Smak Polski (Taste of Poland) Dinner
By: Eleanor Anderson
With the change in the academic schedule, this is the first year in a long time that St. Kate’s has not had a J-term. This may mean that students start summer earlier, but it also means that many short-term study abroad trips can’t travel over winter break. So, this semester is a trial-run for new short-term St.Kate’s-led study abroad trips. Some, including the Costa Rica GSJ class, are traveling over spring break, and others, like the Post-Communist Transitions in Poland Political Science class, leave after graduation. This presents difficulties, however, for people who are interested or need to take a course but are unable to commit to the travel portion. This is true specifically for the Poland class. As the only upper-level PoliSci class being offered this spring, there are several students taking the course who are not participating in the travel component.
In an attempt to simultaneously give those who are not traveling a small taste of Polish culture and to prepare those traveling for common Polish cuisine, Professor Nawojka Lesinski hosted a 3-course Polish dinner at her home on Feb. 20. Over 25 students, Econ/PoliSci department faculty, and global studies staff filled Dr. L’s home near campus for a boisterous and community-filled evening. The meal, which Dr. Lesinski made entirely from scratch, consisted of barszcz (a red beet stew), stuffed cabbage rolls in tomato sauce, several classic appetizers including Polish pickles and pierogi, kompot (fruit beverage) and a selection of sweets for dessert. Like many of the students, Chloe Rutten ‘27 (Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, and Environmental Sustainability) shared that they “had no concept of Polish cuisine” before attending the dinner, but by the end, they “couldn’t wait for fourteen more dinners in Poland.” Each dish, which was hand-plated by Dr. L herself, outdid the last; made allergen-friendly and with vegetarian options, Smak Polski gave everyone the chance to experience a tiny part of life in Poland without leaving Minnesota.
While it should not be an expectation of the professor to feed the entire department, students, and global studies advisors, the Smak Polski dinner uniquely fostered a community within a global studies course, even for those who won’t be traveling together. Study abroad isn’t accessible to everyone, but sharing experiences, meals, and social discussions is not something limited to those who can travel for it. For students not traveling to Poland, the evening offered a meaningful way to feel included in a course centered on a place they may never physically visit. For those who are traveling, it serves as both cultural preparation and a reminder that study abroad is as much about shared experiences as it is about geography.
Events like Smak Polski highlight how international community-engaged learning does not have to be confined to passports and plane tickets. Small, intentional gatherings can bridge gaps created by academic schedule changes and accessibility barriers. By opening her home and sharing a meal, Professor Lesinski demonstrated how global learning can be rooted in community, generosity, and inclusion—values that are a core part of Saint Kate’s and extend far beyond any single trip abroad.
