Erasmus Experience in Wroclaw, Poland by Fernando

Why did you choose to go to Wroclaw, Poland?

It's a beautiful city and it was named the cultural capital of Europe this year. It's full of interesting things and its layout and architecture make it quite a strange place. Aside from its prices, its cultural diversity, which I had read about before I came, was evident in every corner of the city. Secondly, but no less importantly, it has a really good student lifestyle, great parties and, as we all know, beautiful women.

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How long did the grant last? How much financial aid did you receive?

You get €200 a month for 7 months if you are staying for the entire year. The city is cheap but you get by, let me explain, they give you money to pay for the residence and some for food. But if you live in a flat, they'll only give you money for rent. Although, of course, it depends where you're coming from, there are regions in Spain that give a lot of financial aid to its students.

What is the student lifestyle like in Wroclaw?

The student lifestyle is good, there are places you can go out for drinks 7 days a week and where there'll always be people out. On the other hand, Polish people aren't very open to being friends with the other students. There's always a extra trust between Erasmus students here in this city, it's as if we already all knew each other. Regarding music and things like that, Wroclaw, although it isn't a huge city, is a pretty big place and you'll find all different kinds of vibes in the city centre, from weird Polish stuff to Reggae or any other kind of music. There are even bars where they play bachata and people go to dance with their partner, further proof of the city's cultural diversity.

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

Of course I would, and even more to Erasmus students. The city has everything, you won't outgrow it and if you like art and culture, or town planning and architecture, it's the city for you. You can really get a good feel for the city from the photos you see, I was personally really surprised by its beauty and diversity. The public transport there is pretty good, run by trams and buses. Concerning the university, it's at a pretty normal level, even though Erasmus students have to admit that they make it too easy for us, so if you want to enjoy your Erasmus year, you should come here. It's also pretty well connected with the rest of the cities in Poland and you'll never stop travelling if you find the right people. I've been here for 2 and a half months and I've been on 4 great trips as well as a few others, so many that I missed exams.

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What is the food like there?

The food in Poland isn't what stands out about the country, but it's not bad either and it's very cheap. There are a lot of buffet restaurants where you can pay by the weight of the food, so for €5 you get to have a veritable feast. They have pierogi, which are a kind of Polish style dumpling, meaning they're huge and really full, 5 of them is enough for a good meal. They also have a strange soup that is served inside of a big loaf of bread, but I can give you my opinion, as I'm yet to try it, but I have heard good things.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Wroclaw?

No, the university offers you a place in a residence. Each university has different residences and the one you'll go to depends on which faculty you are at. However, finding a flat here can be quite difficult if you don't do it far enough in advance.

How much does it cost to live in Wroclaw?

Three hundred euros a month, including a gym subscription and food, but not what I spend on beers.

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

The university puts on courses so you can get by in day to day life, but they won't teach you how to have conversations. Polish is, by far, one of the most difficult languages I have ever known.

What is the easiest or cheapest way to get to Wroclaw from your home city?

If you buy your flights in advance and on particular days, it can turn out to be very cheap to fly directly from Madrid. Or there are flights to Krakow and Berlin, too. But the price always depends on how far in advance you manage to buy your tickets.

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Where would you recommend for a night out in Wroclaw?

The Erasmus club nights are good for the first few weeks, after that you'll be bored of them, they're on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are good clubs in the city, although they may not be very big, there are all different types of them: for dressing up, for techno music, for Reggae... Wroclaw has them all. The best thing is that a pint of beer only costs €1 or €2!

And to eat in Wroclaw? What are some of your favourite places to go?

The hot wings from KFC after a night out are a hangover lifesaver.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

It's a great city for culture, there's a bit of everything. On the one hand, you have the city's rich history which is quite a surprise and you can see it in its architecture. It has a lot of islands with churches, parks and beautiful bridges on them. The city's squares are the most beautiful squares in Poland, Wroclaw has a special kind of charm.

It was named the cultural capital of Europe this year and it's full of museums, churches and different places with their own unique charm, you'll even forget you're in Eastern Europe.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Wroclaw?

The Erasmus experience here is amazing, but be aware that you have to be careful with some people here who are pretty racist. At night and at the weekends, those kinds of people go out looking for trouble and it's best not to get caught up in any of it. I'd advise that you keep your head down and do not have anything to do with them, it won't end well.