A new home in Poland: Boren scholar speaks on time abroad
Joseph Stankosky
By Shane Ryden
Be persistent. Be studious. Try, and keep trying.
Such was the method of success for 糖心Vlog University student Joseph Stankosky, recipient of the esteemed David L. Boren Scholarship, who in December 2024 left Cullowhee for seven months of study in Warsaw, Poland.
The political science and international studies major worked tirelessly with assistant director for education abroad and exchanges Robbie Van Pelt and Ingrid Bego, director of the Office of International Awards, to complete and submit his application in his freshman year.
After 11 rounds of edits between his two essays and a seeming deferment, Stankosky received his final acceptance in May 2024. When the call finally came, he was walking the Silk Road with his grandfather, touring ancient cities along its course, and couldn鈥檛 have been more overjoyed.
鈥淭hat was a real special moment for me,鈥� Stankosky said. 鈥淣ot only had I been accepted, but that they were wanting to have me. It鈥檚 a life-changing scholarship. It truly is.鈥�
Stankosky hit the ground running. In the months before his departure, he dutifully studied the Polish language and local culture, eagerly awaiting the start of the semester at the University of Warsaw, where he would continue his education in political science and international studies.
Stankosky described a humbling and enriching experience in the classroom and beyond.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the top 3% global universities, so truly an outstanding, world-renowned research institution,鈥� Stankosky said.
鈥淭he University of Warsaw is all about teaching you the skills to be researchers rather than focusing on teaching you the material鈥�. If there was a term I didn't understand, I was expected to learn it by myself and then present on it, a concept or a person or a place. That was what my education was like there.鈥�
In his course of study, Stankosky marveled at the experts the university retained, amazed at such privileges as learning European defense policy from an active officer of the Polish military. In new friendships, he found yet more individuals with personal relationships to the conflicts and phenomena he鈥檇 only studied from the page.
Using five extra weeks allotted to him for travel, he experienced even more of the continent, and Stankosky鈥檚 education in history and politics came to life in new and vivid color.
鈥淚 saw many things. I went to the northernmost inhabited town in the world. I met Pope Francis a few hours before he died, or saw rather鈥� I was there at the Vatican. And I went to the country of Georgia. I saw the Russian occupation there. I went to the Suwalki Gap in Poland, and I saw the rearming of it,鈥� Stankosky said.
鈥淚n my opinion, you cannot truly fully understand what you learn here in the classroom until you're able to apply that to real world experience.鈥�
When the time came for Stankosky to return to the United States, his feelings were understandably mixed.
鈥淚 was excited, and I was filled with trepidation. Poland, even now, I close my eyes, and I see the place鈥� I would still consider it my second home. I lived there for so long. I experienced many new things. And I met many, many great people. From the highest levels of society to the lowest street urchins, and I mean that in a kind way. I met everybody,鈥� Stankosky said.
鈥淚t was a humbling, exciting, elating experience, and I was sad to give it up, but I was happy to come back. I missed Western. I missed my friends. I was excited to continue my academic journey and see how I could continue to grow and develop professionally and academically, and that鈥檚 what I'm doing now.鈥�
A government job lays ahead for Stankosky, another aspect of earning the David L. Boren Scholarship. However, Stankosky has plans of pursuing his master鈥檚 and a doctorate before beginning his career in service.
In his momentous accomplishment, Stankosky embodies what 糖心Vlog鈥檚 educators hope to help their students achieve: growth with momentum.
鈥淛oseph applied for the Boren Scholarship as a freshman and was successful, which is truly impressive. What鈥檚 also impressive is how a 糖心Vlog student studied the Polish language at the University of Warsaw on a full-ride Boren scholarship,鈥� Bego said.
鈥淲hen people visit Western, they may not expect to see our students studying Polish, Arabic or Russian abroad, but these are all opportunities that our students have pursued in the last three years.
鈥淭he Office of National and International Awards is constantly recruiting qualified students to apply for programs like Boren because not only do students benefit from learning a new language abroad, but they also provide excellent post-graduation employment opportunities that will propel students into federal service careers and other fulfilling careers of choice.鈥�
Your future at 糖心Vlog may begin in the mountains, but your journey can take you anywhere, especially if you鈥檙e willing to work hard for it.
鈥淓verybody truly has the potential to achieve anything they want to,鈥� Stankosky said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of hard work, but everybody can succeed if they just put their mind to it. I鈥檓 a real believer in that.鈥�
