Study programme at WUR: Management and Consumer studies
Study period exchange: 01/10/2018 until 11/02/2019
Country (exchange): Poland
City (exchange): Warsaw
University (exchange): Collegium Civitas
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
The reason to choose to participate in the Erasmus exchange was mainly to gain new, international friends, learn more about foreign language, practice my English and step out of my comfort zone.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
This university offered some interesting courses
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
Book you flight from Eindhoven to Warsaw.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
For some courses, there was an syllabus available on the online platform. In this syllabus, the workload and targets were described. This description did however not always match the actual course. Materials for the courses were provided through this online platform, through e-mail, or through handouts. Examination came in the from of exams, essays and oral exams
What is the culture of the university?
All teachers were friendly and approachable. If you wanted you could have engaged with the local students (at least, the ones also following the English program), but most people doing Erasmus did not need to per se since there were so much students from different nationalities. Most Polish people did not really mix in this group. Collegium Civitas is very small compared to the WUR, which created in my opinion a somewhat intimate atmosphere.
5.Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
Collegium Civitas offered places in some kind of dorm (i don’t think this is actually owned by them) and they referred students to third parties, such as pepehousing, which offers students the possibility to find accommodation from abroad without risking neing scammed.
What is the culture of the country like?
Polish culture is in a lot of ways not so different from Dutch culture, the only thing which was really obvious is that there are hardly any immigrants in Warsaw even though it is the capital.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
As all thing in Poland, accommodation in Warsaw is somewhat cheaper than in Wageningen. I would say 2/3 of the price I pay in Wageningen.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Public transport is well arranged. As a student (when you have a student card) you are eligible to buy a personal public transport subscription for three months for only 150 pln (roughly 35 euro)
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
I would recommend to visit Krakow and Gdansk.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
I chose to spend my new years eve in Warsaw and in the end only Italian friends of mine decided to stay for new years as well. So, i ended up spending new years with only Italian people. It is kind of hard to be the only person not speaking a language amidst a group of people who do and who are inclined to speak in this language making it very hard for you to participate in conversation.
What was your best memory abroad?
All the time i spent with some amazing friends from all around the world.