Life tend to be definitely cheaper than Western Europe having meanwhile the same quality and even better infrastructures, it means that I can personally afford higher life standards than at home.
1. Tell us why you have chosen Poland as your study destination?
I have been in a Erasmus Youth exchange, one week long, in Zakopane in 2015 and I was impressed by the beauty of Krakow and Poland, which were far different than my expectations. At the time I was 18 years old and I did not choose yet what and where to study. Moreover I did not like the idea of studying in Italian universities, I definitely wanted to study abroad in English in a good and affordable place.
After a fast research I find out that as EU citizen I could study for free at the Catholic University of Lublin, the same city where many people from the exchange were from. I applied and my life changed.
video made when I was studying in Lublin
2. How is your experience in Poland going so far?
My experience in Poland is going amazingly, I can say that being exposed to a new different culture everyday slightly change your personality and your way of thinking.
It is a mind blowing experience which demolishes all your certainties about people and life, it forces you to re-discuss all your believes. Starting from learning the language which has a total different structure and grammar from your native one. Also in Poland, due to the fast growing economy I have already collected many work experiences that could not have been possible in Italy.
3. What you like the most about studying in Poland?
There are far more foreign students than normally people think from ALL around the world.
I like that it is full of organizations dedicated to our entertainment and to social events. This leads to create a well-connected international community where many people know each other and enhance a friendly open environment. Many English speaking Poles are also joining, they tend to be curious about foreigners and they are usually helpful when language or bureaucratic problems appear.
Life tend to be definitely cheaper than Western Europe having meanwhile the same quality and even better infrastructures, it means that I can personally afford higher life standards than at home.
4. What would you tell students in your home country to encourage them to come to Poland?
I would show them the level of development reached by Poland, trying to breakdown any form of prejudice toward the country. I also understand that studying abroad is not for everybody but for really determined people which are ready to accept challenges and going out from the comfort zone.
Deciding to study abroad for a full time degree, especially in Poland, is definitely a good step if you want to internationalize your CV and your future career. From my personal point of view is a one life-changing step which is going to revolute your life and push you toward the entire world vastness.
It differs a lot from short exchanges and experiences abroad, where you have limited time to gain your international experience, already knowing that you will come back at home at the end of the semester or of the year. In a full-time degree program you create your second home somewhere else and you mind will automatically change to be foreign/opportunity oriented rather than home oriented.
5. Could you tell us your story?
I am Giuseppe, an Italian student,22 years old. I earned a Bachelor Degree in European Studies at the Catholic University of Lublin, I am right now in master degree program of International Relations at the University of Warsaw.
In my free time I travel with the Erasmus+ youth exchanges program and I take part in model united nations around the world. I live in Poland since 2016, I speak fluently English and Polish and in 2020 I became a Polish digital ambassador for NAWA, willing to promote Poland and its opportunities abroad among younger students.