Story of Erika from Lithuania
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My name is Erika, I’m 33. I work in the field of E-commerce and I originally come from Vilnius, Lithuania. I've been living in Krakow for 4 years now, having moved here for work and a need for change and also to try myself in another environment. This is actually my second time living in Krakow, as I first came here on an Erasmus exchange program 12 years ago.
What is Home?
I've been thinking about the concept of "home" a lot. Recently, when considering traveling again, I realized I'm not looking forward to being somewhere else - it feels exhausting somehow. But when I think about traveling as a broader concept, it's something we've done since childhood, even in metaphorical ways through our imagination. Now I find myself traveling more inward - learning about psychology, which I want to study, practicing meditation and yoga. It's a more spiritual journey directed inward rather than outward. This reflection led me to understand that home is something you carry within yourself, something that travels with you.
Life itself is a journey - we don't know where we come from or where we're going. We're just experiencing this existence in these bodies, at this time, with other people, and it's a coincidence we're all living in the same era. You can build or buy a house, but that won't necessarily give you a sense of home. Without people who feel like family, it's difficult to call any place home.
Kontakt. Przestrzeń Ruchu i Tańca
Contact dance school, also called Przestrzeń Ruchu i Tańca (Space for Movement and Dance), became one of the most important places for me in Krakow. It's where I met many people who I became friends with.
What makes this place special is its openness and accessibility. You can join activities with a Multisport card, and they host free weekly gatherings and parties where anyone can participate or play instruments. It's a non-judgmental, somewhat hippie environment where you meet diverse people with different careers who share interests in movement and dance. The center regularly hosts concerts and performances featuring flamenco, oriental dance, and visiting artists, making it a significant cultural spot on Krakow's map. It's one of the few places in Krakow where people are open-minded and you can start conversations with strangers without fear of judgment.
Park Jordana
Park Jordana became especially important to me when I lived in Krowodrza. I used to hang out there a lot — it wasn’t just a green space but a social and creative hub. We often organized our own gatherings, bringing instruments, hammocks, food for picnics. Once, a friend even led a Playfight workshop there. It’s also where we practiced slackline and acro yoga. The same people would come, and the community naturally formed around it.
What really makes the place special is the atmosphere — very easygoing and open-minded. It’s welcoming, friendly, and full of good memories and shared energy.
Bouldering Club MOOD
The main thing I like about bouldering is the sense of community. I had climbed a little before, but I never really knew how to do it properly, so I would often just drop out. But when you go with a group and feel that support — people cheering for you, giving advice, helping you figure out where to place your hand — it changes everything. Sometimes I found strength I didn’t even know I had just because someone was rooting for me. It starts to feel like a shared challenge — you're all trying the same route, facing the same difficulty and when someone makes it, that joy is shared. It doesn’t feel like you’re doing it alone anymore.
That’s incredibly powerful and even emotional at times. I think this is something I really discovered in Kraków — how much of a difference it makes to be surrounded by people who uplift you. You can do the same thing somewhere else, but without that kind of support, it’s just not the same.
In the end, it really comes down to the people. You can do bouldering or dancing anywhere, but the atmosphere and the connection depend on who you share it with. And I believe that the more open and in touch you are with yourself, the more you can truly connect with others — not just on the surface, but in a much deeper and more meaningful way.
Multicultural Centre
Since discovering this center in Kraków, I feel like I’ve gotten a second breath. There was a time when I felt disconnected from the city and from the activities I used to love — I had even stopped dancing. But now, meeting new people through the multicultural center helps me feel connected again. I’ve realized my priorities are shifting, that not everything can be about fun and movement — like biking every weekend — but about finding meaning and building something lasting. That’s part of why I want to study psychology and eventually become a therapist. The events at the center introduced me to people with diverse perspectives, including professionals, activists, and creatives. I especially enjoyed a talk on feminism lately — not only for the topic itself, but because it allowed me to see my own knowledge reflected in a broader context.
Moonlight in the Home
​For me, decorating the flat became an important part of feeling at home abroad. I started to notice how even small elements — like lighting or pieces of art — could completely transform a room. It’s not just one thing; it’s a combination of things coming together to create a feeling.
For example, I got a few simple lamps that weren’t expensive at all, but they changed the atmosphere completely. Suddenly, the room felt different — warmer, more personal. I have a sunset lamp and another one that projects stars, and they give this effect of the night sky and another can switch to an aurora colours. A friend of mine had something similar, and I was inspired by that. I also really enjoy having plants now, especially since you can choose different kinds and even adjust lighting to match the mood. These little things made a big difference in how I experience my home.
Hiking in the Tatra Mountains
Hiking in MaÅ‚opolska has been one of the most memorable parts of my time living here. Nature was actually one of the reasons I chose to move to this region. I once spent ten days hiking through the mountains, staying in shelters along the way — since pitching tents isn't allowed. It was one of my best holidays, and I also crossed over to the Slovak side during the trip. The mountains here, especially in the High Tatras, are incredibly impressive. It’s fascinating how such a high-altitude, alpine landscape exists in the middle of Europe and so close to Kraków.
The nature around MaÅ‚opolska really adds to the experience of living here. It’s gotten more expensive lately, but I still dream about returning to the shelters and doing another long hike. Some trails are surprisingly challenging — real mountains, not just hills — and that adds to the adventure.