Abstract:
Poland has recently received a significant influx of migrants, presenting both challenges and
opportunities for a society traditionally perceived as monolingual and monocultural, as well as
for its higher education system. As migrants living and conducting research in Warsaw, Poland,
from diverse sociocultural backgrounds, we have witnessed firsthand the increasing
internationalization, linguistic and cultural diversity, and the resulting complexities faced by
academic institutions. Using a duoethnographic approach, we reflect on our lived experiences as
part of a transdisciplinary, cross-cultural research team. Through an ethnographic analysis of
personal narratives and critical incidents, we identified systemic gaps in higher education
institutions, including insufficient support mechanisms and communication skills to address the
needs of international students and scholars. These shortcomings can lead to exclusion,
discrimination, and existential personal challenges for those navigating academia abroad. We
thus advocate for improved policies and support mechanisms for all members of the academic
community through heteroglossic practices and the establishment of international, hybrid Communities of Practice to de-hierarchize higher education and facilitate cross-cultural
collaboration.
