traditional Russian style with music of the East and provides a showcase for a number of orchestral instruments. Performers on flute, oboe, bassoon and, of course, strings, were featured and displayed artistic and technical mastery of their instruments. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a delightful Friday evening in Poznan!</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;">A Bit of Argentina</span></h3>
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;">The following evening, we attended a fine performance of <i>Evita</i> in the <a href="http://www.teatr-muzyczny.poznan.pl/" target="_blank">Teatr Musycny</a> here in Poznan. Teatr Musycny is housed in an older building, and the interior is somewhat reminiscent of London West End theaters. It appears to be organized at least partially as a repertory company, and the professional level of the performers is comparable to any major U.S. city. As impressive as the individual performances were, the staging of this opera was especially remarkable, making highly creative use of limited stage space for such an ambitious production.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlMQOdO0LWc0y0bdZ5gYiXFwM7-D99Kcs0G4r4SF8q4pSaQYKByhusR698ip_6MUEVooatcufitdEJXbRzRHqgy8H73EIREiLqUlWdne6XPFThbzWeEq5DP5C2XbEdHivBfTkF2N9Q4Q-/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlMQOdO0LWc0y0bdZ5gYiXFwM7-D99Kcs0G4r4SF8q4pSaQYKByhusR698ip_6MUEVooatcufitdEJXbRzRHqgy8H73EIREiLqUlWdne6XPFThbzWeEq5DP5C2XbEdHivBfTkF2N9Q4Q-/s320/IMG_1234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Teatr Musycny in Poznan</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">The performance was in Polish, but Robin and I are sufficiently familiar with the piece that no translation was needed. In fact, we had seen a very early production of </span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;">Evita</i><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 22.4px;"> in London around 1982, not long after it first opened there. It was remarkable to think, as I was enjoying the recent performance here in Poznan, that when I first saw the opera in London, it was very much in the context of the Cold War. As a U.S. Air Force officer then, my focus was very much on the geopolitical situation that defined the time. I'm sure it never occurred to me, as I was seated in that London theater in 1982, that a few decades later I would be enjoying the same opera in Poland!</span></div>
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Return to Szczecinek</h3>
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Last week, Robin and I made the 2 1/2-hour train trip north to <a href="http://www.szczecinek.pl/en/node/108" target="_blank">Szczecinek</a>, a city of around 40,000 situated on a lovely lake and surrounded by forests and farms. The importance of the area to me is that documents indicate my Great Grandfather Karl Freitag emigrated from here around 1880, arriving in the U.S. port of Baltimore and eventually finding his way to Milwaukee. He would have been in his mid-20s at the time, a tanner by trade. I can't imaging the courage it must have taken for him to make such a journey, knowing that a return was highly unlikely. Szczecinek was known as Neustettin then and was part of the German territory of Pomerania. Life was difficult for Poles in this region under German rule, even brutal at times, especially from 1939-45. At the end of World War II, the city returned to its Polish designation and identity, and nearly every vestige of German presence was erased. Consequently, I had no expectations of finding "long lost relatives." Still, the prospect of walking and exploring my ancestral grounds was magnetic.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJlvEneHlGZra2v2SK_tb5ASBc686KPazCTDCKbizMURrjTRwojh0MJEMwWHBXl9DUd3jIzS1WwLBxxK837b1JuJc4Pul2fljou_KLeputcw-CEc0FWjWeIgfAWz4lRHCDJpPJULB9Qzb/s1600/Central+Square+and+City+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJlvEneHlGZra2v2SK_tb5ASBc686KPazCTDCKbizMURrjTRwojh0MJEMwWHBXl9DUd3jIzS1WwLBxxK837b1JuJc4Pul2fljou_KLeputcw-CEc0FWjWeIgfAWz4lRHCDJpPJULB9Qzb/s320/Central+Square+and+City+Hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Central Square and City Hall, Szczecinek</span></td></tr>
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We spent several hours in Szczecinek's "Archivum," the repository of official documents, paging through collections of magistrate proceedings from the mid-19th through the early 20th centuries, but found no references to the Freitag family. Archivists were exceptionally helpful and tried their best to accommodate our search, but they explained that most official records -- such as birth, marriage and death certificates -- are maintained in the nearby city of Koszalin, essentially the county seat of the region. Looks like another family history search trip in our future.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6xzPSgPJjPN09RzmyhyphenhyphenTbShOzxc09f7sfdnjlzA0cT-IIhlo8oXWXWDoLy_1Aqe93-GbHOS72r_pKGoVWUBZMf1iSJFhFtkGt8Tqx6YWy4gfDqg4pGPy5CUojRS36Z32GrE7pRZTYI7f/s1600/Archivum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6xzPSgPJjPN09RzmyhyphenhyphenTbShOzxc09f7sfdnjlzA0cT-IIhlo8oXWXWDoLy_1Aqe93-GbHOS72r_pKGoVWUBZMf1iSJFhFtkGt8Tqx6YWy4gfDqg4pGPy5CUojRS36Z32GrE7pRZTYI7f/s320/Archivum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">A helpful employee in Szczecinek's Archivum helps with our search</span></td></tr>
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Anna, a curator at the Regional Museum in Szczecinek was delightfully helpful and provided a personal, guided tour of the museum's modest but fascinating collection. Anna holds a degree in film studies and spent a bit of time in New York City pursuing her deep interest in classic Hollywood films, especially those by Polish-born American director Billy Wilder. Anna was able to recount to us the remarkable sweep of history that defined Szczecinek and the surrounding region.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSylmV_X8keN9QqYLj6F9PpZJu62T49AuFvGgJceWmmcWhXo_vUpQ7kuEAiMcX8Up9UnkGZdwbNMYYd4FbH2Xq_KX7kJus2SD4ADHNGPR84WtbicPK3EFD2FdngHzeZRnMN0pWf7bmbNC/s1600/Documents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSylmV_X8keN9QqYLj6F9PpZJu62T49AuFvGgJceWmmcWhXo_vUpQ7kuEAiMcX8Up9UnkGZdwbNMYYd4FbH2Xq_KX7kJus2SD4ADHNGPR84WtbicPK3EFD2FdngHzeZRnMN0pWf7bmbNC/s320/Documents.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">Scanning through the delicate pages of 19th century city records</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;">We retrieved one document on line indicating that Karl Freitag's father, Gottlieb Freitag (my great, great, grandfather) was married in the church in </span>Hütten, a village a few kilometers outside Szczecinek, in 1852. Hütten reverted to its Polish name of Sitno in 1945. Last Saturday, I made the short trip from Szczecinek to Sitno/Hütten and found a tiny, peaceful village surrounded by rich, expansive farms. There is only one church in the town, but it was built in 1909. Nevertheless, it's reasonable to accept that the village church has always existed on the same piece of ground. To my delight, the church doors were open, and a young woman was inside preparing the church for Sunday worship services. She was genuinely interested in the purpose of my visit and explained that Sitno was her home. However, her husband was in Berlin working as there were simply no jobs in their home village. She hoped to join him soon in Berlin, but said it would be very sad to leave her village. I thought Karl Freitag must have faced similar circumstances 135 years earlier. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oK0rR0G_bOkBxUskqU1Kkfphtke18IA8YeT_Zq3hJCCRHI1ClVmDzVwOcV0fgkcm2N7uqXCpjC1IFrGu-a5s7ALnPk21utKdDPkgNUbq9h2DMoOP_sJFVT8NQjfX_KppBgOIe3Eki_29/s1600/Regional+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oK0rR0G_bOkBxUskqU1Kkfphtke18IA8YeT_Zq3hJCCRHI1ClVmDzVwOcV0fgkcm2N7uqXCpjC1IFrGu-a5s7ALnPk21utKdDPkgNUbq9h2DMoOP_sJFVT8NQjfX_KppBgOIe3Eki_29/s320/Regional+Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna describes some of the Regional Museum's artifacts</td></tr>
