Erasmus Experience in Lodz, Poland by Doroteja

Why did you choose to go to Lodz, Poland?

Because I really wanted to go to Poland, regardless what city, also I have been given the opportunity to do a segment of my experimental part of my master thesis.

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

I was there one month (CEEPUS program) and the scholarship was enough to cover dormatory and some of the food expences, rest I had to add some of my own money Problem was that I was not accepted as a student even though I was there in laboratory, doing research for my student master thesis - these are just some of their rules. So if you are travelling with CEEPUS program I recommend that you carefully read all the regulation about students right in host town.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lodz?

Awesome! I was there part of April and May. Go in spring or summer semestar, there is lot more stuff to do and places to go.

In my blog I wrote more information!

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

Yes I would, but definitely in summer semester.

What is the food like?

Food was very tasty, there are some places where you can eat for lower prices and the food is really tasty! One is at Philology collage (near to Lumumby campus) and the other is Infosys at Pomorska street. Also, if you eat there after 5 p. m. the food is cheaper 30% from original prices.

From traditional Polish food try pierogy - sweet or salty, with chocolate/meat/cheese...

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lodz?

No, my host university mentor arranged it.

How much does it cost to live in Lodz?

Well if you are living in dormitory it is around 270 zlotys for 3 persons bed room, 300 zlotys for two person bedroom. Of course, it depends of dormitory condition, if dormitory is newer the prices are higher.

Food at stores is not so expensive, eg. one lunch at Infosys is around 10 zlotys and in restaurants 20. Poland is not so expensive country, especially if you are coming from England or Spain.

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

It easier to understand it if you come from Slavic country (eg. Balkan! ).

I was just working in laboratory so I didn't take courses in Polish language, but my friends from ERASMUS programme said to me that some Polish language courses exists and most of them attended it.

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

From Zagreb to Lodz the most economical way is with a bus, company called Flixbus. Zagreb-Prague-Lodz, it a 19h drive but it is very cheap (45 euros one way). There is a possibility to take a plane, but in one way it's around 140 euros, depending when you book your flight.

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

Read my blog.

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

Read my blog.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Didn't really had time to see much, I worked in laboratory almost every day till 4 or 5 p. m. and when I rest and ate something it was already too late to visit any cultural places. But don't worry, if you are travelling with ERASMUS I'm sure there will organise something for you, eg. I was at Jewish cemetery. I know it doesn't sound good/happy/fun, but I like to listen to historical stories and how do other religions live, what happened to them in the past and Poland is simply a country full of Jewish history, I found out what mark they put on the women's or men's tombstone and why, also the reason to put stone on their graves and not flowers...

In Lodz they happen to have one of the biggest Jewish cemeteries in Europe and our guide was having a tour of almost 2 hours, it was really interesting and I enjoyed listening.

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

Just enjoy your time as a student in another country! It's an experience which I would recommend to everybody! Check if there is some city you want to visit, people usually go to Gdansk, Krakow, Warszawa, Wroclaw or Poznan - and what's important you have a discount of 50 % with your student card in Fabricna station for buses and trains, but you don't have it in Polski bus. you can buy a ticket for the train, I think it's the most economical offer.

Also, if you come in summer semester go to Juwenalia party, I didn't go (went in Krakow for 3 days) and I kind of regret it (just a little! ).

Krakow was also amazing! because I heard it was really awesome, hanging out, barbecuing and party for students that last 3 days and nights!