Poland - Politechnika Opolska

• official name – Republic of Poland
• official Language: Polish
• population – 38 million, 8th place in the most populated countries in Europe
• total area – 312 685 square kilometers, 9th largest country in Europe
• capital city – Warszawa (Warsaw)
• currency – Złoty (PLN)
• time zone – Central European time zone
• calling code – + 48
• internet domain – .pl

Poland is a fascinating country that serves as the geographical and cultural crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. The country is located in Central Europe bounded to the north by the Baltic Sea and two mountain ranges in the south, the Sudetes and the Carpathians. Poland shares its borders with Germany on the west, Czech Republic and Slovakia on the south, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania on the east, and Russia (the Kaliningrad exclave) on the north.

Poland is placed in a moderate zone with mixed continental and oceanic climate influences. The weather in the country is characterised by transitional periods between the four seasons of the year which makes it  sometimes unpredictable and varied.

Spring is often changeable. There are rather moderate temperatures. The summertime can be really hot, autumn is usually sunny, but November is frequently very wet and can be cold. Winters are usually cold, with the chance of rain and snow. In the mountains snow usually covers slopes from November till March/April.

The average summer temperature ranges from 20 °C (68 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F). Winters are cold – the average ranges from 3 °C (37,4 °F) in the northwest to –8 °C (17,6 °F) in the northeast.

Poland is an unitary state. The territorial administrative structure of Poland is based on three levels of self-government. Poland is divided into:

• I level – Voivodeships (similar to provinces),
• II level – Powiats (similar to counties or districts),
• III level – Gminas (similar to communes or municipalities)

Major cities have Powiat status. Currently the country is divided into 16 Voivodeships.

Poland is a parliamentary republic. Prime Minister and Council of Ministers led by him are the leading institutions. The President is a head of state and is elected every five years in a popular election. The Parliament is bicameral and consists of a 460-member Sejm (the lower house) and a 100-member Senat. The elections take place every four years.

Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), the Schengen Area, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural  Organisation (UNESCO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Organisation for Cooperation and Development (OECD) and many others.

Travelling in Poland is very easy. International flights are operated by airports in Warsaw, Gdansk, Katowice, Lodz, Poznan, Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Wroclaw, Krakow, Rzeszow and Lublin. The main airport in Poland is Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Airport. You can take a bus to cities and to most smaller towns that have no rail connections. There is also minibus service offered by scores of carriers. PKP Intercity and Przewozy Regionalne operate railway long-haul connections, while regional carriers take passengers for shorter distances. The fastest train is Pendolino (designated for longer distance).

Poland is a country where cost of living is lower than in other countries but one should remember that average costs are different in each city. Living in Poland as a student is relatively affordable and can start from 2000 PLN (450 EUR) a month.

Sample average expenses per month:

• Rent (student dormitory) 500 – 700 PLN
• Public transportation 50 – 60 PLN
• Health insurance 40 – 60 PLN
• Phone, internet, and TV subscription bills 80 – 100 PLN
• Groceries 700 – 900 PLN
• Entertainment 150 – 200 PLN

Shopping centres are available in every bigger town in Poland. Usually, they are open 7 days a week, often from 8.00 to 21.00, although, there are also shops open 24/7. Local shops where you can buy food and fresh products are mostly open from Monday to Friday usually from 7.00 or 8.00 to 18.00 and on Saturday to 14.00. Shops are closed on Sundays.

In the case of an emergency, injury, sudden disease or health deterioration, patients should either call an ambulance or go directly to a hospital. During a stay in Poland, free medical services are offered to citizens of the EU and four EFTA states. Apart from healthcare paid for by the National Health Fund, Poland has well-developed private health services. Cost of visit ranges depending on the kind of advice you seek, and the region you live in.

 It’s mandatory for international students to have a health insurance in Poland. EU/EEA citizens are allowed to exercise their healthcare rights on a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) basis. Citizens of other countries must buy the commercial insurance policy covering the healthcare costs in their countries, or pay for a voluntary policy in Polish National Healthcare Fund. To get a policy it’s necessary to present the university certificate of enrollment, student ID card, the temporary residence certificate and passport with valid visa or residence permit.

The crime rate in Poland is much lower than in EU countries, and significantly lower than in the USA. This applies to most kinds of crime, including murders, car theft, rapes and robberies. The safety level is high. Although, common sense behavior is necessary. One should avoid walking at night in most dangerous locations, keep an eye on personal belongings, remember about locking the apartments, and do not leave opened cars, or unprotected bicycles on the streets. There is no high risk of terrorism.

Poland has a history of religious tolerance. The Roman Catholic Church is the dominant religious institution in Poland. The hate crimes on religious basis are very rare. Orthodox, Greek Catholic and protestant churches are present in almost all big cities, as well as Muslim prayer centers. Jewish Kehillas are available in ten cities. Many other religious societies are active, and their institutions are available.

In Polish cities it’s easy for a student to find a part-time job. The wages increase systematically, so many Polish students choose paid studies and start working. Although the permission to work in Poland depends on your country of origin. International students are not allowed to work on a student visa basis only.

In Poland, persons aged 18 or above can buy cigarettes and alcohol regardless of its percentage content. It is not allowed to consume alcohol outside designated premises (bars, restaurants and beer gardens). Smoking in public places such  (including bus stops) is forbidden. It is permitted to smoke only in designated smoking areas in restaurants. Entrance to night clubs is allowed to people over 18 years of age although there are also clubs where you have to be over 21.