From Gdańsk to Georgia: Academic and Cultural Journey of UG Students - Wiktoria Choińska and Wiktoria Szamotulska - at Valdosta State University, USA

Ms Wiktoria Choińska (MA) – a graduate of the Historical Tourism program and currently a first-year Master's student in History at our faculty, and Ms. Wiktoria Szamotulska – a second-year American Studies student at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Gdańsk, studied during the summer semester of the 2024/2025 academic year at Valdosta State University in Georgia, USA.

During their stay at the American university, as part of the Erasmus+ student exchange program, they represented and promoted the University of Gdańsk, the city of Gdańsk, and the history of Poland.

What experiences did they gain, and how do they remember their time at VSU? Below, we present their accounts of the trip.

Wiktoria Choińska – First-Year MA Student in History at the Faculty of History, University of Gdańsk:

I had the opportunity to spend the summer semester of the 2024/2025 academic year at Valdosta State University in Georgia, USA. From January to May, I attended classes in a completely different educational system, which allowed me to gain new experiences and grow academically.

I also had the chance to represent both the History Department at VSU and the University of Gdańsk during a scholarly symposium in April. There, I presented a research poster on the topic of food in Poland during the communist era, with a particular focus on the 1970s and 1980s. As I developed this topic further, I worked on a project that culminated in a lecture I delivered to American students visiting Gdańsk in May this year.

Thanks to the classes at the U.S. university, I met Dr. Melanie Byrd, who inspired me to pursue my own research in the field of food history. I also became part of the Honors College community, where I made many new friends. I frequently participated in student-organized events and even helped organize some of them — for example, the first official baking competition at the Honors House.

Because of my previous involvement in supporting visits of VSU students to Poland, I already had American friends with whom I’ve stayed in touch for several years. I had the chance to travel with them to Atlanta, St. Augustine, Savannah, and Orange Park in Florida. However, my favorite trip was to Washington, D.C. during spring break. I visited many incredible museums, which — as a graduate in Historical Tourism — I found to be an incredibly inspiring experience. I also visited the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the White House.

The Erasmus+ exchange to Valdosta State University was the best decision I made during my academic journey at the University of Gdańsk. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity and hope I made the most of it.

Wiktoria Szamotulska – Second-Year American Studies Student, Faculty of Philology, University of Gdańsk:

Spending a semester at Valdosta State University was a wonderful opportunity for me to directly experience the American education system and student culture. It allowed me to meet diverse student groups, learn about traditions, and observe cultural differences. Although I had prior knowledge of these topics due to my field of study, nothing compares to real-life experience and being part of that society.

The students at VSU were incredibly helpful and friendly — they not only introduced me to Southern food and traditions but also welcomed me into their student organizations. I collaborated with the university newspaper, The Spectator, and created a series of graphics. Additionally, I designed the layout for the 2024 edition of Odradek, a poetry journal run by a student association.

I explored Valdosta thoroughly and took part in local festivals. Thanks to the new friendships I formed, I had the chance to discover the diverse geography of the Southern United States — including the beaches of Florida and the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia.

This exchange allowed me not only to grow academically but also to become actively involved in student organizations and integrate into a completely different cultural environment as a representative of the University of Gdańsk. I hope to continue the collaborations and friendships I built during my stay.