Before arrival
Get to know our advice, what you need to remember before arrival.
If you are here, it means that you have decided to study abroad and been accepted at a Polish university.
It also means you need some tips on how to prepare for your exchange adventure. Before planning your trip, you need to set everything right.
Here are some crucial things you’ll need to take care of:
01.
Documents
02.
Travel
03.
University
04.
Other
01.
Documents
- Apply for a Visa if you need it. You can read more about it Insurance and Visa
- Take a travel document which allows you to enter Poland and is valid throughout your stay, which can be a passport or ID card if you are an EU citizen
- Extra passport photos
- Scan of personal documents in case you lose something
- Get yourself an insurance in your domestic health care system for the time you’re staying abroad.
- And other documents that you feel you might need while being in Poland
02.
Travel
- Check the routes from the airport to your place of stay
- Exchange money, it’s possible that you won’t be able to pay for a ticket or taxi in other currencies than polish zloty
- Check whether you can use your own mobile data in case there is no free wi-fi connection at your arrival place
- Take reusable bottle with filter
03.
University
Take all necessary documents that you need to bring to international office on your university and so on
If the university or student organisation have a buddy system, apply for a mentor who can help you in your first days of staying in Poland
Try to search how the student life looks like in the city where you will be living. At some universities find ESN section - the student organization that organizes different events for international students Leisure
Check the possibilities of signing up for polish lesson classes if you want to learn the language
04.
Other
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Talk to your bank about how your card is going to work abroad or set up a new account if needed. There are also accounts for exchange students offered in Polish banks, so it’s an option to consider.
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Consider your accommodation. Most universities offer dormitories at a relatively low price but if you prefer you can also rent your own room or whole apartment - see Accommodation
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Read about culture and language to minimize the culture shock
A study abroad packing list:
Clothes - and remember that the weather in Poland is very different depending on the season:
- Clothes - and remember that the weather in Poland is very different depending on the season:
- All of your standard shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, other go-to clothes
- Underwear
- Jacket for spring, summer and autumn and a very warm one for winter, maybe even a coat
- A hat and a scarf, gloves
- Comfortable shoes: sneakers, boots & flip flops to use as shower shoes
- Swimming stuff if you’re going at the summer semester or like going to the swimming pool
- Workout clothes to remind you of the need to exercise
- Cosmetics (but also you can get everything in Poland quite cheaply)
- A small backpack for one-day trips
- Electronics (remember to check if you need an adapter for plugs!)
- Camera, go pro, SD cards etc.
- Prescriptions and medications that you need
- Things that will remind you about your country and friends and family. Pictures or country flag are always good idea
- Bring a typical food or snack from your home country to share with new friends
However, remember to not bring more than you can carry! Imagine carrying everything up through multiple stairs only by yourself. If you forget something you can always go shopping.