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So I learned a good deal about the area from which my ancestors originated, though nothing new about my forebears themselves. I'll have to keep working on that. Nevertheless, I can certainly report that Szczecinek is a delightful destination with much to offer. A lakeside resort town with a central pedestrian walkway and many attractive features such as historic architecture, important historical sites, fine restaurants and an impressive museum, Szczecinek is certainly worth a return trip or two.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh1G7SUe_1CufQG1Y9Hl8tkzfbY08m-Ljw2vOvsu4u5Jaq6FYvYrUT5pcH4ZUe_2SffRLrRrtRz50UJzE8EXAUQXVujFhEU142U6P4Pu3JFqU-jkZBzdDOg38sVBQ2xUYyvUaVGz1m9Y8/s1600/Outside+church+in+Sitno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHh1G7SUe_1CufQG1Y9Hl8tkzfbY08m-Ljw2vOvsu4u5Jaq6FYvYrUT5pcH4ZUe_2SffRLrRrtRz50UJzE8EXAUQXVujFhEU142U6P4Pu3JFqU-jkZBzdDOg38sVBQ2xUYyvUaVGz1m9Y8/s320/Outside+church+in+Sitno.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church in Sitno, constructed in 1909, likely on the site of earlier churches</td></tr>
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I've include a few photos in this post, but I've posted many more on Dropbox at these sites:</div>
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<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jgev3fkjuwon2qt/AACizxMqRvIO39yxvMYkZt_Ba?dl=0" target="_blank">Photos of Szczecinek</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xw9cudxzh0ktn3h/AAD-RaobDSZa_Bk4vryygtEKa?dl=0" target="_blank">Photos of Sitno</a></li>
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So that's a recap of events since my last post. In between these adventures, my classes continue to progress productively, and my students seem to be thoroughly engaged in the topics and activities introduced in each class. The perspectives I'm gaining from the dozen or more countries represented by these great students are invigorating. The weather has been chilly but sunny in recent days, and the charms of Poznan seem inexhaustible. Thanks for your visit to this blog, and I hope you will continue to return. Do widzenia! </div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-24964270797542936402015-10-16T05:05:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:04:40.831-07:00Higher Ed in Poland, an Italian Market, and a Search for Roots<h2>
Higher Ed in Poland, an Italian Market, and a Search for Roots</h2>
One month of the ten we will spend in Poznan is already past, and as we feared, the time is passing swiftly. I should clarify that I received a 9-month Fulbright fellowship (the maximum), but Robin and I tacked one week to our start date and three weeks following our end date to permit some "settle in" time at the beginning and some travel at the conclusion. Hence the confusing references to a 9-month fellowship and a 10-month stay in Poland.<br />
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<h3>
Classes and Curricula</h3>
My classes are progressing smoothly, though I have many more students than we anticipated. We expected about 20 students per class. However, I now have 45 students in my graduate International Public Relations course and 34 in my Internal Communication Management course. Of course, that necessitates adjustments in teaching style, and I have made those accommodations.<br />
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I was privileged to deliver my first guest lecture this week -- a 50-minute presentation on PR pioneer Edward Bernays, one of the most colorful figures of the 20th Century in the U.S. This was for an introductory PR course taught here at PUE by my colleague Dr. Waldek Rydzak. It's impossible to cover this topic in one session, so this was just part one; I'll return soon to complete the presentation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0epUxppqnjdZpp_tYMcrlb-tR_DhxnHBY_RDjP7QeU_zthXN1_eAwwQO9RTbrblvwG6c1OK9UyMqhu5jQYCAZ0C3-nF6dZL4zpsPtnREH0zTyb8jetSEYva2BJP1eeK4xq8mmrWSs-ax/s1600/Bernays+Lecture+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0epUxppqnjdZpp_tYMcrlb-tR_DhxnHBY_RDjP7QeU_zthXN1_eAwwQO9RTbrblvwG6c1OK9UyMqhu5jQYCAZ0C3-nF6dZL4zpsPtnREH0zTyb8jetSEYva2BJP1eeK4xq8mmrWSs-ax/s400/Bernays+Lecture+02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introductory PR students attending lecture on Ed Bernays</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3SWg9qFjGEEVcFLYmAMk5J63eM8yqCb8zG7VasPBIYQGsNmmgktO2EfDAsyek6rFOF9X-Ep5U0KkQe3N1WXTU02Z1o-2SjuV7ZwBAFyPA41T-_uG6xo1sCgRdBzQyRLnkxjnyhmExEGO/s1600/Bernays+Lecture+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3SWg9qFjGEEVcFLYmAMk5J63eM8yqCb8zG7VasPBIYQGsNmmgktO2EfDAsyek6rFOF9X-Ep5U0KkQe3N1WXTU02Z1o-2SjuV7ZwBAFyPA41T-_uG6xo1sCgRdBzQyRLnkxjnyhmExEGO/s400/Bernays+Lecture+04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freitag delivering guest lecture on Ed Bernays</td></tr>
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Unlike most higher education in the U.S., undergraduate students here follow a prescribed plan of courses as they work toward their degrees. The concept of selecting required courses from a menu of options and taking elective courses is not the case here. And the curriculum is rigorous. I spoke this week with a Polish undergraduate student and asked about her course load. This is her second year, and she rattled off the list of her current courses: economics, accounting, tax law, insurance, calculus for business, German and English. Graduate students pursue a similarly demanding agenda. A typical master's student in my class is taking (and I'm not making this up!):<br />
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<ul>
<li>European Union Tax Systems</li>
<li>Creative Industries</li>
<li>Human Resources Management</li>
<li>Electronic Commerce and Business</li>
<li>Strategic Management in the Polish Business Environment</li>
<li>Globalization and Regionalization</li>
<li>Retail Management</li>
<li>Internal Communication (my course)</li>
<li>Health and Safety</li>
<li>Cultural Differences in International Marketing</li>
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That's her course load for one term! In this case, the young lady is from Italy, taking her courses from Polish professors (except for me) in English. Typically, master's students are carrying 8-11 courses per term. I am humbled.</div>
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<h3>
Cheese, Sausage and Olives</h3>
