Erasmus Experience in Krakow, Poland by Toms

Why did you choose to go to Krakow, Poland?

I will be honest. At first, I wanted to go to Warsaw, because some of my friends were going there on Erasmus, but there were already 3 people going there, so I got Krakow as an alternative.

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

For me, it was about 430 € a month, for 5 months.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Krakow?

Compared to my home universities city, there are a lot of things to do here and you don't have to spend much money on them. There are parties every week, which are organized by ESN, trips and tours. There are a lot of international students here, so making new friends isn't hard. After all, they are in the same boat as you.

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

I would absolutely, the city is vast and beautiful, with many landmarks and places to study. Places of knowledge such as museums and libraries are quite widespread. Especially if you come from a country with high prices, Krakow is perfect for you.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Krakow?

For me, I got a dorm room, so it's about 95 € per month. The instructions to apply for dormitory are given when you get accepted into the university.

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How much does it cost to live in Krakow?

I would say about 80-150 €. I know there is a big difference between the numbers but it depends on what or where you eat, and what you spend money on.

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

It depends on what languages you know. For me, I had the option to take paid language courses, two weeks before the semester started. I was a long experience. If you already know a Slavic language, it will be easier to learn polish.

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

I traveled from my capital. At first, I went from Riga with ECOLINES to Warsaw, it was around 30 Eur, but you can get a ticket for cheaper, 15 or even 5 Eur. Then, from Warsaw, I went to Krakow for 7 Eur. But in total, the trip was around 22 hours.

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

It is better to stay safe and travel with people you trust. And avoid shady people and areas. And when people approach you and try to invite you somewhere, refuse.

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

I haven't been to many restaurants, but my dorm cafeteria is pretty good. It's at Żaczek.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The National Museum is one of them, but you have to pay to see the exhibitions. There are some free weeks. The Kościuszko Mound is an impressive place to visit. You can see the entirety of the city from there, even beyond it. There are a lot more places, but I have yet the opportunity to visit them.

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

For the first-timers traveling, if you have no place to stay, I recommend Airbnb. It's 15 € a night, I made the mistake of not knowing about it on my first few days, before getting a dorm room.