How my home country became my favourite holiday destination

I have found myself in a strange situation where it doesn’t feel like ‘home’ anymore whenever I return to my home country. It does bring back fond memories, and I enjoy my visit every time I go; however, something seems to be missing. As I grow older and experience more of life in a foreign culture, my identity changes and my birth country slowly become my favourite holiday destination. Let me explain.

My Country

I was born in Chełmno, a small town in Poland, a central European country that borders Germany in the west, Czechia and Slovakia in the south, Ukraine and Belarus in the east, and Lithuania and Kaliningrad (Russia) in the north. This gorgeous country homed me for the first years of my life before my parents, and I moved to the north of England after Poland joined the European Union. I am in a position where half of my family is in the United Kingdom while the other stayed in Poland, meaning returning home is extremely easy. We stay with family and stay at their homes to save costs and spend the most time as possible in their company. We tend to visit Poland at least once a year, and with it, I could see how my interactions change with my home.

The way I presented myself soon did not reflect the typical Pole in the street. My Polish became a little rough, and people began telling me how much I have changed and brought my differences to light. I do not have a problem with this; however, it does make me think if I even identify myself to the country that did not raise me or make me the person I am today. Strangely, I wouldn’t refer to myself as a Brit nor an Englishman. I have a slight connection to Yorkshire, the county in the north of England that I lived in for most of my life, and I see myself as a northerner inside and out, so there is some cultural connection there. However, there is one geographical identity I am proud to be: I am a European.

A European

I try to avoid going into politics in our blogs, and the topic of Brexit is a mine zone here in the UK, but I will admit that I hold national pride in being a European. I love each country that aims to unite its neighbours and share its history, resources, and people. If we are to move forward, we ought to do it together. To see the United Kingdom leave was heartbreaking. Despite my settled status, which refers to living in the UK regardless of my nationality, I feel disconnected from the mainland, and Poland has become that much further away. I can return whenever I wish, and my travel between the UK and mainland Europe is barely affected, but still, it feels quieter here in the UK. This tiny island is now alone, so it’s become very domestically focused. It’s solidifying that no matter how long I have lived in the UK, Europe is my home, and despite Brexit and not being in the European Union, the UK is inside the continent of Europe.

Europish: A new identity

I am happy to say that I have travelled across Europe and absorbed its culture as I went. I am glad to say that I have been raised in so many different countries by some fantastic people. Travelling is in my blood, and I hold no remorse towards Poland. I am sure that I will someday return for a substantial time and allow it to shape the next piece of the puzzle that is me. I also love the UK and what it has allowed me to pursue, and how it has supported me in my adolescence. I am still young and taking in the world like a sponge, so who knows how I will turn out in the coming years. One thing is for sure; I am bound to blog about it!

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