POLAND

Poland is a member of the European Union.

It joined the Schengen Area in 2007. As a result, passport checks are abolished on Poland’s borders to Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Lithuania. It practically means that persons admitted to the Schengen Area can travel hassle-free between 24 countries of the Schengen Area without internal land and sea border controls, from Portugal to Poland and from Greece to Finland.

Thanks to its location, Poland occupies a special place in the European Union. Poland’s border on the river Bug became the EU’s eastern border. In the wider geographical and geopolitical sense Poland occupies a central position. More and more foreign investment from Western Europe is to be shifted to Poland, as well as from the US and Asia. Poland’s geographic location facilitates the logistics activities and forecasts indicate an increase in the number of immigrants to the country.

Polish institutions of higher education participate in international student exchange programmes and engage in bilateral agreements and individual exchange programmes pursued by particular schools. All these initiatives enhance the development of relations between Polish and foreign institutions of higher education. The number of Polish institutions of higher education awarded an Erasmus University Charter approach 200 and the mobility of Polish students grows rapidly.

Poland’s education market has been the most dynamically developing one in Europe during the last twelve years. The number of higher education institutions has increased fivefold while the number of students quadrupled. Each year almost half a million young people begin their education at universities and colleges.

Polish academic traditions reach back to 14th century some of the Europe’s oldest universities can be found here. The Jagiellonian University of Cracow was established in 1364. Nicholas Copernicus and Marie Skłodowska-Curie are among great names of Polish scientists known and admired worldwide.

Today’s Polish universities continue the glorious traditions of their predecessors. Warsaw University is ranked first in the Top Coder international IT ranking, it outperformed such great institutions as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A representative of Poland also leads the Top Coder individual ranking.

Polish universities offer high quality studies and are an integral part of the European education space. All leading universities offer programmes thought in English, these include medicine, engineering, humanities, business and finance. Poland takes active part in the Bologna Process. Thanks to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) students can be fully mobile, and continue education in other countries.

Low Cost of Studying and living

Although Poland is going through a process of rapid economic development, the cost of living is still significantly lower than in most of the EU countries. A total amount of 200-400 Euros is enough to cover the basic cost of accommodation, food and transport. The cost of entertainment and participation in cultural events are also much lower than EU average. The basic cost of studies is also very competitive. The minimum rate is 2000 Euro a year, which is a few times lower than the EU average. For rapid economic development Since 20 years Polish economy has significantly been growing. According to Central Statistical Office’s data, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008 was in real terms 4.8 per cent higher than in 2007. In 2007 GDP recorded 6.7 per cent growth. The rate of the value added growth for whole economy in 2008 was 4.9 per cent (6.6% in 2007). According to the latest European Commission’s forecast, in 2010 the GDP growth may dip to 2.0 per cent. Taking into account, however, international crisis and -1.8 per cent GDP growth forecast for the EU-25, Poland’s result is a symptom of Polish strong economy. The unemployment level decreases very quickly, falling from almost 20% in 2004 to 9,5 % in 2009.

For high level of security and personal safety

Poland is much safer than most of the European countries. Even the Nordic countries, considered as very safe, have much higher crime rate than Poland. It’s perfectly safe in here for international students of all races, beliefs and origins.

Great Culture and Entertainment

Polish culture is well known in the world, for both historical heritage and present achievements. Five Polish writers were rewarded with Nobel Prize. Historical composers like Karol Szymanowski, Fryderyk Chopin and Ignacy Paderewski, and present ones like HenrykGórecki, WitoldLutosławski or Krzysztof Penderecki wrote new chapters in the history of music. Academy Award winners Andrzej Wajda, JanuszKamiński, Roman Polański, Golden Palm winner Krzysztof Kieślowski and many other film industry artists are recognized all over the world. Polish cultural institutions provide high quality entertainment for all tastes. The number of festivals, book fairs, concerts, gigs, and other kinds of entertainment is massive. For sports fans in 2012 Poland hosted the UEFA European Football Championships. One of the most important sports events in the world that attracted thousands of fans from all Europe.

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