Erasmus Experience in Wroclaw, Poland by Wiso

Why did you choose to go to Wroclaw, Poland?

Well, to tell the truth, I didn't have anywhere else to choose from. My first options were Nottingham and Copenhagen, but the people in the study abroad office at my university messed everything up and I had to look for a third option and Wroclaw was the only one available to me.

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

The grant lasted 9 months and I only got around €100 a month (they gave it to me in 2 payments of just over €400, but I didn't get more than €1, 000 over the whole 9 months). But Poland is really cheap, if you don't spend like crazy you can live for very little a month. Although I did manage to spend my first €400 grant payment on a weekend trip to Berlin.

What is the student lifestyle like in Wroclaw?

It's incredible, there are a lot of universities here and it's 100% a student city. The city is pretty big, too. It's got a great vibe.

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

Absolutely.

What is the food like there?

I didn't like it, I wasn't particularly enticed by any of it. I did like pierogi and zurek, which is like a soup served in bread. Everything else was so-so.

Pierogi

Zurek

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Wroclaw?

No, my university got me a room in a residence. On the first day, I wanted to run away and change to living in a flat, because I thought that I was going to be in a room shared between 3 people and on top of that I'd have to share a bathroom with 10 people. In the end I managed to get a private room and sharing a bathroom with 10 people may seem like a lot but it isn't that bad at all. If you don't live in a residence, I doubt you'll interact much with any Polish people. I found it strange to see Spanish people who wouldn't interact with anyone from other countries.

How much does it cost to live in Wroclaw?

If you live in a residence, you can get by on about €400 a month.

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

Polish is really hard, but if you take the whole course, aside from being the best thing to do, you'll learn something. They put on a course at my university and I went to it. From everything that they teach you, knowing the basics for shopping, health and general survival is no small feat. To spend a whole year in a country and only know how to say hello and goodbye is a bit stupid in my opinion.

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

Ryanair

Where would you recommend for a night out in Wroclaw?

The Pasaz Niepolda, here you'll find Mundo, Melanz, Conqrencia, Eter, as well as Café Mañana, domówka, etc. There's a good vibe in Rynek in general. The only Erasmus party that's actually good is the one on Mondays at Alibi.

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

McDonald's, Pizza farina, Pizza bravo, Pizza hut. Kurna chata.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

I've been here a few months now and I haven't actually bothered to go and see anything that people talk about, but I want to go and see the Japanese garden and a few other places. The city looks beautiful on Google Maps.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Wroclaw?

If you want to hang out with people from other countries and Polish people, you should live in a residence. I would've missed out on a lot if I'd lived in a flat... More than once I've been gone from taking the lift in my pyjamas and, without wanting to or drinking, ended up at a Polish party. If you don't speak English, learn it even if you have to spend 10 hours a day doing so. If you want to hang out with people from your country, get your credits, chill out and be a tourist. It's an amazing city and you also have many European capitals a stone's throw away.

It's true that it's quite easy to pass there, all of my subjects where examined based on a final piece of work (wikipedia, copy & paste, etc. ) apart from one which I had do sit an exam for (I failed). In short, if you want to have a good time, to learn a new language and about a new culture, etc. Wroclaw (and I would go as far as to say Poland in general) is the perfect place for you to come to. The weather definitely isn't too bad, it's colder in Warsaw and Krakow than it is in Wroclaw and if it's cold, you'll settle into it. The weather in Spain is worse for me, you have 4 months of 40 degrees hear and you can't do anything about it.