Erasmus Experience in Gdansk, Poland by Nicolai

Why did you choose to go to Gdansk, Poland?

I wanted to see the place where the Solidarnosc movement started in the 80s, also to be close to the Baltic Sea (which exceeded my expectations) and to understand more about the culture of Eastern European countries.

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How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I will be here for the entire academic year. I have a scholarship which provides around 300 euros per month.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Gdansk?

If you study in Oliwa, like I do, there is quite a distance to get to the center, so don't expected to take part of that life every day, unless you live there or if you want to take the tram (or train) every day to get there. In Oliwa there is not much you can do, Manequin and McDonalds are probably the most visited places and you will also end up there. But there are a bunch of local pubs and restaurants that you might want to check out, especially near Oliwa train station (and Oliwa Park, which is very nice) or towards Wrzeszcz. Check the Facebook groups dedicated to Erasmus students and attend those events, they should provide you with a wide range of choices. And when it comes to the University, it's up to you to decide if you want to study hard or not so much. The Library, which is very close to the faculties, is good place to focus on your academic tasks.

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Would you recommend the city and the University of Gdansk to other students?

Yes, it's totally worth it. But I think it's much more enjoyable to be here in the second semester, as the winter is sometimes harsh and the days are short. There aren't many activities that you can do outdoors, except for some festivals.

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What is the food like?

I really like the cheap fish, it's probably the cheapest place in Europe where you can get such good fish dishes. There are a lot of places near the sea, but also in the city center, where you can have a delicious meal for around 7-12 euros, which is very good for a meal out. If you go to the supermarkets you can cook the same dish for about 4-5 euros. The shops have a very good supply of ingredients (meat, fish, vegetables) at very reasonable prices, even for somebody coming from Eastern Europe.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Gdansk?

I had to pay for a membership, but nothing else. I was lucky to discuss straight with the apartment owner, not an agency.

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How much does it cost to live in Gdansk?

It depends a lot on your lifestyle and your needs. It can be as cheap as 250 euros, provided you stay in the dormitory and cook your own food (and you don't go out that often). Of course, the sky is the limit if you want to spend more. But the average amount is 400-600, depending on how often you go out. It's probably best to travel more and spend less on the parties. But that depends on the individual.

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Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The University provides weekly language course and the Polish students can help you with the vocabulary, if you really want to learn it. But the language is pretty complicated and you need at least 3-4 month to understand the basic things, for an average person. That is because you need to speak a lot of English, besides your native language, you need to focus on the classes and other hobbies you might have... it gets messy really fast.

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What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Gdansk from your city?

Low cost flights are the best option, in terms of speed and price. Wizz Air provides a wide range of destinations, at the moment. The bus or train from either Warsaw or Krakow are good options, as well.

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Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Gdansk?

There are many places, it shouldn't be a problem. Everybody recommends Sopot (you will find your way there), but there are quite a lot of places in Gdansk too. It's up to you and your preferences.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Gdansk?

Like I said before, the places near the canal are really good (if you find 12 euros an acceptable price for a meal) and also the taverns located in Brzezno. There are more fancy restaurants, you will notice them easily if you walk around the city center, there's no point to name one (the all have great food, anyway). If you want to choose the cheap option, the University has a canteen. Or you can buy food from the supermarket and cook for yourself.

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Visit the museums in the center, the canals and the entire Old Town. Go to Westerplatte and Hel. Don't forget to visit also Gdynia and its center, it's lovely.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Gdansk in the future?

Choose the summer semester, if you can.

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