Work-life balance

A stack of smooth stones stands in perfect balance, symbolizing the harmony between work and life, with a serene waterfall in the background.

Throughout my long career as a migration scholar, I have endeavored to achieve a balance between work and personal life, often encountering challenges in doing so. However, last week I came close to my ideal of balancing work and fun ....

Attending a migration conference in London

Last week I attended a two-day biennial conference on migration to and from Poland, organized by Anne White, a fellow migration scholar, at the UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. You can read Anne's newest book on migrants in several small cities in Poland here.

On the first day, the speakers highlighted new research on Ukrainians, Belarusians, Turks, and other migrants residing, working, and accessing services in Poland. The second day focused on Poles (and Ukrainian refugees who previously lived in Poland) residing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other Western European countries. Some presentations placed Poland within a European context, comparing it with other Central and Eastern European countries and their migrants. Many speakers followed an intersectional approach, examining the unique experiences and perspectives of women, children, parents, and both young and older individuals. Others concentrated on the attitudes and policies of host societies that influence migrants' lives abroad.

Special Issue of Migration Studies-Review of Polish Diaspora on Migration Decision-Making: Exploring the Choices and Challenges Faced by Migrants and Refugees.

I was struck (again) how much attention Polish scholars pay to Ukrainians living in Poland, possibly at the cost of exploring the lives of other migrants.

In my own talk, based on a recently published article, I analyzed decision-making processes among a diverse group of migrant families residing in Poznań and Wrocław, Poland. The families are diverse in the sense that they include families headed by single parents (mainly mothers, but

also fathers) and families with two mainly but not exclusively heterosexual parents.

In certain families, all members shared the same ethnic background, while others consisted of parents from two different countries, with children born in yet another nation. Some families had lived in multiple countries before settling in Poland. The children and their parents originated from a diverse range of countries, including Brazil, Belarus, France, India, Iran, Nigeria, Poland, South Korea, Türkiye, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Several children were from mixed families where one parent was Polish and the other from another country, such as Brazil, France, the UK, or the US.

After I delivered my own paper, I could relax and concentrate on the rest of the presentations. I enjoyed all of them, but was particularly impressed by Annelie Bachmaier's talk titled The writings of a wanderer: Migration, uprooting and the notion of ‘home’ in Avrom Zak’s works. She floored us all not only with her excellent close reading and analysis of Zak's writing and life but also with quotes in German, Yiddish, Polish, and Russian. What a polyglot!

Let the fun begin

Step into the glamorous yet cutthroat world of fashion with The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical, where ambition meets style.

After two intensive days at the conference, I was ready to have some fun! And there is never a shortage of interesting and fun things to do in London.

I started with The Devil Wears Prada, a musical at the Dominion Theatre, with songs by Elton John and Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly.

Although the show had mixed reviews, with some critics praising its fun, funny, and glamorous production, while others found it derivative and lacking in substance.

I thought the musical had plenty of toe-tapping tunes and was just what the doctor ordered for the beginning of a relaxing weekend.

A Hiroshige triptych from the Edo period at the British Museum, depicting elegant figures in traditional attire engaging in riverside activities amidst a vibrant landscape.

On Saturday morning, I went to the British Museum to see the exhibit of Utagawa Hiroshige's prints. Exquisite! It was a great compliment to the exhibition of Katsushika Hokusai prints I saw in Tokyo in May. Here is a nice article comparing the two masters of Ukiyo-e or Japanese woodblock prints.

Strengthened by a cup of tea, I headed to the Grarrick Theater in London's West End to watch "Mrs. Warren's Profession," a play by George Bernard Shaw, featuring Imelda Staunton and her real-life daughter, Bessie Carter.

Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Warren and Bessie Carter as her daughter, Vivie

When in Rome … or rather in London, do as the locals do and have a drink in the stalls (aka orchestra seats) while reading the program. While sounding strange to an American English speaker, stalls are orchestra seats. I had an excellent one.

There was also an after-theatre dinner at a nice French bistro near Covent Garden.

On Sunday, what else? Sunday roast, with all the trimmings, including Yorkshire pudding, at a neighborhood pub.

And I left the best for last, namely meeting up with friends in Hyde Park. We had a lovely conversation about reading and writing. Till we meet again!

I returned to Poznań, my home away from home, rejuvenated and ready to tackle some more work.