Experience in Poznan, Poland by Sylvain

What is it like to live in Poznan? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Poznan is really fine.
I came here the first time for a work exchange and international internship with my studies in 2016. I came back with Erasmus in 2018 and stayed still now, I am leaving in Poznan now, I even do another master at Poznan University of Technology. It's really a great city to leave in, beautiful and big but with the feeling of not leaving in a big city. Summer and Winter are fine also with weather but spring and autumn are quite sad.



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What is the student lifestyle like in Poznan?

It's is really cool, you can do a lot of things there that you're for parties, for the culture of education (is Erasmus you will be asked if you come for studies or if you prefer the "tourist way").
Lot of new things to discover for history, a specific culture if you take attention and great parties.

How much does it cost to live in Poznan?

Everything depends on your way of life but is become more and more expensive. For "survive" you can deal with 1000pln/month but if you want to be comfortable 2500pln/month won't be too much.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Poznan? Is there any advice you can give?

It depends on what you want ! if you want a dormitory with your university is really cheap and easy (but also really small) however I advise you to deal with dorm at the beginning of your stay for a look once you're here.
After you can look at Facebook group, Olx or gumtree to find a flat.
In dorm will pay between 350 and 800PLN (for 9 to 20 square meter to share with 1 or 2 other students, if you go to Poznan University of Technology I advise your the DS4, it is the most comfortable with private bathroom and kitchen).
In the sharing flat, you will pay between 600 and 1000 pln.
For your own flat, you will pay more than 1200pln for something decent.
all price include bills in what I mentioned, but be cautious bill are not always include in offer so don't forget to ask

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Wow ! As a French I like good food, after all there is French cuisine which is so famous but omg Polish Cuisine is good too! I like often to put together French and Polish Cuisine, they fit good.
I advise you the rogal marciński(speciality of Poznan with even a patent), Bigos, Pierogi, Zurek, Rosol, czernina, kotlet schabowy, smoked fish, etc... just try everything you can.
For your information in Polish cuisine, there is often pork (an is really good) but if you don't eat pork you can find a lot of vegetarian and vegan stuff (which are also good, the fake meat recipe is really good - even though it's not taste like meat it taste a different way and good... tell the guy which like meat a lot).

What places would you recommend visiting in Poznan?

Lot of place, of course, Stary Rynek at midday, the cathedral, the Jesuit cathedral, malta lake, Wolnosci Place, Warta river, the roof of the university of economics, etc... which are well known and visible on trip advisor.
But also Rogalin Palace, New and old zoo and other city in Wielkoposlki

Is it good to eat out in Poznan? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It is, there is lot of good restaurant in Poznan, I personally recommend Gołe baby which are the best burger I ate in Poznan (better and cheaper that Fat Bob Burger for example), they have burger with beef and pulled pork, usually you will have to wait between 15 and 20 minute so during this time you can go to a beer in kultowa or proletaryat. There is also Domu which has really good food and Ratuszova which is really really good but more expensive. There is much more place but be cautious of the price (and the best polish food you will eat from polish house if you have a friend which invite you to his grandma you will eat great polish food)

Is the nightlife good in Poznan? Where is good to go?

Yes, it is more than good, there is more place to go than time usually. I recommend kultowa or proletaryat to drink and then pacha or SQ klub, you have also Cuba Libre if you're drunk enough to enjoy it but you will cross here more foreigner than polish (I let you guess why)

What advice would you give future students heading to Poznan?

A lot.
First, even if almost everybody in the city speak English in a big city I advise you to learn some polish basic on Duolinguo, it will make people happy to see you try and if you chose to see the countryside you will need it.
If you speak Russian just don't or double-check with your interlocutor that you can, there was a lot of sad history between the 2 countries, the good point is that you will learn Polish in an easier way and understand some words (the same if you speak Ukrainian, Czech, Slovakian, Bulgarian, Croatian, or any other Slavic language).
If you have the opportunity to visit other Polish cities just go (you have 51% reduction in transport as a student).
There is a stereotype that Polish people doesn't like foreigner, well is not true but is not totally false but if you're European nothing wrong should happen to you (if you're not eighter as long as you're respectful but be more cautious about faux-pas).