Told by others who had visited the country, the city of Krakow in particular, that Poland boasted some of the world’s most beautiful landmarks and friendliest people, Rhinehart learned from experience they were correct.
HOLYOKE – Maya E. Rhinehart, of Springfield, ended her reign as Miss Polonia Massachusetts 2013 with a month-long visit to Poland where she studied the country’s language and culture.
On Aug. 11, during the Miss Polonia Massachusetts 2014 contest held again at Pilsudski Park in Holyoke, Rhinehart thanked the Miss Polonia organization for providing her with the opportunity to immerse herself in the culture and experience its riches.
The airfare to Poland was the major prize for winning the pageant last year, and a scholarship through New York City’s Kosciuszko Foundation financed the educational program that allowed Rhinehart to tour her mother’s birthplace.
“Before this trip I had never flown on a plane by myself, gone to Europe or let alone a country where the most common language wasn’t English,” she said. “I was a bit apprehensive, but I had no real reason to be.”
Told by others who had visited the country, the city of Krakow in particular, that Poland boasted some of the world’s most beautiful landmarks and friendliest people, Rhinehart learned from experience they were correct.
“The first time I set my eyes upon the main market square in Old Town, Wawel Castle, the Salt Mines, Ogrodzieniec Castle and the Royal Cathedral, I was blown away,” she noted. “The architecture and rich history behind every building is astounding, let alone that they have withstood the test of time.”
The purpose of the scholarship program, Rhinehart explained, is to allow participants to study the Polish language and culture first-hand and experience the country’s rich history.
“I didn’t know much about Poland’s history before this trip, but through classes and historical walking tours I have been able to see and hear about the struggles Poland has faced and survived,” she said. “It is amazing to hear that time and time again Poland has prevailed.”
Between July 3 and Aug. 1, Rhinehart said she learned the reason why the country has in the past and continues to survive adversity is because its people have perpetuated the culture and history through their own experiences.
“The people have kept Poland alive through their spirit and willingness to teach others about what they know,” she noted.
Once immersed in the scholarship program, Rhinehart discovered just how difficult the Polish language is to learn and master. Still, the encouragement she was shown by the people she encountered inspired her to strive toward her goal of communicating her mother’s native language.
“Many Polish people were surprised that I was there to study the language,” she said. “I have never met such an enthusiastic group of people who appreciate someone just trying to talk to them in their native tongue.”
The experiences of that month-long stay, Rhinehart added, will stay with her forever and have reinforced her Polish heritage.
“The people I’ve met, friends I’ve made, monuments I’ve seen and stories I’ve heard will stay with me for a lifetime,” she said. “I can’t wait until I return.”