There are often fairs, exhibitions and similar events going on in Poznan, and a few weeks ago there was an open market of gourmet food products from Italy. It was held in one of the city squares, Plac Wolności (Freedom Square). It made for a very pleasant stroll after work one afternoon. Of course, I was socially obligated to bring home some cheese, sausage and olive salad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRLi9Xm02ortGkT-MwevgiUIdZZKaZ7v4n-xJe4meiLUzACBTlgHTrl74y-z0W351-e4Ut5mz9ODBSbP3fSi63BOfun6v1hcL0cGGfAWhlMV-byvgz8E2MjFhnv_irFF_SnGF4O_mgj1q/s1600/Italy+Market+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRLi9Xm02ortGkT-MwevgiUIdZZKaZ7v4n-xJe4meiLUzACBTlgHTrl74y-z0W351-e4Ut5mz9ODBSbP3fSi63BOfun6v1hcL0cGGfAWhlMV-byvgz8E2MjFhnv_irFF_SnGF4O_mgj1q/s400/Italy+Market+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tent offered all types of olives and olive salads. The piles of red items on the near side are sun-dried tomatoes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuQg3B35OjdiyRe3VSwwKpqFMAvjcHu2e0GA7d-_FUQ4C6zy6vUsYgxYYmpku_XmCdrt30TGJjlERjHxf7eFEggnaL5JOG03v3mTIF9YWc58fatCk2pGIaQbzBwVuMlapgvSvLdNdWGWE/s1600/Italy+Market+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuQg3B35OjdiyRe3VSwwKpqFMAvjcHu2e0GA7d-_FUQ4C6zy6vUsYgxYYmpku_XmCdrt30TGJjlERjHxf7eFEggnaL5JOG03v3mTIF9YWc58fatCk2pGIaQbzBwVuMlapgvSvLdNdWGWE/s400/Italy+Market+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Italian cheeses were superb!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qn1h2Yum7sauYog2hepUa4O-bMn_Adgdl5PomSN-eKHZQhZjofASRlXkIKpnkAa3jpfFwtzSd66rr5LVFiYw0X8hibwpq897VmHdtJfWbI8jxN1PIcW7E3zztZNptzya4F3p2T6zkzSM/s1600/Italy+Market+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qn1h2Yum7sauYog2hepUa4O-bMn_Adgdl5PomSN-eKHZQhZjofASRlXkIKpnkAa3jpfFwtzSd66rr5LVFiYw0X8hibwpq897VmHdtJfWbI8jxN1PIcW7E3zztZNptzya4F3p2T6zkzSM/s320/Italy+Market+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vendors did a steady business over several weeks, and the agreeable weather helped.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Return to Family Soil</h3>
Next week, I will try to get all my class prep work done early as Robin and I have planned a very special trip departing on Wednesday. We're taking the train about 2 1/2 hours to the small city of Sczcecinek. Do not try to pronounce the name without proper medical training! With a population around 40,000, it would not ordinarily be a destination for U.S. visitors. However, the town is extremely special for this visitor.<br />
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My cousin Diane is our family's unofficial geneologist, and she has done extraordinary work tracing our family's roots despite the lack of documentation. The Internet has been a big boon to this type of endeavor, and a couple years ago Diane discovered evidence that our family originated in the German/Prussian city of Neustettin. In fact, she found records that indicate our Great, Great, Great Grandfather Gottlieb Freitag married Caroline Ring on November 21, 1856, at the Evangelische Kirche (Evangelical Church) in Hütten, a village connected to Neustettin. Further research revealed that in 1945, Neustettin returned to its Polish name of Szczecinek. A colleague here at PUE did some research on my behalf and learned that Hütten is now called by its Polish name, Sitno, and it's about 5 km (3 miles) from Szczecinek. Although my surname is German (it means "Friday"), our ancestral home is now situated in Poland. In fact, Poland essentially did not exist from 1795 through 1919; during that time, what is now Poland was divided among Germany/Prussia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Russia. The Treaty of Versailles ending World War I re-established Polish boundaries.<br />
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Diane's records indicate the Freitags immigrated to the U.S.probably in the 1850s, so it's likely that Gottleib and Carolina made that journey. So next week, at least one Freitag will return to the family's home soil. I will devote a subsequent blog post to letting you know what I discover. This is like a reality show.<br />
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I'll leave you with this link explaining 27 reasons why you should never visit Poland. Click on the image for the full explanation....<br />
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<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/annaneyman/27-reasons-you-should-never-visit-poland#.fiAk2P9Q7" target="_blank"><img alt="So some people like to believe Poland is beautiful." src="http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2015-02/23/6/enhanced/webdr02/edit-wide-3915-1424692591-4.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a><br />
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Thanks, as always, for your visit. Talk to you next time.<br />
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-25893898203490734362015-10-08T09:39:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:05:17.270-07:00My Host University<h2>
My Host University</h2>
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The Poznan University of Economics, my host for this academic year and during my 6-month Fulbright fellowship in 2012, has begun to feel like my second professional home. I'm as comfortable in my office here as I am at UNC Charlotte, and I feel the same strong allegiance to each fine institution. In some respects, it's hard for me to sense any real distinction between my responsibilities to the two universities.<br />
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My awareness of and connection with PUE began in 2005 when I received an e-mail from Dr. Ryszard <span style="line-height: 107%;">Ławniczak</span>, a public relations professor and thought leader in the discipline. I had not previously met Dr. <span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Ławniczak</span>, but he said PUE was hosting a conference on international public relations and asked if I would agree to be a keynote speaker for the event. He indicated he and his students had been using some of my published materials and thought I would be a good fit. The timing was perfect -- immediately following the 4-week course on international PR I would be teaching in London that summer. With a longstanding wish to visit Poland (which I'll explain in a subsequent post), I seized the opportunity. My wife and I flew from London to Krakow, then traveled by train to Poznan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMRJbwO-_bV8_53Ke2SoDUIBEwDHQkuZpUa9p28665iAaU44cRFoq3p2DNM98fxYfqsYnBN4Ltm7FFjsEAsCzpYAV92WdKcXoz8EKgyow5kkooGp3dKJxPKVvF9jCZle5127TyQLL_VHX/s1600/Poznan+Conference+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMRJbwO-_bV8_53Ke2SoDUIBEwDHQkuZpUa9p28665iAaU44cRFoq3p2DNM98fxYfqsYnBN4Ltm7FFjsEAsCzpYAV92WdKcXoz8EKgyow5kkooGp3dKJxPKVvF9jCZle5127TyQLL_VHX/s640/Poznan+Conference+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participants in the 2005 PUE International PR Conference. Dr. Ryszard <span style="line-height: 17.12px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ławniczak</span></span> is seated in the front row, third from the left. I am seated at the far right of the front row. My PR colleagues will likely recognize a number of the other scholars.</td></tr>
