Bridging borders: Poland’s initiatives for international academic collaboration

The chapter examines the landscape of international academic careers in Poland, emphasizing the importance of faculty mentorship and mental health support. It explores the legal framework, cultural context, and governmental initiatives. Beginning with an analysis of the 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science, which transitioned the collegial management model to a managerial one, the chapter highlights its consequences on academic governance and freedom. It then delves into the types of academic migrants in Poland and underscores the importance of faculty mentorship, as well as the challenges of cultural integration and language barriers faced by international scholars. Government initiatives like the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and the National Science Centre (NCN) are examined for their roles in promoting international careers and research collaborations. Through Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, two case studies illustrate the challenges in faculty mentorship and mental health support for international academics in Poland. Finally, the chapter contributes to career theory by applying Trait-and-Factor Theory, Super’s Developmental Theory, Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory to the Polish context. Recommendations are provided to enhance Poland’s support systems for international academics, aiming to foster faculty mentorship and mental health support, thereby creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for their professional development and well-being.