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Living in Poland

The Republic of Poland with its parliamentary democracy is a member state of the European Union. This is the 9th biggest country in Europe and the 63rd in the world (over 312000 km2). The capital of the Republic of Poland is Warsaw. The country is inhabited mostly by Poles (ca. 38 million citizens), the official language is Polish.

In the north and west Poland the climate is predominantly maritime, with gentle, humid winters and cool, rainy summers. The average annual temperature in Poland ranges from 5-7ºC in hilly Pomerania and in uplands to 8-10ºC.

The hottest month is July with the average temperature standing at 16-19ºC. Hot days, when the temperature exceeds 25ºC, occur from May to September. The coldest month in Poland is January. The summer, with temperatures above 20ºC, begins in May and is about four months long. In autumn, the average temperature drops to between 5ºC and 15ºC. Winter length ranges from two months at the seaside and in the west to 3-4 months in the north east.

ACADEMIC YEAR

  • The University academic year is divided into two semesters.
  • First semester (winter semester) Early October – mid February
  • Second semester (summer semester) Mid February – end June

All degree programmes can be started in the first semester only.

• Degree

Polish universities follow the European two or three stage study system and European model of degrees (bachelor or engineer, master and doctor).

The students are awarded the following degrees:

  • Inżynier – relevant to BEng – from 3,5 to 4 years (1st cycle studies),
  • Licencjat – relevant to BA – 3,5 years (1st cycle studies),
  • Magister – relevant to MA or MSc – 2 years (2nd cycle studies),

There are 3 possibilities of studying:

  • full-time studies (weekdays), part-time studies (every 2 weeks on weekends) and evening studies.
  • During the last one or two semester periods all students must prepare a diploma paper or write a thesis.

The degrees are conferred after completing all obligatory courses, passing successfully all the exams (written or oral) and defending the diploma.

LOCATION OF THE STUDENT RESIDENCES:

ON CAMPUS HOUSING

• All dormitories provide:

  • single or double rooms with a bed or two beds, desk, wardrobe, bookcase and heating
  • shower and laundry facilities
  • student kitchenettes
  • recreation area with TV
  • Internet, fax and photocopying facilities

There are 4 Students’ Residences (in Polish DS Dom Studencki). They are next to each other:

  • Dom Studencki nr 1, 15 Rejtana Street
  • Dom Studencki nr 2, 13 Rejtana Street
  • Dom Studencki nr 3, 11 Rejtana Street
  • Dom Studencki nr 4, 5a-7a Rejtana Street

APPROXIMATE COSTS OF THE STUDENT RESIDENCES:

The prices depend on the room type. There are 3 types of rooms – single rooms, double rooms, and triple rooms.

  • Dom Studencki nr 1: 300,00-440,00 PLN monthly per person
  • Dom Studencki nr 2: 280,00-410,00 PLN monthly per person
  • Dom Studencki nr 3: 280,00-410,00 PLN monthly per person
  • Dom Studencki nr 4: 350,00-520,00 PLN monthly per person

There is kitchen and laundry on each floor. In each room one can find basic furniture: single bed, wardrobe, desk, bookshelf. Moreover, students will receive a quilt, a pillow and bedclothes.

OFF CAMPUS HOUSING

Koszalin has a wide range of rental accommodation. Students who live in flats share the rental costs including electricity, gas, water, telephone. Household duties such as cooking and cleaning are usually shared among all members of the flat. Price for one bed in the room ranges from 200 to 300 zł/ month. Renting a whole flat costs about 1000 – 1500 PLN, depending on the number of rooms and location.

SHOPPING – OPENING HOURS

Groceries usually open from Monday to Friday between 6 and 8 a.m. and close at 6 or 8 p.m. Bigger supermarkets are open to 10 p.m., they are open also on Sundays and public holidays.

• Postal services, phones

Post offices are open weekdays usually from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; some are also open on Saturdays. In Koszalin there is a post office directly by the railway station – open 24 hours a day. Public telephones (marked with blue) require magnetic or chip cards, there are no phone boxes where you could use coins. To make a call (even the local one) you have to dial also the area code (which for Koszalin and surroundings is 0-94). Emergency calls are free of charge and available as follows: 997 – Police, 998 – Fire brigade, 999 – Ambulance and 112 – international emergency number available from mobile phones.

• Transportation

Warsaw is Poland’s main international airport. Szczecin is the nearest to Koszalin domestic airport (120km). There are regular flights from Warsaw to Szczecin and regular shuttle tours from Szczecin airport to Koszalin. Some international and domestic flights also fly in and out of Szczecin airport.

• Buses

Koszalin has a local bus network, the buses run all day, and there are also night buses. The tickets are available at the kiosks by the bus stops or directly by the bus drivers. Students under 26 have a half fare, though they are obliged to show their student ID in case of ticket inspection.

• Trains

In Poland students under 26 have a 37 per cent discount for the train rides. One can travel by slow, fast, express or inter-city trains. Prices depend on the kind of the train and the duration of the journey. First class is always more expensive. From Koszalin there is a wide network of connections between many Polish cities (Warsaw, Cracow, Gdańsk, Poznań, Szczecin and others).

• Cars

In Poland all drivers keep to the right side of the road. If the car is brought to Poland it must be insured. The insurance cost depends on the size of the car. Petrol prices are approx. 1 EUR (unleaded or Diesel). You can also refuel LPG (liquid petrol gas), which cost approx. 0,50 EUR, but you need a special installation in your car.

While driving a vehicle the driver is obliged to have a driving licence and a civil liability insurance. The legal alcohol limit is 0,2 promille. Using a mobile phone is only permitted with a loud-speaking system.

• Taxi

When taking a taxi you should call a taxi corporation, because the prices are usually lower than on the taxi rank.

All cabs must be equipped with taximeter. At nights the scale of charges is higher.

• Average prices of necessities

  • bread (1 loaf) 2,00 PLN
  • milk (1 liter) 2,20 PLN
  • butter (250 g) 3,50 PLN
  • cheese (1 kg) 16-28 PLN
  • eggs (10 pieces) 5,00 PLN
  • fruit (1 kg) 5,00 PLN
  • potatoes (1 kg) 1,50 PLN
  • pasta (0,5 kg) 2,00 PLN
  • beer (0,5 liter) 3,00 PLN

• Other expenses:

  • Bus ticket: 2.90 PLN
  • Monthly bus ticket for students about 50 PLN/month
  • Cinema ticket about 20 PLN normal, 15 PLN for students
  • Disco entry: 10 PLN normal, free for students
  • Books and educational aids: 50-100 PLN/month

We advise you to prepare about 1000 – 1500 PLN (300-400 €) per month towards the cost of living.

More informations for International Students, you'll find in this file.

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