Why Study Polish?
Polish is the most commonly spoken Slavic language of the European Union and the second largest Slavic language in the world, with over 50 million users across the globe. Polish culture has a remarkably rich tradition, shaped by a millennium of artistic and intellectual innovation as well as struggles for political, social, and cultural independence. Poland survived the two world wars and half a century of communist rule to emerge as a regional leader in East-Central Europe, the fastest-growing economy in the EU, and home to one of the most vibrant cultural scenes in the world. Polish diaspora counts among the largest in the world with major concentrations in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, and France.
The Polish major offers courses in the Polish language, literature, culture, politics, and one of the most intricate, fascinating histories in Europe, providing the knowledge and skills for successful careers in business, politics, diplomacy, arts, translation, international law, environmental science, journalism, national security, tourism, and cultural services.
Slavic Studies Certificate
Did you know that…
Polish language, literature, film, and culture courses count towards the Slavic Studies Certificate?
Enroll in the Third-Semester Polish (Slavic 207) and Fourth-Semester Polish (Slavic 208) language sequence or higher to fulfill the language requirement. To explore our program’s course offerings in Polish language, Polish literature, Polish film, and Polish culture, start here.
Click here to learn more about the Slavic Studies Certificate, including how to get in, requirements, and learning outcomes.
About Our Program
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Polish Studies Brochure
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Celebrating Beyond the Horizon: Polish Culture Symposium
Following the 2025 Wisconsin Slavic Conference, the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus hosted another major Slavic event: a symposium on Polish literature and culture under the theme Beyond the Horizon. The symposium brought together Polish cultural …
Polish Program Students Win Polanki College Achievement Awards
The UW–Madison Polish Program is pleased to announce that three students in our Polish language program: Sydney Kurszewski, Gavrielle Lent, and Ryan Rowe were awarded the 2025 Polanki College Achievement Awards. Congratulations and gratulacje! Polanki’s College …
Announcing 2025-2026 Polish Language, Literature, and Culture Awards
The UW–Madison Polish Program is pleased to announce the winners of the Lapinski and Gąsiorowska awards for the academic year 2025-2026. Among the awardees are undergraduate and graduate students who will receive financial support for …
UW–Madison Polish Faculty Elected to NAATPl Board
Two members of our Polish Studies program, Krzysztof Borowski and Łukasz Wodzyński, were recently elected to serve on the Executive Board of the North American Association of Teachers of Polish. The election results were announced …
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Digital Storytelling: The Polish-American Experience
Over the past semester students in our Polish-American Experience course have created digital storytelling projects that highlight Polish migration to the Americas. Check out several of these projects below to learn more about the long rich history of Polish migration in both United States and the Americas as well as the meaningful work you can take part in as Polish major at UW.
Multicultural Central Europe
In Spring 2022, during the Multicultural Central Europe course, Krzysztof Borowski had his students complete a collaborative mapping project. For the project, each group selected, researched, and presented (both digitally and in class) a diverse place or community on the map of Poland and Central Europe. These projects are now made available to the general Wisconsin public and beyond. Check out several of them below to learn more about the region's rich and diverse heritage throughout the centuries. The projects also showcase some of the meaningful digital project work you can undertake in Polish culture courses at UW-Madison.
Lapinski Scholarship Opportunity
This scholarship is available to undergraduate students currently enrolled at UW-Madison who will be continuing in UW-Madison in the next academic year or for graduate students entering into UW-Madison or continuing in a UW-Madison graduate program. The Lapinski Scholarship provides money for UW-Madison tuition for students studying Polish language, literature and culture. The annual deadline is on or around March 1. For additional information on this scholarship, please visit our Lapinski Scholarship Application Information page.
For more information on the Polish Language and Culture Program, please contact Professor Ewa Miernowska.

Alumni Stories
Hear from some of our alumni and students on why you should study Polish at UW Madison!