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That was the start of the now 10-year relationship I've enjoyed, and I believe and trust that the relationship will be amplified in the years to come. PUE comprises five main colleges ("faculties" in the direct translation from Polish): Economics, Commodity Science, International Business and Economics, Management, and Informatics and Electronic Economy. There are also independent academic units in foreign languages, law, and sports/athletics. PUE operates its own publishing house as well. My home department here falls under the College (Faculty) of Economics and is called<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Katedra Publicystyki Ekonomicznej i Public Relations </span><span style="font-family: "titillium_weblight";">or </span><a href="http://www.kpr.ue.poznan.pl/" style="font-family: titillium_weblight;">Department of Economic Journalism and Public Relations</a><span style="font-family: "titillium_weblight";">. It's home to nine full-time faculty, each with impressive credentials and records of scholarship. Let me introduce you to several department ("katedra") members:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmZSSoMo27x6z-arSo4FGBykh-6hGi3RgHH_pMZLN5wgeoLGX8w6noyd5XHnWLIV8KVTeBn2dwaPQ6oD30oVvnSltOgXF4HyUpQSszGGYdeQYA2X_mNd0Nkn0QcGOiUe7Yu53aWAgy3ma/s1600/Dorota+%2526+Barbara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmZSSoMo27x6z-arSo4FGBykh-6hGi3RgHH_pMZLN5wgeoLGX8w6noyd5XHnWLIV8KVTeBn2dwaPQ6oD30oVvnSltOgXF4HyUpQSszGGYdeQYA2X_mNd0Nkn0QcGOiUe7Yu53aWAgy3ma/s320/Dorota+%2526+Barbara.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Department office managers Dorota <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stępień (left) and Barbara Skiba</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.25em;">Barbara Skiba and Dorota </span>Stępień are office managers, though they are shared </span>between our department and one other, so demands on their time are relentless. Nevertheless, both Barbara and Dorota have been wonderful in helping me navigate the many challenges associated with learning new administrative systems. Dorota's English surpasses my Polish, so we communicate quite effectively, Barbara and I share German, so that is how we generally get our ideas across.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEYlSdQQv0If182rMWZJkpZeBUG2C40_2jnpJWevifwGEmtCE8qSqrjQB7qgF0mKMgrBTa9tjcp-ipEcjJNPMO89b4OZS3b1k14aZJYTPOc2Ujz-UobVT6UCGx3JFKTSvh4nhYs3TnzqH/s1600/Pilip+Kaczmarek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEYlSdQQv0If182rMWZJkpZeBUG2C40_2jnpJWevifwGEmtCE8qSqrjQB7qgF0mKMgrBTa9tjcp-ipEcjJNPMO89b4OZS3b1k14aZJYTPOc2Ujz-UobVT6UCGx3JFKTSvh4nhYs3TnzqH/s320/Pilip+Kaczmarek.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Filip Kaczmarek</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">Dr.
Filip Kaczmarek teaches courses related to his interest in developing nations,
especially ways in which communication can contribute to improving the human
condition within the context of advances in infrastructure and other economic
factors. Dr. Kaczmarek served for ten years as a member of the European Parliament in Brussels.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGEor7-nrH5pE_BHAAhPu4yW1ZzjgEtWi8wjHjxgex_L149VEcc19FDkSIJOxTlABKBCubs70pjj0QsvPsyu4E2QDYUvvdrpWCN2tcRQ3dgJFTdJLAuvjIr5Hmxjop_qNIJfvd1WTdPQD/s1600/Izabela+Janicka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGEor7-nrH5pE_BHAAhPu4yW1ZzjgEtWi8wjHjxgex_L149VEcc19FDkSIJOxTlABKBCubs70pjj0QsvPsyu4E2QDYUvvdrpWCN2tcRQ3dgJFTdJLAuvjIr5Hmxjop_qNIJfvd1WTdPQD/s320/Izabela+Janicka.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Izabela Janicka</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">Dr. Izabela Janicka specializes in teaching public relations messaging and product development in a strategic context. She previously taught German, and she is also very comfortable in English. Dr. Janicka rushed to my rescue when I was having difficulties creating the Moodle websites for the classes I'm teaching. I was so grateful she carved more than an hour out of her demanding schedule to navigate the barriers to getting my classes set up on the web platform. She also helped me decipher the touch-screen commands on the classroom lectern (all in Polish).</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">I have had nothing but warm and welcoming receptions from my colleagues here, and I don't think I've ever seen a harder working department.</span></div>
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<h3>
Passing of a Great Leader</h3>
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Before closing, I will comment sadly on the passing last week of a former boss for whom I retain the highest admiration and someone whose leadership style continues to influence me 25 years after I served on his staff and under his command. U.S. Army General John Galvin capped his 44-year military career with five years as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the top military figure for the (then) 16-nation European security alliance. It was my privilege to serve as director of media relations for the command (called Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe or SHAPE) in Belgium and as frequent press aide to Gen. Galvin during the critical final two years of his career, 1990-92. General Galvin passed away last week at 86 in Atlanta, Georgia.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ96gu4BuERhnBiXUJ8JLhqplRdDBe6lGkUisTG7_0WBwjOQ-yadyDMFqPRf58NkZOcWS_hC_B5Rh1ZkL75b-Ji2PqQtS8FfRH0PlLt_IXld5B-dt-95s9tQg-9-QkISabfI9R_dwgWxl/s1600/Galvin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ96gu4BuERhnBiXUJ8JLhqplRdDBe6lGkUisTG7_0WBwjOQ-yadyDMFqPRf58NkZOcWS_hC_B5Rh1ZkL75b-Ji2PqQtS8FfRH0PlLt_IXld5B-dt-95s9tQg-9-QkISabfI9R_dwgWxl/s400/Galvin.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Galvin at a news conference, Germany, 1990</td></tr>
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Here's a Washington Post article that captures a bit of General Galvin's extraordinary life: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/john-r-galvin-nato-commander-at-the-close-of-the-cold-war-dies-at-86/2015/09/30/e4245884-65fa-11e5-8325-a42b5a459b1e_story.html">September 30 commentary by Harrison Smith.</a> Please read about this remarkably gifted and driven individual. Yet despite his many accomplishments -- military leader, historian and author, college dean. artist, father and grandfather, global strategist, communicator -- the quality that was most striking to me was his genuine humility. That quality was manifest in many ways, but one significant aspect of it was the way he sought, found and nurtured the best qualities in those who served with him. He was a penetratingly acute judge of character who took time to nudge people around him along a path of personal and professional development toward significant achievement. He genuinely reveled in seeing those he mentored reach beyond themselves and do great things. </div>
