Erasmus Experience in Krakow, Poland by Guillaume

Why did you choose to go to Krakow, Poland?

-improve my english but not in an expansive country (polish young people speak pretty well english)

-I have some polish roots

-I knew people from central and eastern europe before and they convince me to go there

-cheap country especially for students from western countries

-I wanted to experience a different culture, especially in a post-communist country

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

One semester, from mid-february to end of june. But I want to do my internship in Krakow too, so the summer too potentially.

I get almost more money that I can spend... from the french state, region, and european union commission.

What is the student lifestyle like in Krakow?

Krakow, it's more than 100 000 students for around 1 million people. There are always some various places to party, people are in the street even at 5 AM.

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

Absolutely, Krakow is a wonderful multicultural and dynamic city. It's not a too big city or too small: it's perfect.

You will meet people from everywhere.

What is the food like?

Cheap, different from the western food but with a lot of similarities.

It can be difficult to find some products that you find easily in the western countries.

Pork is for example the main meat in central europe, you may have to search for some beef.

For instance, french people will miss cheese, crême fraîche, lardons and steaks...

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Krakow?

Nope, facebook is the best way to find some students willing to share a big flat with you.

I live with 5 flatmates from France, Germany, Finland and Spain.

We are in a big flat with our own bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets......

You will feel depressed and lonely if you live alone in erasmus lifestyle.

How much does it cost to live in Krakow?

That depends on your rent. I pay the equivalent of 275€ (around 1100 zlotych) per month but all bills included and we have a 100m² flat...

You can find some modern and awesome flat for 900 zlotych probably.

I would say that prices are in general 40% cheaper than in France, more or less.

That depends a lot about the kind of products. Clothes prices are amost the same.

You can eat for 4€ in some restaurant, sometimes less in the "milk bars".

1 vodka shot in Poland is almost 4 times cheaper than in Paris......

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

Polish is one of the most difficult language, except if you already speak a slavic language of course.

But I managed in 2 weeks to learn the alphabet (latin but with some differences) and how to pronounce properly letters and words.

Then, you can learn.

Polish language can sounds like hell but it really isn't. To learn chinese or arabic is more difficult for latin language native speakers.

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

Tramway and bus. I paid 184 zlotych for 6 months of unlimited use of tram and bus.

That's around 45€...... so nothing.

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

Bars in Kazimierz like Alchemia, you can eat zapiekanka (it's a kind of some delicious polish panini) all night when you're drunk and hungry.

Clubs in the main square, tram party, etc.........

Nightlife in Krakow is always dynamic!

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

Not really yet. Prices can vary a lot. Be careful about currency and some restaurants which steal money from western people :)

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Aucshwitz, salt mines, nowa huta, other cities in poland, prague, budapest, central europe..........

Central Europe is cheap and not so big, but culturally rich, so enjoy it and travel!

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

You're not going to miss your country and your previous life. I want to live and work in central Europe for a few years now !