Erasmus Experience in Krakow, Poland by Burak

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Why did you choose to go to Krakow, Poland?

Among my options, Poland was the best choice. Krakow is a great historical city and there is so much to see and experience here. The Main Market Square is one of the oldest squares in the history of Europe and it shows. Also, the city is more or less in the center of Europe so it is really easy to travel anywhere in Europe. For an Erasmus student, ease of travelling is definitely a big plus.

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

I got close to 1100 Euros for 4 and a half months of stay in the city. You probably need more than that if you are staying close to the city center and like to spend a lot of time outside.

What is the student lifestyle like in Krakow?

There are close to 220, 000 students in Krakow so it is easy to say it is a very student-friendly city. There are several parties every day at various clubs in the city center and other than parties, there are many ways a student can entertain himself/herself. It is really hard to get bored in Krakow.

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

Yes I definitely would. If you have a chance to come here, do it.

What is the food like?

The local cuisine is rich. There are kinds of food for everyone's taste. The prices are not so high either unless you eat in a really fancy restaurant.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Krakow?

I contacted an agency for a room in a shared flat, so I had to pay a commission fee beside rent.

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How much does it cost to live in Krakow?

Not so much. It is a relatively cheaper city compared to other European cities. Beer and food are cheap and also is transportation. So around 500-550 euros a month including rent for a room should be more than enough if you give up some of your luxuries.

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

Polish seemed like a really tough language to learn but there is a Polish course in my university so if you want, you can learn the basics and use it effectively in daily life.

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

It may not be economical but travelling by plane is definitely the easiest way when you travel a long way. If you are somewhat close to Krakow, I'd say travelling by bus or train is better.

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

Definitely the city center if you are the party type. The clubs are really good. There always big parties at The Point, Shakers, Frantic and Lokal.

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

Basically most places in Old Town are good so I don't have a favourite.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You should definitely go to the salt mine, the Auschwitz concentration camp and Wawel Castle, which is great too. You can also find many museums and art galleries close to city center that's worth checking out.

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

You will have an amazing time here I guarantee it. And don't forget to bring warm clothes because it can get really cold between December and January. Like -20 degrees.

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