Study Abroad: Human Anatomy in Poland

Two years of planning, many discussions, and revisions of the program’s agenda and it finally happened!

On May 29, 2017, a wonderful group of CCBC (Community College of Baltimore County) biology students and faculty left for an exciting 10-day adventure, dubbed Human Anatomy in Poland.  The human anatomy and education parts of the program included a visit to the Anatomy Museum at the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow (the oldest university in Poland), the Criminal and Forensic Medicine Museum at the Wrocław Medical University, the unforgettable experience of visiting and attending a workshop at the world-famous Plastinarium in Guben, and student-interactive activities at the Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole.

This anatomy focused experience was intermingled with touring the cities of Wroclaw, Opole, Krakow and Warsaw. The participants learned about Polish history, culture, and architecture by visiting many sites registered on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, including the Centennial Hall in Wroclaw, the Old Town in Krakow, the Nazi German concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Salt Mine in Wieliczka, and the Historic Centre in Warsaw.

Description of the study abroad program would not be complete without adding that the participants were enthralled with Polish food, enjoying all varieties of pierogi (commonly confused with “pierogis”). Some are even still experiencing “lody (ice cream) withdrawal”. I was asked on multiple occasions throughout the study abroad by the participants whether the program will be repeated; I share this enthusiasm and hope it isn’t the last of its kind!

Ewa Gorski is a biology professor at the Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland where she has been teaching human anatomy & physiology and physiological pathology courses for about twenty years. The majority of her students are preparing for careers in nursing and mortuary science. Ewa has been HAPS member since 2002.