My Erasmus Experience in Warsaw, Poland - by Daniel

Why did you choose to go to Warsaw, Poland?

Because it's a very interesting city, distanced from the most popular parts of Europe, and situated in the geographical centre of the continent (making it easy to travel around). It's also cheap!

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

Nine months, and I received 210 euros per month.

What's the student life like in Poland?

Not very different to the atmosphere there is in any European city: there are lots of Erasmus students, people go travelling a lot and like to enjoy themselves, etc.

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

Yes, definitely. You can lead a good life on 450 to 500 euros per month, going out three or four times a week either to party or to eat. Once you've gotten to know the place, you'll find it's a city full of opportunities.

What's the food like in Warsaw?

There are both good and bad parts. The fillings and soups are excellent, but in terms of protein the fish is quite bad and it's hard to find supermarkets that sell much more than panga, smoked salmon and things like that. The meat's fine, but there are some really tasty ones too - for example, tatar (although I think this might be a Hungarian dish).

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

It's all down to luck. I know people who found interesting and newly refurbished flats, but that were far away from the city centre (and in Warsaw this really is very far, since it's such a big city). Around the city centre, you can find 3 to 4 bedroom houses, but the problem is that there often isn't a lounge since they usually count it as a bedroom so that they can advertise it as being cheap. You've just got to make an effort (turn on Google Chrome translator for Polish webpages and lose your fear of talking to Polish landlords) and hope, then you'll find something decent!

How expensive is everyday life in Warsaw?

In my case and in the case of many people I met, your average monthly spending would be about 450 to 500 euros per month (so 1, 800 to 2, 000 zloty). The exchange rate helps a lot and the weekly nightlife is quite cheap, as is doing your shopping in Biedronka or Tesco.

Accommodation usually costs about 900 to 1, 000 zloty per month for a room in a house 7 or 8 minutes by bus from the city centre, with bills included (in my case, mind).

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

Polish is the stuff of nightmares! It's possibly one of the most difficult languages in Europe. I started going to a course, but then stopped for two reasons: one, the pace was ridiculous and we moved so quickly that there wasn't time to learn anything, and two, because the young people here speak a lot of English (and are quite good at it too).

The universities provides free courses, which teach you how to ask a few questions, but not much more (it depends on your individual skill too, of course).

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

The cheapest way of getting there from Madrid is to get a Ryanair flight to Krakow and then a train to Warsaw. The whole journey could take you nine to ten hours, depending on the amount of time you have to wait at Krakow Station. It cost me 70 euros a few times, but the first time it'll definitely cost you more since you won't yet have your student card, which usually gets you a discount of about eight or nine euros.

From Krakow Airport, there's a direct bus to the train station, and the signposting is very clear.

What are the best places for partying in Warsaw?

During the week, the Erasmus students (especially the Spanish ones) go out to Remont (a club below the Riviera student residence, a concrete eyesore next to Politechnika metro station), Park (in the park in front of Riviera), Medyk (near the Centrum), etc. At the weekends, people go to loads of different places: some go to Opera, some to Platinum, some to Bank, some to Organza, Artystow (just in front), Klubo... there's no shortage of options.

Praga is the less mainstream place. You'll read in forums that it's not the safest places. The more alternative and cool bars are there, and the atmosphere is very good.

What about eating out in Warsaw? What are your favourite places?

A super famous place (at least among the Spaniards) is Podwale - we mostly just call it 'the Czech place'. There are two of them in the city: one about 200m from Pl. Zamkowy (where the Royal Palace in the centre is), on Podwale Street, and the other in Konstytucji Square.

If you like Asian food, there's a place hidden down an alleyway in Nowy Swiat run by Vietnamese and Thai owners which serves the cheapest and tastiest Asian food I've ever tasted. It's called Co Tu or something similar.

There's also Milky Bar, which is just outside the Podwale fortress, between Mostowa and Dluga Street.

What does Warsaw have to offer in terms of culture?

The Uprising Museum is a must-see. I don't know if they've finished the Polish Jews Museum yet: it was partially open in June, but there still wasn't much to see inside. The Wilanow Gardens are quite beautiful in the springtime, Lazienki Park and the outdoor concert there are great, as are the palaces nearby.

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

Enjoy the city and get to know as much of it as you can. Visit Krakow several times, travel and get to know the real centre of Europe.