Erasmus Experience in Katowice, Poland by Alejandro

Why did you choose to go to Katowice, Poland?

It seemed like a bit more of an uncommon choice, which could be a much more valuable addition to my Erasmus experience, and I thought that going to Poland would be a good alternative (it was the best choice in the end).

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

My scholarship lasted 6 months, although a lot of my friends got to enjoy a complete course there, and the financial aid depends on where you come from. Personally, I received €300 a month for my whole stay.

What is the student lifestyle like in Katowice?

The student lifestyle is really good, there are a lot of universities in the city, so there are several residences, and there are a lot more Erasmus students than I thought at the start.

Would you recommend the city and university of Katowice to other students?

Yes, personally, it was probably the best 6 months of my life, and it was thanks to the city and the atmosphere that I found there, apart from the people, of course.

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What is the food like there?

As it's a very cold country during the winter, they have a lot of soups (filling soups, they're nothing like the ones you get in Spain), and other national dishes, although it isn't hard to find restaurants serving other kinds of food.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Katowice?

For me, my home university (the UAM in Madrid) had an agreement with the University of Katowice about my accommodation. During my stay, I wanted to change where I was living and I had no problems doing so, I just had to wait until there was a place available in another residence.

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How much does it cost to live in Katowice?

I spent approximately €450 a month, all inclusive, although going on trips out of the country would cost more. If you spend more, this is just the approximate amount I usually spent, every person will spend a different amount.

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

I didn't have the opportunity to learn Polish, personally, because the course offered by the university didn't start until the second semester. By then, I had already gone back to Spain, but most of my friends there did get the chance to learn it.

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

I live in Madrid, and the cheapest way to get to Katowice is a direct flight with Wizzair. Although, now I think they don't fly this route anymore and you have to fly to Krakow or Warsaw and get a train from there.

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Where would you recommend for a night out in Katowice?

There are a lot of places to go on nights out, we usually used to go to Pomarancza, Kwadrat, Energy and Strazny.

And to eat in Katowice? What are some of your favourite places to go?

We only actually used to go a place next to the residence, called Panorama.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

It's really worth going to the salt mines and Auschwitz, because the city itself is very industrial and there aren't many interesting tourism sites there. Although, there are some very lovely cities not to far away, like Krakow, Wroclaw, Warsaw, etc.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Katowice?

Enjoy it as much as possible, because you won't have another experience like this ever again!