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Think of how the world changed during just his last military assignment with NATO: the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the dissolution of the Soviet Union; the reunification of Germany; the first Gulf War; the seeds of conflict in what was once Yugoslavia; an attempted coup in Russia, the precipitous drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe and the re-purposing of NATO. He never had to worry about an empty in-basket! I watched him approach all these challenges analytically, pragmatically and decisively. What an incredibly wise man. Yet he always stayed firmly rooted in his humble beginning in Wakefield, Massachusetts. In fact, I returned with him on trips to the U.S. several times, coordinating media activities in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and elsewhere. A couple times, he built visits back to Wakefield into his agenda, and I was fortunate to observe him in that setting. He would proudly point out homes and recall which newspapers each home received -- he had delivered the papers as a young boy. One time we attended a ceremony at the high school he attended (now a junior high); the school was being renamed in his honor. Another time he was Grand Marshal of the town's modest Fourth of July parade. I think he took as much pleasure in those events as he did meeting with the heads of state of NATO member nations. I think he recognized that the values that served him well were nurtured in those early places, and those values underpinned his many life achievements. To the people in Wakefield, he was simply "Jack," and that suited him fine.<br />
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A few years ago, my wife, Robin, and I were traveling to Atlanta, so I contacted General Galvin and asked if we might drop in for a short visit. He and Mrs. Galvin would be delighted, he assured us, and their warm and gracious welcome confirmed that. He told me of the work he was doing, writing his memoirs, and proudly showed me the methodical approach he was taking, thanks to the hundreds of well-organized boxes of thousands of note cards he had maintained through his career. I'm afraid I don't know whether he completed the work. I proudly presented him with a copy of my book (<i>Global Public Relations</i>: <i>Spanning Borders, Spanning Cultures</i>), recalling that he had served briefly as an Army public affairs officer. He took keen interest in the book and went carefully through the contents, remarking favorably on the importance of its scope.<br />
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I guess that's the connection to this blog from Poland. General Galvin was one of the leading architects of Europe following the end of the Cold War. In those precarious months and years after the fall of "The Wall," he often said his most important role was as a communicator, and he approached that responsibility assertively. Twenty-five years later, it's hard to imagine the extraordinary challenge it was to prepare for and conduct media interviews of such weight and impact. He was the first SACEUR to travel to the former Warsaw Pact states and did so with energy and hopefulness. When we were in Budapest, Prague, Bratislava, and other capitals we had previously known only from maps, he was the face of the West, and he knew his words, gestures and expressions would set the tone for the years and decades ahead. I am so very grateful it was General Galvin undertaking that role. He was superb. Now, here in Poland, I'm observing and benefiting from the course he helped Europe chart in those critical years. Thank you, General Galvin. I'll try to make you proud.<br />
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The world has lost one of its great statesmen.<br />
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-71919067824722005062015-09-30T23:44:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:05:31.603-07:00The Pace Quickens<h2>
The Pace Quickens</h2>
After spending roughly our first week here in Poznan getting settled and making all the necessary preparations and arrangements for everyday life, our official activities have begun at rapid speed. I think I can tell the story best through photos for this post, so let me sequentially describe activities in recent days.<br />
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<h3>
First Day of Classes</h3>
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On Monday, I had my first class meetings with students, leading an 11:30 a.m. course in Internal Communication Management and a 1:15 p.m. course in International Public Relations. Each class is 90 minutes, so there is just a 15-minute break between classes. Fortunately, they are held in the same room. The classroom building is a magnificent new facility just recently completed, and the classroom itself is state-of-the-art. A bit distracting is the fantastic view of the castle across the boulevard, but I can electronically lower the window shades from my hi-tech lectern, so I can deal with that. </div>
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Because I'm teaching in English, my classes are particularly aimed at international students attending the university (for whom English is the common language). My classes are for graduate students, so their language proficiency is excellent. I'm disappointed that I have no Polish students in my classes, but I expect I will have other opportunities to work with Polish students, perhaps providing thesis and dissertation assistance. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOcYFnrFtbIOCB0cHPh8VdQKl2-win2YS4c-mJNPnVINB_Z4J91JF4g_YDE7sihKGJwf8BM4F9rlnCbQ0SRydsvh9ZzsBQxRFqDPtji5vWs53wYMRSZc1lgkElCCO-zvSFwm8gorXS2Ty/s1600/First+day+of+class+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOcYFnrFtbIOCB0cHPh8VdQKl2-win2YS4c-mJNPnVINB_Z4J91JF4g_YDE7sihKGJwf8BM4F9rlnCbQ0SRydsvh9ZzsBQxRFqDPtji5vWs53wYMRSZc1lgkElCCO-zvSFwm8gorXS2Ty/s320/First+day+of+class+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of class</td></tr>
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As has been my tendency for 20 years of teaching, I prepared far more material for each class than I could possibly present, but the students seemed quite engaged. I think many will return for the next class! </div>
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The challenge for me lies in finding the right level to pitch my material given the extraordinarily varied backgrounds represented by the students. Not only do they come from Spain, France, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and elsewhere, but they come from varying disciplines such as human resources, management, finance, economics, etc. Establishing common ground for a discrete discipline such as public relations in this context introduces complexities. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg_Jzez50Ek5K_qA4USyzVemOGUzBQLZNYuEF05TN5PeoY4idnM4xJZbrAO-NW9g14CZ8yu5dc9vYG2Do5sn1QeioPQRJJiVDGQNVitC1Txf_6DeF7OgMF1nS-JrQKXSYmxOZO75lUd_d/s1600/First+day+of+class+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxg_Jzez50Ek5K_qA4USyzVemOGUzBQLZNYuEF05TN5PeoY4idnM4xJZbrAO-NW9g14CZ8yu5dc9vYG2Do5sn1QeioPQRJJiVDGQNVitC1Txf_6DeF7OgMF1nS-JrQKXSYmxOZO75lUd_d/s320/First+day+of+class+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of class</td></tr>
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Regardless, the classes went extremely well, and I'm eager to step into the classroom again and guide these great students through the remainder of the term</div>
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<h3>
Fulbright Gathering in Warsaw</h3>
