EN: University of Warsaw: "My stay at the University of Warsaw was an entirely new experience."

The link to the full experience report.

Preparation

My motivation to study at the University of Warsaw has been significantly influenced by the rising status of Poland in the European Union and the country’s rising influence in European policy-making. As an International Business Administration student, I had a particular interest in learning about the views of a country from the Central and Eastern European region with regard to international business and economic development.
The preparation process of my semester abroad was well-structured. The application process of the University of Warsaw is well-structured. The support from both the home and the host university has been good. Before the beginning of the semester, there were introduction events held for international students. This provided essential information about regulations, infrastructure, and living in Warsaw. This helped me settle in and get to know other international students. There is a buddy system available as well to help international students settle in during the first weeks of the semester.

Accommodation

I found my accommodation through the private housing market in Warsaw. During my search, I found that the prices of a studio flat in Warsaw are relatively high compared to other cities in the Central and Eastern European region. The prices are comparable to those in Berlin. I found my accommodation through an online platform called PepeHouse. The platform is user-friendly compared to other platforms in Germany. The accommodation search and application process were easy. The information provided through the platform is good, and communication is efficient. This allowed me to sign a contract relatively quickly.
Having to manage my own accommodation also helped me to be more independent and to understand different administrative procedures. I would definitely recommend that any Erasmus student looking to come to this host university starts looking for accommodation as soon as possible and does their research on different accommodation options.

Studying at the University Abroad

Throughout my Erasmus semester, I had to take a wide and intellectually challenging range of courses, amounting to a total of 31 ECTS, divided among 10 different courses. The courses I had to take ranged from different topics within international business, management, and economics, and I had to expand my academic knowledge substantially.
Some of the most interesting and relevant courses I had to take included Advanced Strategic Management, Algorithms in Digital Economy, Digital Transformation and Business Models, and Doing Business in Europe, which helped me to expand my knowledge on different topics such as strategic business decisions, digitalization, and the business environment in Europe. Other courses, such as International Logistics, Leading Effectively, and Organizational Behaviour, helped me to expand my knowledge on different business operations, leadership, and teamwork within an international environment.
Other courses, such as Intercultural Communication in Business, Personal Investments Practically, and Regulating (FinTech) Markets, helped me to expand my knowledge on different topics such as international cooperation, personal investments, and different market regulations. Overall, active attendance and engagement were expected, and different forms of exams, presentations, and group projects were used to evaluate student performance. The level of academic difficulty was substantial, but overall, I found that I had good support from the University of Warsaw.

Day-to-Day Life and Free Time

The cost of living in Warsaw was moderate compared to other European capitals. It was possible to have a reasonable budget for a month to cater to all expenses such as rent, food, transportation, and other recreational activities. The cost of transportation in Warsaw is low because the system is efficient. In addition, students enjoy discounted rates for transportation services.
During my leisure time, I had the opportunity to travel to different parts of Poland. Visiting cities like Krakow and Zakopane was an enriching experience. I was fascinated by the historical background of Krakow, its cultural heritage, and the beauty of its old town. The natural scenery of Zakopane was breathtaking, with its proximity to the Tatra Mountains. These experiences helped me to develop an appreciation of Poland’s cultural and natural richness.
I also had an opportunity to associate with other local and international students.

Conclusion

My stay at the University of Warsaw was an entirely new experience. The new academic environment, new culture, and new way of life were challenging at the beginning. However, I soon found new people with whom I associated, and these new relationships became an important motivational factor.
From an academic point of view, completing 10 courses was an opportunity to enrich my knowledge considerably. The variety of courses was intellectually challenging and helped me to make significant progress in my academic career. The fact that I was in Warsaw, which is the capital of Poland, gave me an opportunity to be in contact with diverse events, seminars, and courses that took place there. I used the opportunity to ask people attending these events about their opinions regarding the Polish job market, the Polish economy, and the history of Poland. I learned much more than I would have learned by reading online.
I would like to say that the Erasmus program was very motivating and enriching. I feel that I made the most out of my stay in Poland and that I used each day of my stay to the fullest. I would be happy to take part in another Erasmus program if I had an opportunity to do so because I have learned much more about the value of international learning and personal enrichment than I have learned during my stay in Poland.