Erasmus Experience in Toruń, Poland by João

Why did you choose to go to Toruń, Poland?

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The weather is the opposite than that of my country. I wanted something different. Besides that, Toruń is a calm place. Toruń's prices are low when compared to neighbouring cities.

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

I received enough money to pay for my flight and all my house rents. However, it did not cover the cost of food for all the months (from September to February).

What is the student lifestyle like in Toruń?

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Extremely good. The city's economy benefits a lot from erasmus students. Therefore, there are a lot of events created especially for students.

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

Absolutely. So far my experience with the university and the city has been positive overall.

What is the food like?

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I like polish food. However, I am pretty sure I am an exception in this case. Most of the students (especially from southern Europe) have a tough time getting used to the food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Toruń?

Yes. Unless you stay in the dorms in a shared room, you will have a tough time finding a place to live. Most people are skeptical of establishing a contract with a non polish speaking person. However, if you just stay in the university dorms, it's really easy to get a room.

How much does it cost to live in Toruń?

The room rent should be somewhere between 100 and 200 euros. You can easily find a place to eat for 15 zloty, which roughly translates to a little more than 3 euros. Which leads me to conclude that the cost or living in Toruń is low.

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

There are language courses available at the university. However, the language is extremely hard to understand. Let alone master it. Of course, this comes from the perspective of a person who speaks a latin language. I assume that if you are someone who speaks a slavic language, you should find it easier to understand polish (which is also a slavic language).

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

Airplane to Warsaw and train from Warsaw to Toruń.

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

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Try out the old town (stare miasto in Polish). Pubs like Kadr or Kredens are often a good choice.

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

If you are into polish food like myself, try out Piekarnia or Manekin. Otherwise look out for any Italian restaurants (there's plenty of options).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The old town and every museum in it are quality museums with free workshops for you to bake your own gingerbread cookies (for example).

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

Try to use public transports to get around Toruń and even Poland itself.

As a student in Poland you get 50% discount!

Bring warm clothes. Winter is rough in here.

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Lastly, avoid doing things alone. Exploring Toruń and the rest of Poland is much better when you do it with friends.