Polish woman found a home at Lenoir-Rhyne

For the past few years, Polish native Agnieszka Biczak has made Lenoir-Rhyne University her new home.

Initially from Czestochowa, in southwest Poland, Biczak first came to America in 2003 when she was 18 to be an au pair in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a family with three children.

“I wanted to learn English, because with that language you can communicate with anyone in the world. I was also really interested in the culture,” Biczak said. “I took an intensive English study class, and the kids helped me a lot.”

She improved enough to begin classes at the University of Cincinnati the following year. Biczak earned her associate’s degree from the school, and then took a two-year break from schooling and returned to Europe in 2006.

“I traveled around and went to Spain for a while and taught English,” Biczak said. “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. I really wanted to help people. I think most of the world has a need for health care, and I have a love for children.”

She decided to go back to school and get a degree in nursing. She chose Lenoir-Rhyne University because of friends.

“When I was in Cincinnati I met a family that worked with Proctor and Gamble that had Polish roots. I met others through them, and one lived in Hickory,” Biczak said. “I came to visit them and saw Lenoir-Rhyne. I liked that it was smaller and had a community feel. I liked that you know everyone on campus.”

She said she also heard the university’s nursing program was good and had a long history. Biczak applied to the school and received a scholarship to attend. In 2008, she began school at L-R and has enjoyed it ever since.

“People are so helpful here. The staff will help you with any concerns you may have,” she said. “Being away from home, that’s important. I went to work at the admissions office on my birthday and they had cake for me. I didn’t expect it.”

That’s not to say that every day at Lenoir-Rhyne — and the U.S. — has been easy.

“It’s been very challenging, but also rewarding,” Biczak said. “There are some days I think, ‘I can’t do this,’ but then I can.”

She said her professors in the nursing department have been very helpful. Biczak is also grateful to those in the admissions office and the financial aid office, as well, for helping her be able to study at L-R.

Biczak also had to get used to how the U.S. works, however. Although she spent some time in America before, she had to reacclimatize herself when she came back in 2008.

“People did not walk as much as in Poland. My family did not have a car when I was growing up. And I had to learn how to drive an automatic (car). I didn’t know how to drive without a clutch,” she said, although Biczak learned to drive while still in Poland. “I’m glad there are a lot of sidewalks around L-R, because I usually walk or ride my bike to school.”

Biczak said she also misses the local shops in Poland, like the bakery near her house with fresh-baked bread and the deli with fresh meat.

However, there are other similarities that she loves.

“Hickory is very family-oriented, which is how I grew up in Poland,” Biczak said. “L-R is like that, too. We all celebrate the start and end of the school year.”

She said it’s hard to believe she won’t be coming back for another semester.

“It’s such a surreal experience. I don’t think I realize yet that I’m not going to come back after this semester,” Biczak said. “I think I’m going to really miss it.”

She plans to be an active alumna, though. Biczak is the recipient of this year’s Frances M. Farthing Award, given to the graduating nursing student with the highest scholastic average in nursing. She is taking her state board exam in June. After that, she hopes to get a nursing job in the area. The first in her family to get a college degree, she has big plans.

“I’d like to start on a medical or surgical area, to get a good foundation. It’d be nice to work on all our skills we learned,” she said. “And I really like the Hickory area. I’m not a big-city person. Hickory is very friendly. I want to go to grad school, but I want the experience first.”

Biczak plans to eventually be a nurse practitioner in pediatrics or psychiatry.

“It’s interesting how I rebelled from the family and didn’t stay in Poland,” she said. “LR became my home away from home. It’s been an amazing experience for me.”