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On Monday this week, there was an orientation meeting for U.S. Fulbrighters in Poland. Because of my teaching schedule, I was unable to attend, but my wife, Robin, took the train to Warsaw (about 3 hours) to represent me at the meeting -- and, of course, take detailed notes to share with me later. She had a wonderful time meeting the other Fulbright scholars and student grantees spending a various number of months here in Poland. Other faculty members are either teaching, conducting research or mixing the two. Student Fulbrighters are either conducting research or serving as ETA's -- English Teaching Assistants. The meeting Monday covered issues such as Polish culture, the Polish system of higher education, and more routine issues such as opening and maintaining a Polish bank account or obtaining medical treatment if needed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H20cq0CquT_ZdjuVjJhjG-6C67hd9jWskmf-a4qxzH-K6X2mMiMxQHXasw7CLrjI89hFRmyULLbv2jnV1CNh_bgMp9sY70JNj9Xvd2ru6_TVKASBRPo7yep0Anrl8kZfag3Gr8y5_mAq/s1600/Fulbright+Group+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5H20cq0CquT_ZdjuVjJhjG-6C67hd9jWskmf-a4qxzH-K6X2mMiMxQHXasw7CLrjI89hFRmyULLbv2jnV1CNh_bgMp9sY70JNj9Xvd2ru6_TVKASBRPo7yep0Anrl8kZfag3Gr8y5_mAq/s640/Fulbright+Group+Pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All U.S. student and faculty Fulbrighters serving in Poland, 2015/16, plus the Polish Fulbright Commission staff. Photo taken at Poland's Ministry of Science and Higher Education.</td></tr>
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I was able to take the Express train (just 2 1/2 hours) to Warsaw following my second class on Monday, arriving in Warsaw in time to attend the Fulbright dinner at a great restaurant -- a splendid opportunity to meet my fellow Fulbrighters in an informal setting as we enjoyed schabowy, smalec and pivo. <br />
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On Tuesday in Warsaw, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education hosted a graduation ceremony for Polish Fulbrighters who had spent time with U.S. universities during the 2014/15 academic year and had now returned home to Poland. It was wonderful to hear of their experiences and impressions. All the U.S. Fulbrighters now serving in Poland were invited, and it was a privilege to be part of this impressive ceremony. Of course, like most ceremonies here, it was followed by a sumptuous lunch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmet8CXdQU-ErCEi3c44zYPEWNDfFwQuWaPOb8YpoW20CSOvxaIAxUa8oOroTMnRmFrsC-cgXCElfEuXfoJdlaEI1xKtCUkXRFiyhOZ5ipn24agIB2beLJX6MkAIlHeuHvPXvt0vQnqeoV/s1600/Polish+Fulbright+Director.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmet8CXdQU-ErCEi3c44zYPEWNDfFwQuWaPOb8YpoW20CSOvxaIAxUa8oOroTMnRmFrsC-cgXCElfEuXfoJdlaEI1xKtCUkXRFiyhOZ5ipn24agIB2beLJX6MkAIlHeuHvPXvt0vQnqeoV/s400/Polish+Fulbright+Director.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Welcoming remarks by Polish Fulbright Commission Director </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Aleksandra Pawłowska.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRpzDgsxDy6oQuBfhKHtFxRBWR_shlvoci3StRuClmqCs5N1_F0Z8_7qa3OTAKQGI-w5dEpIyODRq6Ac1xnW79A5LkevMwCv2jQpBIofz9IG8lqbMWdYu7mis1jMFN4614TmV9GYUQZpo/s1600/John+Law%252C+US+Embassy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRpzDgsxDy6oQuBfhKHtFxRBWR_shlvoci3StRuClmqCs5N1_F0Z8_7qa3OTAKQGI-w5dEpIyODRq6Ac1xnW79A5LkevMwCv2jQpBIofz9IG8lqbMWdYu7mis1jMFN4614TmV9GYUQZpo/s320/John+Law%252C+US+Embassy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Welcoming remarks by Mr. John Law, Deputy Chief of Mission at the </span><a aria-describedby="js_1q" aria-haspopup="true" aria-owns="js_1p" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=39589683944&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/USEmbassyWarsaw" id="js_1r" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">U.S. Embassy Warsaw</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiX68MB5ovDfPwYvMhf0BHZYp8lafrA4RJZ_9Ia8_akE-41pbbAmc0erT7HE-QmR2DszzNXRhgglx-nSZ2UZ2f_eYpTKDEZ1GbtigRPQaRYIPSjFuC84vHqh_IyEiKR8BVBCFuPD7pp-E/s1600/Min+of+Higher+Ed+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiX68MB5ovDfPwYvMhf0BHZYp8lafrA4RJZ_9Ia8_akE-41pbbAmc0erT7HE-QmR2DszzNXRhgglx-nSZ2UZ2f_eYpTKDEZ1GbtigRPQaRYIPSjFuC84vHqh_IyEiKR8BVBCFuPD7pp-E/s320/Min+of+Higher+Ed+lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ministry of Science and Higher Education hosted Fulbrighters for lunch following the graduation ceremony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ-siilcNxoVnhGGQG83nIv545XhlJPQ5zjYPWwnHJ87_Ih_qUK4MyFtvXSayziJpoHcU6AdYxTmt3A150Esd_NI1uoxTfHxtZ40INPvcEF2Lxw3Lyy2pRt0bPZ1iwcapiY3b-OoHSLJu/s1600/Eating+on+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ-siilcNxoVnhGGQG83nIv545XhlJPQ5zjYPWwnHJ87_Ih_qUK4MyFtvXSayziJpoHcU6AdYxTmt3A150Esd_NI1uoxTfHxtZ40INPvcEF2Lxw3Lyy2pRt0bPZ1iwcapiY3b-OoHSLJu/s320/Eating+on+stairs.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizers soon realized there was a shortage of seating for Fulbrighters enjoying the lunch, but Fulbrighters are problem-solvers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Robin and I returned by train to Poznan Tuesday evening -- a pleasant 3-hour ride that brought us to Poznan around 10:30 p.m. Despite the late hour, the Poznan train station is still a vibrant place, and public transportation in the city is superb -- a short walk to the tram station, a 10-minute ride and a short walk, and we were home around 11. <br />
<br />
<h3>
The University Launches the Academic Year</h3>
<div>
At my home university, UNC Charlotte, we have an annual tradition of beginning each academic year in August with an event called Convocation. It's an opportunity for faculty and staff to gather as the chancellor, provost and others welcome us back and chart a course for the new year. At the Poznan University of Economics, a similar event is held, but it is considerably more formal. I attended it Wednesday and was fascinated by the highly structured and ceremonial character of the occasion. There were instrumental and vocal music, presentations of certificates and flowers, and a succession of speeches of various lengths by distinguished guests and university leaders. A representative group of students recited an oath, pledging themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and to respect university staff. There are several formalities incorporated into UNC Charlotte's convocation, but this event in Poznan was considerably more formal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NB3wLAsjygMMMO06EUO0sZcyrPx2RMs3Ugs7nDcVRiaT7DpI9Iiwpg8Uti9bZbln0rv0TC6gvXaYWxDxn2w7uz6Q9RFObjnIJaD5R9zTnwjni1yOk2UlIn1Yub1ZqRZLbIlQDt0vLhQT/s1600/Convocation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NB3wLAsjygMMMO06EUO0sZcyrPx2RMs3Ugs7nDcVRiaT7DpI9Iiwpg8Uti9bZbln0rv0TC6gvXaYWxDxn2w7uz6Q9RFObjnIJaD5R9zTnwjni1yOk2UlIn1Yub1ZqRZLbIlQDt0vLhQT/s400/Convocation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poznan University of Economics Convocation. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKftxURB9_WPKJPfBk6WBxdzm4soibGQvll54RuFCtPfwixvIdMuIXtblbRkKOBhb1MoL5iW1JMmE1LaPuk9Cll2ZK4N7BqLxBuQxPqTyPLGqEtN7UEsAxhFkv1rJh5B4NAb14V-b2wbI/s1600/Rector+at+Convocation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKftxURB9_WPKJPfBk6WBxdzm4soibGQvll54RuFCtPfwixvIdMuIXtblbRkKOBhb1MoL5iW1JMmE1LaPuk9Cll2ZK4N7BqLxBuQxPqTyPLGqEtN7UEsAxhFkv1rJh5B4NAb14V-b2wbI/s320/Rector+at+Convocation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The university rector (equivalent to university president or chancellor in the U.S.) presided over the Convocation ceremony. Note the formal academic regalia worn by the rector and university leaders.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Following the 2-hour ceremony, a buffet lunch was served, and this was an excellent opportunity to meet many of my new colleagues in an informal setting. I spoke with both the rector (equivalent of a U.S. university president or chancellor) and pro-rector (equivalent to provost); they were both warm and welcoming.</div>
