Erasmus Experience in Warsaw, Poland by Christina

Why did you choose to go to Varsovia, Polonia?

It is a cheap country, it has a contract with my hometown university, it is not too far from home, there are courses offered in English, it is a good previous experience during school exchange.

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

September 2015 to July 2016. I received 900 euros for the whole time (Erasmus +).

What is the student lifestyle like in Varsovia?

Good, many events offered by ESN, easy to meet people.

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

I can highly recommend the city.

UW not that much, because it is extremely theoretical and the workload is huge compared to German universities. Plus not many courses offered in English at the Faculty of Sociology and some teachers do not speak good English.

What is the food like?

It is okay but not the healthiest food and very much focused on meat.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Varsovia?

No, not to find accommodation even though I was spammed with offers from agencies.

How much does it cost to live in Varsovia?

It is very expensive! I pay 1322 zloty for one private room in a flat shared with 2 other students in the city centre (plus bank fees for the money transfer: currency change from Euro to Zloty which is quite high).

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

No, Polish is extremely hard.

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I am doing a Polish course (A1) at university, attended a 2 weeks intensive course in September and do language tandems with Polish students but I still find it very hard. However, I have gotten used to the language a little by now compared to the beginning.

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

I am from the West of Germany and took the night train (Euro Night) from Wuppertal directily to Warsaw. However I would say that a flight is probably the easiest (germanwings Düsseldorf - Warsaw).

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

Aioli, Veggie Miasto, Prasowy bar mleczny.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Stare Miasto, Palac Kultury i Nauki, Lazienki Park.

Insider tip: Hala Mirowska.

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

1. Try to pick Erasmus classes, they are a lot easier than the classes with the majority of people from Poland.
2. Try to pick classes from other faculties if your faculty does not offer many (interesting) courses in English.
3. Try to learn as much Polish as possible before you arrive as many people here do not speak English (especially older people), unless you only stay for a short time.
4. Try Polskibus for trips around Poland.