The survey, published on Friday and entitled "Ukrainians on Their Life in Poland," draws on qualitative research conducted between November 28 and December 6, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The study reveals that, beyond job opportunities, refugees appreciate Poland's better-functioning legal system and predictable procedures, which allow them to plan long term.
Respondents praised Poland for offering better employment conditions, including job security, respect for workers, and opportunities for professional development and retraining.
They also noted a greater balance between work and personal life in Poland, attributing this to cultural differences and a more Westernized nature of Polish society.
However, the study also identified areas where Poland did not fare as well as Ukraine, such as healthcare and electronic services, particularly in banking and public administration.
Additionally, respondents observed shorter operating hours for stores in Poland, especially on weekends.
The language barrier emerged as a significant challenge for Ukrainians seeking better positions in Poland, with learning Polish cited as one of the greatest hurdles.
Additionally, the influx of refugees, many of whom arrived with children, has made it harder to find housing, according to the study.
Market and anecdotal data appear to confirm this, pointing to a significant rise in rental costs and dropping availability since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Refugees expressed mixed feelings about the support they received in the initial months of the war, describing it as "overwhelming" and "not fully thought through."
They also mentioned varying attitudes among Poles towards Ukrainians, and occasional resentment by long-standing Ukrainian residents in Poland towards the newcomers, accusing them of voicing ingratitude and entitlement.
Despite these challenges, the majority of respondents expressed a desire to return to Ukraine if peace were restored.
They were skeptical about initiatives to create Ukrainian schools in Poland, arguing that such measures could hinder the process of integration into the broader society, especially among children.
The survey also delved into the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations, with respondents offering mostly pessimistic predictions due to economic competition and historical grievances.
When asked about their affinity for other nations, Ukrainians expressed a closeness to Poles and other Slavic and non-Slavic Eastern European nations, while attitudes towards Russians, Belarusians and Bulgarians were more ambivalent due to perceived political alliances, the PAP news agency reported.
The study, involving five groups of seven to eight Ukrainian respondents from three Polish cities with diverse educational and socioeconomic backgrounds—the capital Warsaw, Wrocław in the southwest, and the central city of Łowicz—shed light on the stereotypes Ukrainians hold about Poles, noting their reserved nature, reliance on formal dispute resolution, and strong family orientation.
Despite these cultural differences, the study found that Poles are perceived as more affectionate in close relationships and value their tolerance, patriotism and frugality.
The sample came from two groups of Ukrainians: war refugees and those who had come to Poland prior the outbreak of the full-scale war to seek employment or further their education.
This CBOS survey offers an insight into the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges they face, reflecting the complexities of integration in a context of ongoing war and cultural differences.
CBOS is a well-established private opinion-polling and research firm relied upon by many media organizations, whose methods have occasionally come under criticism, in particular in the area of election polls.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
