Poznań, Poland
Instagram: @sophiastacated
Tell me about yourself?
I’ve always found it rather difficult to define myself. I assume the easiest way is to introduce myself through the lens of my social relationships or roles. I’m a 24-year-old girl from Poland. I’m a daughter, a sister and an aunt. I’ve been happily in love for almost a year. I’m a former student-athlete and a chemist. Currently I am almost halfway through my MD degree, which makes me an long-term college student. My favorite ways to relax are tennis, long distance running, hiking and exploring my favorite country in the world – Czech Republic. I’m also passionate about social justice topics such as feminism, sex workers’, LGBTQ+ and POCs’ rights as well as socioeconomic inequalities. I guess one could describe my political views as socialist. I take pictures for fun and as a form of self-expression/keeping record of my memories and experiences. I often post them on social media, which is my way of keeping a digital diary. I wish I could have some musical education, because I would love to make some electronic music.
What was the hardest thing you’ve faced because you are a woman?
I am undoubtely priviledged and I hope that I’m acknowledging it enough. Growing up in a middle class family in Poland, which has a very racially and religiously uniform population, I cannot say, that I felt any sex-related discrimination at the time. However, Poland is also quite conservative when it comes to Catholicism, therefore kids and teenagers aren’t being educated enough on gender, sexuality and reproductive health. I hadn’t realized how behind I had been on sex education until I moved to New York City for college. This lack of education (and perhaps ignorance) put me in numerous situations, which were not only dangerous for a young girl, but also held me back from finding my identity, confidence and self-assurance. Navigating through never-ending college parties, streams of alcohol and meaningless heterosexual relationships was a fake illusion of indepence and maturing. At the time I thought that I had all the neccessary tools to engage in responsible sex. But responsible sex isn’t just protection from STDs and unwanted pregnancy. Nobody has told me about the psychological experience associated with a sexual encounter. I had to learn about standing up for intimate justice all by myself. I believe that boys and young men have easier access to those information, because sex in the popculture is narrated from men’s perspective and because male sexuality is not nearly as taboo as female sexuality. And I think it’s surprising, how many social inequalities are a result of improper sex education. It may not seem like “the hardest thing I’ve faced because I’m a woman”, but for me these things were incredibly challenging and required a long time of self-education. Such knowledge should be easily accessible and taught at schools according to the scientific standards. I believe that changing the prude narrative about sex is essential not only for straight cis women, but for everybody. Especially heavily discriminated LGBTQ+ community in Poland and people living on the edge of poverty.
What’s the greatest advice you’ve received?
I’ve always been surrounded by very strong female role models. I am very close with my 81-year-old grandmother, who has always been truly ahead of her time. Having experienced World War II, she has always argued that education is the most powerful tool against poverty and the best path for a woman to become independent. Her advices were, and still are, very progressive for an elderly lady. One particular message, which she keeps telling me, has stuck with me for years. It can be looselt translated into “knowledge cannot be erased” but her exact words are “the information you possess are your own property and cannot ever be taken away from you”.
I keep that in mind almost always. I recall it when I doubt myself during med school exams and when I educate myself on literally any new topic I’m unfamiliar with. I really believe I managed to avoid being manipulated and/or mislead by simply sticking to this simple advice.
What drives you in life?
I feel like this question is the hardest to tackle. I won’t sound too original, but my family, friends and my boyfriend definitely are my greatest motivaton on a day-to-day basis. However, there are also some other things which motivate me. I set myself some personal goals when it comes to sports and athleticism. I like seeing how far I can push my body. Running is often the greatest joy and a perfect tool a self-challenge.
In addition, I am often thinking about my future job as a doctor and am already trying to define my work ethics and principles for the future. I would love to contribute to better patient-healthcare staff relationships. I believe there is so much room for improvement in this area. I think better standards of treatment of patients could largely contribute to improving the public opinion about not only the healthcare industry, but also science in general. It terrifies me to see how much people disbelieve vaccinations, global warming or the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that it’s my duty as a future doctor to spread credible information and to treat people with dignity. I want my future patients to be immune not only to infectious diseases, but also to fake news.
A.G. Project 