Gloria's Erasmus experience in Poznań, Poland

Why did you choose to go to Poznan, Poland?

Source

I chose to go to Poznan because I didn't know anything about Poland and was interested in getting to know the culture, customs and especially the gastronomy. When looking for information I found that it was a European city which had a low cost of living, which is perfect for a student. Upon arriving, I discovered that the city was beautiful, it's very well connected with the tram and the food is spectacular, and very cheap.

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

Classes in the first semester start in October, even though the Erasmus scholarship begins in September and ends in February more or less. I personally received about 200 euros a month for five months.

What is the student atmosphere like in Poznań?

Poznan is a university city and is full of young people. There are lots of student halls and normally the students all go to the same bars or discos, so it's easy to meet people from universities other than your own.

Polish students are very open and most are willing to help you out!

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

Yes, definitely. I would recommend Poznan to all types of students, whether they're studying humanities, technology or science. The teachers and courses are very well designed. Classes aren't too hard and there are a lot of libraries. Above all, history students will feel very comfortable, as well as those studying biology, because they have a really good science program.

What's the country's food like?

The food is fantastic. Most of the restaurants are very cheap and are affordable for students. However, you don't need to eat out every day either. The supermarkets sell Polish food as well as typical European products like milk, cheese, and all kinds of meat, so it's easy to maintain the same diet you had at home.

I would particularly recommend a restaurant called Manekin. I would say it's a must-go.

Did you have trouble finding accommodation in Poznań?

When I enrolled at the university (Adam Mickiewicz University) they asked if I wanted a room in one of the student halls, and I said yes. Honestly, I was very comfortable. My room was located in Jowita, a residence very close to the city center. It was a little poor but it had everything I needed to live half a year.

How much does it cost to live in Poznań?

If you don't count the trips of every Erasmus student will go on, living in Poznan costs between 300 and 600 euros per month. It also depends if you know how to save or not, or if you are in a residence or in a shared flat. You can find well priced apartments, but they are always a bit more expensive than residences. I paid about 130 euros per month for a single room in the residence.

Food is not expensive, but you have to know how to buy effectively, because at first it seems very cheap and you soon get out of control.

The initial expense is always the most expensive: dishes, cutlery, pots, and all kinds of utensils that you don't bring from home. Luckily there's an Ikea 20min away from the center, but you do have to take the tram.

How was the language? Did you go to any course at the University?

Polish is complicated, let's not kid ourselves. I didn't go to any course, although at university they offer three types of intensive courses worth 2, 4 or 6 credits. It just depends on the teaching hours that you want to do.

I tried to learn Polish on my own but I soon realised this wasn't possible. Through day-to-day life you learn the basic words: hello, goodbye, please, thank you, yes and no.

Most Polish students and teachers speak English, but the general public don't, and they have a hard time understanding the language, especially in stores and supermarkets.

What is the cheapest way to get to Poznan from your city?

In my case I travelled from Barcelona. Wizz Air company has very good prices and travels directly to Poznan.

But you can catch a train (Polrail) or a bus (Polskibus) from Krakow, Warsaw or Gdansk. It's very very cheap, but the bus usually travels at night.

What places would you recommend for a night out in Poznań?

The town hall square with the colourful houses, Stary Rynek, is the square seen in all the photos of Poznan. All around it are lots of disco bars. The most popular one in the area is called Cuba Libre, all the Erasmus students in the city go here. Nearby is Czekolada, which is another nightclub that is also worth going to.

For cocktail bars: Pijalnia. There are two in Poznan but you can find them all over Poland. the shots are very good, they have several flavors and they're very cheap, just like beer.

And eating out in Poznan? Can you give us your favorite places?

Manekin! Without a doubt, it's exquisite. They make sweet and savoury crepes and is definitely the best restaurant in the city.

Pierogi restaurants are also highly recommended. There are several around Poznan, one is Pierogarnia. It's not very far from the center and you can eat very well here at a great price!

And how about as a tourist destination?

As an art history student, I totally recommend the city. There are many monuments worth visiting, and an amazing park just outside, beautiful.

They also have many museums, both art museums and Polish history museums, which I would highly recommended!

Any advice you want to give to future students in Poznan?

In the first semester, from October to March, it's very cold. We're talking -13 degrees, so there's no moisture in the air. So you just have to make sure you buy a warm jacket and you're good to go! I survived with a Decathlon snow jacket (there's a Decathlon in the city, by the way).

Have a great time!