Poles and migration challenges in Europe since 1989

Polacy licznie emigrują począwszy od XIX w. Zjawisko to wyhamowało po II wojnie światowej na skutek polityki władz państwowych. Sytuacja ta uległa zmianie w 1989 r. Zintensyfikowanie ruchów emigracyjnych nastąpiło w 2004 r., po wejściu Polski do Unii Europejskiej. Oceniając zjawiska migracyjne zwraca się uwagę na pozytywy i negatywy. Z jednej strony doświadczenie pobytu na obczyźnie sprzyja „cywilizacyjnemu ubogaceniu” poprzez umocnienie takich cech, jak przedsiębiorczość, decyzyjność, tolerancja, krytycyzm, z drugiej zaś ujawniają się zjawiska negatywne, nierzadko o charakterze patologicznym. Polska jest miejscem, w którym osiedlają się przybysze z innych krajów, przede wszystkim z byłego ZSRR oraz Dalekiego Wschodu.The phenomenon of migration in the Polish society has been observed since the beginning of the 19th century. In that century many Poles left their country, looking for „happiness” abroad. In the second half of the 20th century emigration brought to a stop – it was not the phenomenon accepted by the state authorities. The situation changed after 1989. The intensification of emigration movements followed the access of Poland into the European Community on May 1st, 2004. Evaluating migration phenomena, attention is paid to advantages and disadvantages. On one hand the experience of stay abroad is favourable for „civilization enrichment” by strengthening such features as enterprise, decision making, tolerance, criticism, on the other hand though, negative phenomena come to light, not infrequently of pathological character. Poles who go abroad contemporarily, undertake the jobs as factory or farm workers, they are also valued as qualified work force. Many find jobs in the health care system among others as doctors, nurses or pharmacists. Poland is not only the country from which people emigrate only. It is also a place in which newcomers from other countries settle. Those, who come from the former Soviet Union integrate quickly with the Polish society. Mixed marriages contribute to it and also participating in religious services within the Roman Catholic Church. Immigrants from far eastern territories establish enclaves in Poland, within which they nourish the tradition of their countries of origin. The language barrier is a problem for foreigners with which they are confronted in Poland – in relation to „common” citizens and in offices