Marywood Students Embrace Cultural Exchange in Poland Through Generous Alumni Support

Six Marywood students recently had the opportunity to study abroad by attending cultural exchange summer camps in Poland through the Eagle-Orzel Educational and Cultural Exchange, Inc. The experience was made possible by two generous Marywood donors and alumnae Mary Kay F. (Belovesick) Pieski, Ph.D. ’78, and Sally M. Coveleskie, ’78, through their establishment of The Sister Benedicta Berendes, IHM Memorial Fund, which assisted with travel expenses for the students who attended the trip.

The Marywood students who attended the trip were Katherine Horner '25, Nutrition and Dietetics; Alyssa Tkacz '25, Social Work; Zachary Houston '25, English/Secondary Education; Johanna Lettera '25, Nursing-Pre-Service; Maya Nuccio '26, Nursing-Pre-Service and Abbie O'Brien '25, Psychology.

The Eagle-Orzeł Educational and Cultural Exchange, Inc. hosted four summer camps in 2024 across Poland in the locations of Nowy Sącz, Otwock, Suwałki, and Załęcze Wielkie. Of the six Marywood students who participated, Horner and Tkacz attended the Otwock camp, while Houston, Lettera, Nuccio, and O’Brien attended the Załęcze Wielkie camp. 

Alyssa Tkacz '25 was genuinely grateful for an unforgettable experience, noting, “I attended the Otwock camp, and it was an unforgettable experience. I was the first person in my family to go back to Poland since my grandparents first came to America. I worked as a TA for the high school choir classes for the two weeks I was there, and the students were truly inspiring. As a social work major, it was amazing to have the ability to bring the mental health side of things into the work that we were doing with our students. At the start of each class we ran, I led meditations and breathing exercises to help teach the students about the importance of regulating their emotions and implementing coping skills into their lives. I enjoyed applying what I had learned in my classes to the work I was doing with the students at the camp. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to have attended the camp and for the lifelong relationships I was able to leave with. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of such an incredible, powerful experience.”

Johanna Lettera '25 reflected on her trip as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, stating, "This experience was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As part of my camp experience, we taught the Polish kids with fun activities that helped them learn and grow. As a Nursing major, I applied the same sense of care and compassion in helping the kids learn and grow as I would in caring for a patient in my future profession. In understanding how to apply my education to a different setting, I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone, which I am so grateful to have during my formative college years. I had the best time and made long-lasting memories. It was all because of our wonderful leader, Mike Ryan, and the amazing Polish staff who hosted us. I miss the kids every day. I am forever grateful to have been a part of this exchange.”

The Eagle-Orzeł Educational and Cultural Exchange, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and facilitating educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland. The organization seeks to contribute to the landscape of international exchange by organizing and supporting a variety of cross-cultural activities, such as short-term teaching experiences for American educators in Poland, joint professional development programs for Polish and American teachers in Poland and the United States, and partnerships between American and Polish educational and cultural organizations and institutions.

Eagle-Orzel will be hosting the four summer camps again this summer, running during June and July 2025. All those interested can apply by January 11, 2025. You can learn more about Eagle-Orzel by visiting their website: https://eagle-orzel.org/