<br />
So, it's been a full week, and I still have a good deal of prep work for my next classes. I'm also trying to master the slightly different version of Moodle used here at the university. Moodle is a web-based class platform that permits the instructor to post class materials such as schedules, assignments, reading materials, etc., and to interact with students in the class. I've used it for years at UNC Charlotte, but I still need to learn the unique features of the system in place here. Fortunately, I've received extensive assistance and instruction from my great colleagues in the department here. <br />
<br />
Thanks for visiting this blog, and I hope you'll return!<br />
<br />
I must note that a number of the photos in this entry were taken by official photographers of the Fulbright Commission and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-36674893156180477592015-09-23T08:55:00.000-07:002015-09-23T08:58:50.810-07:00Arrival in Poznan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h3>
Getting Settled</h3>
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We arrived in Poznan Wednesday, September 16, after a
pleasant and uneventful journey – direct from Charlotte to Munich (about 8 ½
hours), a short layover, then a direct connecting flight to Poznan (less than
one hour). Weather through Saturday was
quite warm and sunny – reached 88 F on Thursday (31 C). Since Sunday, it’s been cooler but pleasant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’ve been quite busy getting settled in our apartment and
making the necessary arrangements for everyday life: opening a Polish bank
account, activating mobile phones, arranging for Internet in our apartment,
etc. Every step takes time to
navigate. During my military career,
moving to other countries was fairly easy; we were stationed in Germany,
England and Belgium for about 10 years collectively. In each case, there was infrastructure in
place to accommodate the transition for active duty military members. With a Fulbright, we obviously need to be
much more independent, and we find that our overseas experiences in the
military permit us to be much more flexible and resilient now in that
regard. We expect challenges, and we’re
prepared to deal with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]-->Nevertheless,
because we enjoyed a 6-month Fulbright assignment here in Poznan in 2012, we
feel very much at home here. We’ve
already reconnected with great Polish friends, and we comfortably use public
transportation like natives. Well, we
did make one mistake our first full day here, taking the wrong bus. Being flexible, though, we simply got off
that bus, took the next bus heading back to the point of our mistake, then
caught the correct bus – total time lost was around 10 minutes. For convenience, there’s an excellent website
for trip planning on public transportation in Poznan and even an “App.” Click on the image below, then click on <i>Journey Planner</i> if you’d like to plan your
route ahead of your visit to Poznan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.ztm.poznan.pl/?locale=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdkd_R42NPL08tXCL_Gsn39tPLdDQT99gbXpTw_HYq_qAoSJ95e9p6ptfPPo5wZUJVBbmgi_aBDMIfpbMQaiekHkI7eghy1ZaV12dEYrUubjCZ80Nze3_jBnyd25YHvBGkaIe6aDu2XJB/s320/ZTM+Home+Page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For example, if I
enter my apartment as the starting point (by clicking on the map) and my host university
as the destination, the site tells me instantly to walk five minutes to the Nr.
5 Tram, ride it for seven minutes to the St. Martin stop, then walk five
minutes to my university – a 17-minute journey.
The site/app will also tell me when the next tram is due, but they run
so frequently that I really don’t think about timing at that level.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course, living here ten months means we needed a “set of
wheels,” and we have made that significant purchase. The only “wheels” of our own we plan to use
is this handy trolley. It’s sturdy,
lightweight and carries a substantial load of groceries and other
purchases. It’s easy to lift on and off
trams and buses and folds conveniently for storage. Excellent gas mileage as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4nbZncBVjBxbxjYdJW9jWvofNp56TkhNMbZIV6tNU8TehdBLYzOZ3V5MepAjN40sYdz-FF8RbBUwvklibmu6Uc2VJQUW9St3yAKuzl-2RqblBykt_tCmVTrVLmAsp4Km7fF0FyIacNl7/s1600/Shopping+Cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4nbZncBVjBxbxjYdJW9jWvofNp56TkhNMbZIV6tNU8TehdBLYzOZ3V5MepAjN40sYdz-FF8RbBUwvklibmu6Uc2VJQUW9St3yAKuzl-2RqblBykt_tCmVTrVLmAsp4Km7fF0FyIacNl7/s320/Shopping+Cart.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin with our new set of wheels.</td></tr>
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<h3>
Enjoying Poznan</h3>
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It hasn’t been all work.
We took advantage of the splendid weather during our first days as
well. On Friday evening, we made the
15-minute journey on foot and by tram to the <i>Stary Rynek</i> – the Old Market Square that is the heart of Poznan’s <i>Stary Miasto</i> – Old City – area. For a good part of the year, the square’s
many fine restaurants and cafés are augmented with outdoor seating where
visitors can enjoy food, beverages and the picturesque setting. We did our part.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtvvByp8h0M2-tRaPBC6___a5y8x_L_iR0-V8IGxWd2PHLRoAWHNsyAZarsNQI6e3lQ1O9JufsWbDBEqSkOU4LMQB7D8EaeezS_mHJJRiW9982Afi2JWoHzXGxpsS1q3AQVyGwUX9xh4I/s1600/Alan+in+Stary+Rynek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtvvByp8h0M2-tRaPBC6___a5y8x_L_iR0-V8IGxWd2PHLRoAWHNsyAZarsNQI6e3lQ1O9JufsWbDBEqSkOU4LMQB7D8EaeezS_mHJJRiW9982Afi2JWoHzXGxpsS1q3AQVyGwUX9xh4I/s320/Alan+in+Stary+Rynek.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan taking advantage of a pleasant Friday evening on the Stary Rynek -- Old Market Square</td></tr>
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<h3>
Next Stage</h3>
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Next week, classes begin for the Poznan University of
Economics where I will be teaching. I’m
slated to teach two graduate classes: one on Internal/Employee Communication
Management, and one on International/Global Public Relations. I will also be expected to provide regular
guest lectures on a variety of public relations topics at PUE and at other
universities in Poland, perhaps even in neighboring countries. I will also be called upon to provide advice
and counsel to graduate students preparing master’s theses and doctoral
dissertations. I have no doubt my plate
will be full during our time here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><a href="http://www.ztm.poznan.pl/?locale=en_US"></a>Thanks for visiting my blog!
