Erasmus experience in Szczecin, Poland by Christian

Why did you choose to go to Szczecin, Poland?

I decided to go to Szczecin because Poland is a cheap country compared to Italy and you can have a lot of fun spending less than at home! Moreover I didn’t have so many options so I was almost “forced”.

How long did your exchange last? How much were you paid?

My exchange lasted for a semester (from the end of September to the end of January). Technically we were supposed to finish all the exams until 17th of February but usually teachers try to select data before the starting of February so we can have some days/weeks to enjoy the city or traveling. I got 200 € from the Erasmus+ Programm and another amount from my Italian university (almost 200/250 €) and it was enough to live in the city.

What's the student life like in Szczecin?

Since that most of the students live in the dormitories it can be very funny. We usually used to meet all together in one room. It’s interesting and stimulating the fact you meet a lot of people from all over the world with different cultures and you learn new food recipes that you never thought about (for example special Turkish food). And in the other hand my friends really appreciate the Italian Lasagna and Tiramisu.

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

Szczecin is not a particular touristic city but as a student can be very funny. I suggest the city to everyone who wants to experience the Polish culture and meet a lot of different Erasmus students.

What's Polish food like?

I usually used to cook in the dormitory’s kitchen so I didn’t really try Polish food. The only exception are pierogis (a polish version of Italian ravioli) and the chocolate (E. Wedel, you will see this brand everywhere) which are really good. In general I saw that they usually eat a lot of different soups and meat (sausages for example).

Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Szczecin?

No, because the university provides for all of its students a place in one of the dormitories. If you want to live in a private flat, I’m sure it’s harder since you have to contact a real estate agency or looking by yourself in Polish websites (the owner of the flat, also, could not speak English…).

How expensive is living in Szczecin?

It’s not expensive at all! The dormitory is only 90/95 € each month, bills and the Internet connection included (Internet is not via WiFi connection but, Ethernet). Then the city since it’s not touristic as Krakow or Gdansk can be very cheap. Most of the pubs/clubs are free for students and they have special drinking prices (for example at Rocker cocktails cost 8 zł, 1, 80 €). Even buying food at the supermarket is not so expensive.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language class at the university?

The language is really hard. I just learnt some basics words that are useful in everyday’s life. The university provides a free Polish course, but you have to insert this course in your Learning Agreement before leaving from you home country or you can’t attend it.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Szczecin from your home city?

From Milano there are really cheap flights to Berlin (both easyJet and Ryanair) so I spent only 35 € to reach the German capital (10 € for the flight and 25 € for the luggage). From Berlin to Szczecin you have to take a bus and you have different options depending in which airport you’re arriving (Tegel or Schönefeld). The available companies are PKS, Flixbus and Interglobus. I personally suggest to check on the PKS website since for particular days and times there are special prices (10 zł, 2 € for the bus instead of the 10 € of Flixbus! ).

What are the best places for partying in Szczecin?

There are a lot of different clubs in the city and depending of the particular party we went to different places. The most known are surely Pinokio, which is really close to DS4 and DS5, Lulu, which is the most elegant and fancy -and expensive- club, City Hall, with two different dance’s rooms, Grey, Coyote and so on. But still our favorite was Rocker Club, a pub/disco club in the city centre with special prices and a good atmosphere. The Wednesday night is basically Erasmus night and me and my friends really enjoyed go there!

What does Stettin have to offer in terms of culture and touristic offert?

Szczecin doesn’t have so many touristic and ancient building like I’m used to see in Italy but still there are really nice places. I can suggest:

• Philharmonic of Szczecin a masterpiece of modern architecture. You can go inside for free and have a coffe and a piece of a good cake;
• The Cathedral of Szczecin: paying a small fee you can go to the top and see the city from the above, it’s really impressive!;
• Wały Chrobrego: one of the most beautiful spot of the city with a museum (free every Saturday) and an enjoyable view over the Odra river;
• Central Cemetery: one of the biggest cemeteries in Europe. It’s more like a park and it’s so good have a quite walk there;
• Park Kasprowicza: it was really good during autumn time. There are a small cozy lake and an open-air theatre;
• Cafè 22: it’s the tallest building of the city and at the floor 22 there is a bar. It’s more expensive than the average Szczecin bar prices but you have a 360° view over the city from above (perhaps even better than the Cathedral one).

And many others!

What about the university?

The faculty of Computer Science is pretty far from the dormitory (1 hour by foot, 20 minutes by tram). It’s a good structure anyway, both lecture’s rooms and laboratories. Lessons were held totally in English and it wasn’t so hard following them. Teachers are usually nice and try to help you as best as they can.

What about the travels?

Szczecin is not a strategic city for visiting the rest of the Poland since it’s in the extreme north-west. Anyway thanks to the 50 % student discount of Polish trains I was lucky enough to visit beautiful cities as Poznań (with its particular Christmas market), Gdansk (you must go to the Museum of Second World War! ), Wroclaw and the stunning castle of Malbork, one of the most beautiful castles I’ve ever seen in my life!

Close to Szczecin I also visited the Crooked Forest, a mysterious and impressive forest 20 minutes far from the city, and Międzyzdroje, a cozy small city on the Baltic Sea with wonderful views.

Moreover during this experience I travelled to more distant countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Germany and Czech Republic.

Do you have any advice for future students coming to Szczecin?

The most important thing is to have an open mind, try to understand and appreciate everything is different from your culture. Don’t hesitate to do something, don’t stay in your room all the time and have fun! It’s an unique experience and it should be lived at maximum as possible. One last suggestion is to try to avoid to stay all the time with people coming from your country but creating a mix group. Besides the fact you’ll be forced to talk English all the time, you’ll understand how beautiful diversity is.

Now I’m sure I can feel at home in Portugal, Romania or Turkey thanks to my amazing friends!.

If you want to know what happen in Szczecin during Juwenalia - the biggest student party in Poland, check out our post: Juwenalia: everything you need to know!