Being one of the top student destinations internationally, Poland provides all new students coming from different countries with an enriching cultural experience. There are lots of positive things to tell about historical monuments, stunning scenery, city life and the wide range of social events for most of those studying in Poland. Many of them felt that studying and living in Poland helped boost their self-development.

“The beauty of this magnificent city is captivating and so are the many cultural events that take place here. I would highly recommend Gdansk to all my friends as it is a city with plenty of possibilities. Concerts, plays, museums, etc., are here to take you on a Polish culture trip and help you develop your personality at the same time. There is a large business center here with many world-famous businesses investing here, so students have very good opportunities to find a job. Knowing many languages is a bonus making it easy for Erasmus students to find a good job”– Student from Lithuania.

“While studying in Poland, I had the opportunity to access the world’s most popular libraries (such as Emerald, Elsevier, etc.) free of charge, learn a new language, and travel with my Schengen visa to various East and West European countries. I made foreign friends and felt empowered to understand people and myself better. This has given me the confidence to travel and explore the world more. The education, culture, and experiences have molded me into a confident person like never before.” – Student from Azerbaijan.

The low tuition and living costs are one of the main advantages listed by students, which means Poland is relatively inexpensive and accessible for a large number of students. The staff and teachers of most universities are polite, always ready to help and offer support. Though the facilities at most universities are above-average, there is a lot of scope for improvement.

“CUE’s teachers were very friendly and showed genuine interest in each student, their culture and background. While we were excited to learn, so were the teachers as they interacted with students. I feel like I have learned a great deal from my exchange program, as I have been able to research subjects that I would not usually have chosen in Australia, particularly those related to Europe.”– Student from Australia.

“Poland is a low-cost country compared to other European nations. You can easily find accommodation at low prices here and take the saved money to travel and explore other countries.” – Student from Portugal.

Poland has cold weather, which may be uncomfortable for many students from the tropics or the Mediterranean. A few reviews that were given by students also shed light on the quality of English in some universities. Others have also said that the programme can be a bit more demanding. This may be ignored by students looking just for a foreign experience, as they are more likely to concentrate on the positive cultural benefits and personal development rather than focus on the curriculum’s rigour. The low level of English at some universities in Poland was also stated in a few reviews. Those pursuing higher standards of English may want to pursue programmes taught in Poland by foreign professors.

Compared to other Western and Eastern countries, the cost of education in Poland is a lot cheaper and affordable. The tuition fees in Poland start from lower than 1500 EUR per year and never cross 3000 EUR. When compared to the tuition fees in universities in West European countries like France, Germany, the UK, or Scandinavia, you save a lot of money by studying here in Poland. While Northern European countries cost students roughly 10000 EUR per year, tuition expenses in France are usually between 2000 to 7000 EUR.

However, your expenses of studying in Poland are not limited to just your university fees. The real catch is in the cost of living, which in Poland, is very low. Sharing a flat in the heart of the city can cost you 100-150 EUR while you can get a room in the student dormitory for 100 EUR. With a monthly public transport pass costing only EUR 25 per month, and the freedom of cycling during the warmer months, your cost of living is barely anything compared to other Western countries. After a couple of weeks in Poland, you’re sure to learn how to get a movie ticket for EUR 3 or a delicious lunch for less than EUR 5. Poland is ‘the’ land for the thrifty.

Being a student is not all work and no play. Student life, especially away from home, is often exciting and fun, and you learn a lot about life along the way. Be it sports, drinking, socializing, weekend trips with friends, picnics, or travel – every experience makes your student life more memorable. If this is the kind of student life you have dreamt of, look no further than Poland. Owing to the rapid economic growth since the early 2000s, Poland offers a cultural and dynamic lifestyle, similar to other popular European destinations. Each summer, some of the best pop and music stars visit the country. Young Polish citizens are huge fans of alternative culture and flock to attend festivals like Open’er or OFF Festival. To keep up with the trends, each university organizes its own carnival each year, called Juvenalia. This time is set aside for students to pursue their hobbies, perform, learn and get interested in anything but studies. 

Poland has been part of the Socrates-Erasmus program since 1998. As of today, over 300 HEIs are functional. A report stated that around 10,000 students came to Poland in 2013 from Europe alone. Students coming to Poland from a country that is a part of the Socrates-Erasmus network do not need a special visa to enter the country for studies.

If you come from a country that is out of the Socrates-Erasmus network, there is no need to worry as there are a large number of non-EU scholarships that are released every year for international students. Most of them are given to students from Eastern European Partnership countries. It is safe to say that almost all students, EU or non-EU eventually find a scholarship that they are eligible for. The best way to gain a scholarship before you arrive in Poland for your studies is to contact the Polish Embassy in your home country.

Polish food is known to be soothing, comfortable, and satisfying. Some popular dishes like pierogi and kiełbasa are proof of the same. Polish cuisine is said to be ideal for the health-conscious as they take extra effort to consume organic and non-GMO foods. Eating healthy and picking organic foods for their dishes is part of the Polish culture. Due to the high demand, there is also a huge supply of healthy, organic food. In fact, it is very common to see organic food fairs being held in every large city regularly, as most customers, even at restaurants, request healthy food. Due to the high demand among Polish citizens, organic food is actually affordable; the price is only a little higher than other items. 

The Polish are very hospitable people and go out of their ways to welcome you into their homes and hearts. This is a characteristic feature of Polish society. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if your morning breakfast invite gets extended into a full-day plan where you leave your guests’ home only after dinner. You can never win with Italian and Polish grandmothers they say, as they won’t ask you but instruct you to have a meal before leaving their home. If you find it difficult to arrange for accommodation, Polish people will not hesitate to open their home for you for a few nights. The Polish are very warm, friendly, and great storytellers. With history ingrained in them, everyone can tell you wonderful stories about their country and instantly transform into a tour guide.

People in Poland have a peculiar sense of humour. Throughout the communist period in the country, people were forbidden to speak the truth or give their honest opinion about specific things. This thought process gave rise to a Polish system of jokes, expressions and sarcastic comments that are subtle yet convey criticism in an encrypted way, keeping the humour high. However, even after the end of communism, the Polish still love their jokes and keep them alive even today. Subtle humour and witty comebacks are always appreciated. If you have a knack for this kind of fun, you are sure to be loved by the Polish. If you are not so good at coming up with something witty, it will be great if you can prepare a few jokes or keep your eyes and ears out for some inspiration.

• Located in central Europe
• Area: 312,685 sq km
• Population: around 38.4 million
• Capital: Warsaw (also the largest city)
• Borders with Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine and the Baltic sea
• Students will need a minimum of 30,000 PLN (~US$7,820) per year to cover their living costs in Poland.
• International tuition fees can reach up to ~US$4,180 per year at public universities.
• Poland has a TV channel dedicated to the Pope.
• National currency: zloty (PLN)
• More winners of the “World’s Strongest Man” competition than any other location
• 17 Nobel Prize winners
• 9,300 lakes, 23 National Parks and one desert
• 90 percent of Poles have completed at least secondary education, the highest score in the EU, along with Czechs, Slovaks and Slovenes.
• Polish-born astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was the first person to suggest that the Earth was in fact not the center of the universe.
• 70 percent of the Nazi extermination camps during WWII were located in Poland, including the three most infamous, Auschwitz, Treblinka and Belzec.