I am interested in studying in Poland. What do I need to know about studying and living in this country?

If you decide to study in Poland, you will certainly enjoy its perfect location – Poland is in Central Europe and with a population of over 38 million people, is the sixth most populous country in the European Union. Its territory extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Tatras Mountains in the south.

Poland is a large, modern European country with a rich history and culture. Poland’s cultural heritage has a history extending back over 1000 years. The country also has a long tradition of higher education – with the first university in Poland being founded in the fourteenth century. Poland is an increasingly popular place to study – each year more than 65,000 students from around the world decide to study in Poland.

Being a student in Poland involves much more than just learning. Poland’s culture is comparable to other European countries but with a unique character all its own. Many young Poles are lovers of alternative culture, as evidenced by the numerous large music festivals.

Polish cuisine is well known for its delicious food and flavourful dishes such as traditional dumplings. Also, the culture of healthy eating and careful selection of organic products is currently very popular. Poland is well known for being at the forefront of promoting and supporting food trends such as those which are bio and organic and without GMOs. Occasionally in Poland’s larger cities, organic food fairs are organized, as well as numerous restaurants and shops for health-conscious consumers are readily available. What’s more, in comparison to other European countries, food prices in Poland are very affordable for foreign students.

Socrates-Erasmus Program

Since 1998, Poland has been part of the Socrates-Erasmus program, and currently there are more than 300 Polish universities involved. In 2013 alone, the Erasmus Program brought some 10,000 exchange students from all over Europe to Poland, who mostly chose to study in universities in the cities of Warsaw, Poznań, Kraków, Wrocław and Łódź.