Skiing instructor helped by strangers

Polish woman stuck in B.C. offered lodging, a job and a friendly chat

VANCOUVER—“I’m sure this is gonna sound ridiculous or strange, but …”

So began many emails in the Star’s inbox regarding the plight of Paulina Swierczyna, the 34year-old Polish ski instructor who found herself stuck in Whistler, B.C., after the Whistler Blackcomb resort closed because of the coronavirus.

Swierczyna had told the Star she couldn’t return to Poland because of a ban on incoming international flights, but also couldn’t find another job in Canada due to work visa restrictions.

She is among tens of thousands of temporary foreign workers in Canada who have been left in limbo during the pandemic.

The Star published her story on March 24. Within minutes, calls and emails started to arrive. Some offered a place to stay, others friendly conversation in Polish to lighten the loneliness.

“This is not my norm to offer a room to a stranger … however my humanitarian value and this current state with COVID-19 has prompted me to contact you,” read one email.

A few readers said they were from her hometown of Zakopane, Poland. Many were part of the large Polish communities in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto. Others simply wanted to help. Swierczyna received all of the messages, nearly 20 in total.

“I’m so grateful,” she said. “It’s awesome that there are so many people.”

Vail Resorts, Swierczyna’s former employer and owner of Whistler Blackcomb, also contacted her. She said a company representative told her she could stay in her current apartment — staff housing for Vail employees — rent-free until the end of April.

After that, a company in Kelowna, B.C., offered to hire her as a translator. Two Hat, a tech company specializing in online content moderation, contacted the Star to reach Swierczyna. “We at Two Hat have been looking for a Polish language specialist for quite some time,” the email read. The message was a relief to Swierczyna.

While her future remains uncertain, with no guarantee of housing past this month, Swierczyna said she feels reassured by the kindness of strangers.

“At least you know you are not alone,” she said.