A Ukrainian Woman Shares the Ups and Downs of Living in Poland

Life in Poland Through the Eyes of a Ukrainian Expat

According to Главком: Many Ukrainians have relocated to Poland in recent years, seeking new opportunities. Tetiana, a Ukrainian who has lived in Poznań for five years, has openly discussed both the positive and negative aspects of her experience. She runs a TikTok blog where she documents her journey of building a life abroad.

The Bright Side of Poland

Among the advantages, Tetiana highlights that a regular salary can actually cover essential costs like rent, food, and basic needs.

“Here, you can really live on your paycheck. Housing, food, basic necessities, even hobbies-if you manage your money wisely. There are plenty of cheap flights and buses, so you can travel wherever you want.”

She also praises the country’s cleanliness, well-maintained roads, and abundance of parks.

“Most importantly, you can genuinely change your life here. But it’s not all perfect.”

Challenges of Settling In

On the flip side, Tetiana points out several hurdles that can complicate adaptation. Starting fresh in Poland without knowing the language is particularly tough. “Without proper documents, it’s hard to build a normal life,” she notes. Jobs for non-Polish speakers are often limited to factory or warehouse work. Access to healthcare is another issue: “Seeing a specialist can take months or even years-unless you pay out of pocket.” She also found it challenging that most shops are closed on Sundays.

Despite these difficulties, Tetiana remains committed to her new life in Poland, emphasizing that the positives outweigh the negatives for her.

Her story reflects the broader immigrant experience-navigating language barriers, cultural differences, and bureaucratic obstacles while pursuing financial stability and personal growth. Like many others, Tetiana continues to seek ways to achieve her goals in Poland, demonstrating the resilience and determination that drive Ukrainians to embrace new opportunities even under challenging circumstances.

As Tetiana navigates her life in Poland, she has also noticed several cultural contrasts that shape her experience. For those interested in a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and observations faced by Ukrainian expats, she highlights five notable differences that can significantly impact daily life and integration in this new environment.