Wroclaw
About Wroclaw
Dubbed the Venice of Poland, WrocÅ‚aw is the capital of Lower Silesia and a little-known gem. It's famous for its photogenic Gothic architecture and 12 fascinating islands connected by over 100 bridges, on the river Oder. From the castle-like train station to the colourful façades of the vibrant old town, this is a city rich in history, with lots of museums displaying relics of the communist past. In the Market Square, you can sip a cold beer at one of the traditional bars while you take in the eclectic mix of buildings. At night, there's a bustling pub scene.
There's a varied choice of hostels in Wrocław. Lots of places are found right in the centre, so you won't have far to go to find the main attractions. You can opt for an eco-conscious spot that prides itself on using recycled materials, or stay in a renovated 19th-century townhouse that gives you a feel for the city's past. You can save on budget by choosing a Wrocław hostel with a shared kitchen, and join a free walking tour to get an insider's view. Free Wi-Fi is a common perk in Wrocław hostels.
The streets of Stare Miasto, WrocÅ‚aw's old town, are full of character and are lined with red-roofed buildings. You'll find eye-catching architecture, historic sites and churches here. The downtown neighbourhood of ÅšródmieÅ›cie has a Venetian vibe, with riverfront parks and Cathedral Island or Ostrów Tumski. If you want to immerse yourself in local life, head out to one of the suburbs, such as Psie Pole.
Not to be missed in Wrocław is Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set in manicured gardens and noted for its gravity-defying dome. At the weekend, the hall comes alive with music and light shows at its Multimedia Fountain. To get a great view of the city, head to the vantage point at the Panorama of the Battle of Racławice. Those looking for a unique experience could spend the day spotting its charming gnomes. There are over 300 to be discovered, and each has a name and story.
From WrocÅ‚aw-Copernicus Airport, you can get to the centre on the 106 bus. It runs every 20 minutes and takes around 30 minutes. WrocÅ‚aw GÅ‚ówny is the main train station, and you can get a train to Kraków (a three-hour trip) or Warsaw (about five hours). The city is compact, so you can see the main sights on foot or by bike. If you want to get around faster, take the tram or bus.
Accommodation in Gdansk
There are many different options for arranging student accommodation in Poland. They vary depending on the city and higher education institution you choose. Many Polish HEIs have their own dormitories, which are usually the cheapest option available. However, most Polish students prefer to rent a room in a private apartment.
Student houses and dormitories
The pricing of the student houses depends on the particular HEI. Usually the cost of accommodation in a dormitory ranges is around EUR 60-80 monthly for a shared room and between EUR 100-150 for a single room. However, the standard of the dormitories may differ greatly even between various student houses of the same HEI, so it’s good to do some research before the final decision. What doesn’t differ is the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the student houses.
Private housing
It is quite common in Poland to rent a room in a bigger apartment. Most of the out-of-town students share flats in this way. The cost varies between cities and it depends greatly on the location of the apartment as well as the size and quality of the room. The monthly rent is usually between EUR 150 and 200. Some landlords may require a deposit of a similar amount. Don’t worry if you don’t have friends to live with. Sharing a flat with locals is an amazing opportunity: you can pay for the accommodation and get great friends for free! And if you really don’t like to share, you can find an independent apartment. The rent for the smallest, one-room apartment starts from about EUR 300 (in Warsaw).
Visa and residence card costs
This applies only to those students who come from the countries whose nationals are obliged to get a visa before coming to Poland. If you come from the European Union, you can skip visa fee charges. For those requiring it - there is no uniform fee, but it should not exceed EUR 70. When applying for a visa, please remember about other costs which are not stated directly - you need to have health insurance of at least EUR 30,000 and be in possession of sufficient funds to cover your entry, stay and departure - which is minimum PLN 543 for each month of studies and PLN 200, 300 or 2,500 for securing a return journey for people from neighbouring countries, EU countries or non-EU countries respectively.
Even if you do not need a visa to come to Poland, bear in mind that every foreigner staying in Poland for a period longer than 3 months has to apply for a temporary residence permit, so for visa holders it is also the next step to plan in their budget. The cost of issuing a temporary residence permit for students is PLN 390 in total.
