Eastern Europe at Penn

Eva Studenny
January 1995

Eastern Europe may be miles away, but some students at Penn bring it closer to Philadelphia. Whether it is to learn about the culture of a recently much-talked about part of the world, to locate a job possibility in the emerging markets or to calm the fe elings of nostalgia and homesickness, students at Penn have been organizing to share their interest in Eastern Europe. "We feel that people at Penn know a lot about that part of the world and their reason for getting together is to share in their common interest," said Dean Chisiu, president of the Eastern European Club at Wharton.

The Eastern European Club was organized in 1992 by Eva Morawska, professor of sociology and history, and an American of Polish descent. Since its formation, the club has been active in presenting that part of the world at lectures and cultural events. M uch stress is also put on helping interested Wharton students in getting job contacts in the Eastern European countries.

With the increasingly difficult job market in the United States, for many students work abroad is an attractive option. The international students at Wharton in particular, look towards Europe as their potential future employer. There are also many othe rs who, either because they are fluent in a European language or simply because they are interested in that part of the world, find the emerging opportunities in the Eastern European countries attractive. To cater towards this interest, the Eastern Europ ean Club has set up a program called "Resume Book Mailing." Interested students submitted their resumes, which were subsequently organized into folders and sent to prospective employers. Around one hundred folders, or resume books, were put together by c lub members and sent out in December to consulting firms, investment banks and other companies located in Europe and Russia.

The club also sponsors lectures in order to spark interest and increase knowledge about business opportunities. Paul Laudicina, vice president of A.T. Kearney, a consulting firm, spoke to 45 students in December about the role of consulting firms in deve lopment of private enterprise in Eastern Europe. To top it all, an Eastern European party was organized in late November, featuring authentic music and food. For the remainder of the year, club members were busy locating sources of scholarships for stud ents and planning a spring break trip to Russia. Appropriately titled the Study Tour, the trip will offer a mix of business and pleasure. Approximately 35 students plan to see the sights in Moscow and St. Petersburg while also finding time to meet with business representatives in those cities.

As Eastern Europe gains in prominence, interests multiply. Last semester a group of students organized a Polish Community at Penn Club. The newly formed group meets every other Monday to plan events and chat over coffee and cake. Some members also mee t weekly on Wednesdays for a Polish-table lunch at LeBus restaurant, in order to practice their Polish language.

The club already boasts around thirty members, ranging from people who only recently left Poland to Americans of Polish descent. The new club serves as an anchor for students and faculty who are interested in discussing issues related to Poland and the r apidly changing climate there, in broadening their horizons regarding possible careers in Poland and in forming friendships with people who share similar interests.

"There is a great international community at Penn," said Chisiu, "all these clubs have to do is provide an opportunity to get involved and people respond."