Talk to you again soon. </div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9127791227027841889.post-68147697801160693852015-08-27T13:01:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:05:51.408-07:00Deepening our Polish Connection<h2>
<b><u>Deepening our Polish Connection</u></b></h2>
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On September 15, my wife, Robin, and I will embark on another adventure in Poland. This academic year, I will return to beautiful <span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poznań</span></span>, Poland, supported by a second Fulbright fellowship. During our first Fulbright in <span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poznań</span></span> in 2012, I conducted research on the value of effective internal/employee communication in Polish organizations. This time, I will be teaching courses in Public Relations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My host institution this time, as it was in 2012, is the <a href="http://ue.poznan.pl/en/">Poznan University of Economics</a>. I'm very grateful for the invitation to join its superb faculty and for the opportunity to work with PUE's outstanding students. I have received tremendous help in preparing for this appointment from my counterpart at PUE, Dr. Jacek </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-indent: -24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trębecki</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, among Europe's leading Public Relations scholars. <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My
2012 experience convinced me that the public relations program at PUE is of the
highest quality based both upon the caliber of faculty and the focus of its
curriculum.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is a great honor to
be associated directly with the delivery of instruction in this fine program
during the 2015-16 academic year.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Academic and professional
results from this ongoing relationship with my PUE colleagues continue to
accumulate. They include to date:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">My feature article on the performing arts at
UNC Charlotte published in a 2012 issue of <i>Forum</i>,
PUE’s prestigious magazine.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A paper on our employee communication research
presented at the important international public relations conference in Bled,
Slovenia, July 2012.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A chapter I wrote for a book edited by PUE
faculty member Dr. Ryszard Ławniczak, and a chapter he wrote for my text book
on global public relations.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Presentations on the results of our research
project for the South Carolina Public Relations Society of America annual
conference (November 2012); as well as for faculty, staff and students of the
London College of Communication (June 2013).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A paper, co-authored with Dr. Jacek Trębecki of
PUE and based on our Fulbright-supported research project, presented at the
April 2012 Conference on Global Public Relations hosted by the Center for
Global Public Relations, Charlotte, NC.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A blog detailing my Fulbright experience I
maintained during my 6-month fellowship; it included 23 posts and attracted
nearly 9,000 visits (http://prfulbright.blogspot.com/).</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">An invited chapter in the 2014 book of
international public relations case studies.
The chapter, co-authored with Dr. Jacek Trębecki and Katarzyna
Konickiewicz of PUE, addresses the communication aspects of the Poznań Fan
Zone, established in conjunction with Poznań’s hosting of EURO 2012 matches.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">An article for PUE’s </span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Forum</i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> in 2013 concerning a comparative analysis of public relations
higher education between PUE and UNC Charlotte.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Two research papers presented by PUE faculty
member Monika Bogdał at the April 2013 Conference on Global Public Relations,
Charlotte, NC.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A paper co-authored with Dr. Jacek Trębecki,
based on our 2012 Fulbright research project in Poznań, presented at the
International PR Conference, Miami, FL, in March 2014.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additionally, the research I conducted with the aid of my
PUE faculty and graduate student colleagues resulted in extensive analysis of
employee communication structures and processes within a number of companies in
the Poznań region. The exhaustive reports
we provided to participating organizations have resulted in significant
improvement in the quality of employee communication that, in turn, is leading
to greater efficiencies, productivity and profitability. I am so very proud to have contributed to Poland’s
economic success even in this small way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">To continue strengthening this
growing and productive bond, I will augment PUE’s curriculum by teaching
a combination of existing and elective courses unique to my expertise. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">This fall (term begins September 29), I will teach two graduate courses -- one in International Public Relations and the second in Internal/Employee Communication.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Although my Polish is
improving, it is not sufficient for me to teach in that language.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Nevertheless, by teaching in English, I will be serving one of PUE’s aims – to equip its students with proficiency in
English to make them even more competitive in a global environment.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">The department I will be part of, in fact,
offers several courses taught in English as part of that effort, and the
university has now introduced several graduate </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">programs taught exclusively in
English.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">My 2012 Fulbright experience
confirmed that there are considerable numbers of PUE undergraduate and graduate
students completely comfortable working fully in English.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">As evidence, I submit my first PUE guest
lecture during my 2012 Fulbright fellowship – that event attracted an overflow
crowd of more than 200 students!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwK8GhpZYwk">To learn more about PUE, watch this video, though you may need to brush up on your Polish first:</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwK8GhpZYwk"><br /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwK8GhpZYwk"><img alt="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwK8GhpZYwk" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY6Glkqn8iqV3FgaMXSwP1NfqtEs-HQcC9SVXncBCup7ceHs5_WnPMG-UmmrTFdIHT7FBe5-0XdNhUw5Bkkr7pDc9HI2UTkstit5U54Eqv_r91BkXkuU2kKcf_hB2SEeUic17qIeEtM2D/s320/PUE+Screen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">There are certainly
pedagogical differences between U.S. and Polish approaches to higher education,
but those differences only enhance the value this fellowship will bring.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">While Polish instructors stress the
theoretical and employ primarily lecture-based teaching methods, my approach
tends more to a blend of the theoretical and the applied, and my delivery
methods more directly engage students in discussion and practical problem
solving.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">My 2012 experience with PUE
tells me Polish students adapt quickly and soon embrace this “hands-on” approach
and that my participation would add a useful layer to an already outstanding
curriculum.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I will not be in conflict
with PUE pedagogical principles; on the contrary, my approach would not likely
succeed without the solid theoretical grounding that permits thorough and
thoughtful analysis of communication issues and problems.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some adjustments on my part
will be necessary nevertheless. For
example, I’m accustomed to requiring UNC Charlotte students to purchase
textbooks that often cost more than $100; that would not be prudent for courses
I teach at PUE. Instead, I will craft my
courses to rely upon on-line and other open-access material available at no
cost. There is no shortage of such
material through academic journals on line as well as agencies such as the
<a href="https://www.prsa.org/index.html">Public Relations Society of America</a>, the <a href="http://www.instituteforpr.org/">Institute for Public Relations</a> and the <a href="https://www.iabc.com/">International Association of Business Communicators</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">It would be difficult to overstate
the pride and gratitude I feel in having been selected for my 2015/16 Fulbright
fellowship.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">At the same time, I’m
humbled by the responsibility such a privilege conveys, and I strive to reflect
the honor associated with it.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Concurrently, my respect and admiration for Poland and its people fuel my desire to return to this great country.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I have much more to learn there and, I hope, a modest contribution to
make.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">I will aim to post to this blog at least weekly during the next 10 months</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">. I promise to keep posts conversational and informative. I'll mix business with the enjoyment of being in this wonderful country and sparkling city. I hope you will subscribe to and follow these posts, and I hope you'll share your comments as well. I look forward to meeting with you here next time.</span></div>
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Alan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04545911954733502214noreply@blogger.com0