Study Abroad in Poland...

Poland is a fascinating country that serves as the geographical and cultural crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. Located at the center of the Northern European plain, Poland has been a nation of survivors since the foundation of the first Polish state more than 1,000 years ago. Through its turbulent history its people have managed to maintain their identity, and today, the country enjoys a crucial position as the largest of the former Eastern European states and the most populous new member of the European Union.

Students who decide to study abroad in Poland can do so at one of more than 100 institutions of higher education. These include universities, technical universities, higher schools of engineering, agricultural academies, academies of economics and numerous other higher vocational colleges and teacher training colleges.

Institutes of higher education in Poland emphasize the application of scientific knowledge for future professional needs. Strong focus is placed on fundamental and applied research, as well as on creative and artistic work. English is widely spoken at Polish universities, and Poles routinely learn English as a second language.

The capital city of Warsaw, with a population of nearly 2 million, is the principal center of higher education in the country, with a booming economy and large workforce. From the restored beauty of traditional monuments to functionalist postwar concrete structures to the ultra-modern glass and steel creations built since the end of Communism, Warsaw's architecture speaks to its turbulent history and aspirations for the future. Warsaw was also the site of many historical events including the signing by the Warsaw Pact, the Warsaw Convention and the Treaty of Warsaw.

Warsaw University of Technology is a prime destination for students interested in studying the nation's architecture. Warsaw's historic Old Town, established in the 13th century, includes the Royal Castle and St. John's Cathedral. Students of modern architecture may appreciate the socialist-era Palace of Culture and Science, which is one of Europe's tallest structures.

Poland boasts 9,300 lakes, the most famous of which are the Great Masurian Lakes, found in a northern region of the country that lies 15 percent under water. Students interested in ecology and environmental science can study the lake ecosystems at the University of Warsaw. That school also offers Polish language study and culture study.

Also of interest to students of ecology and the environment is the Bialowieza National Park, the largest surviving remnant of the ancient forests that once covered all of Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features a Biosphere Reserve, as well as 120 bird species. Students can spot and study elk, wild boars, European bison and wolves.

Poland's second and third-largest cities, Lódz and Kraków, are also strong academic centers. Lódz, a former textile manufacturing town, is experiencing a revival today. In addition to having six state-run and 17 private universities and academies, Lódz has become a cultural center hosting many festivals including the Camerimage International Film Festival. In Kraków, students can visit the medieval cathedrals, historic Kraków Old Town and the Renaissance castle. Kraków was once the capital of Poland, and students can study a variety of subjects at the prestigious Jagiellonian University of Kraków.

The Jagiellonian University provides an excellent place to study history. Students who study in Poland will find the history of the country captivating, given its saga of political upheaval. Kraków is the former home of kings, scholars and the historic trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, a famous monument of Poland's Renaissance and the center of the city's commerce for seven centuries. The commemoration park at the nearby Auschwitz site offers a sobering reminder of a tragic chapter in Polish history, while the city's historic Kazimierz Jewish District is increasingly a center for artists and café culture.

Poland boasts a long scientific tradition, as it was the home of famed scientist Marie Curie and astronomer Nicolas Copernicus. The Nicolas Copernicus University in Torun offers courses in numerous scientific disciplines. Students of economics will find strong programs at Nicolas Copernicus University as well.

Those who would rather study art will find a broad range of opportunities at the Poland Academy of Fine Arts. Located in Poznan, the academy provides programs in applied arts, art history, drawing and graphic arts/design. Also of interest to art students is Kraków's Czartoryski Museum, which holds a large collection of European art, including noted works by da Vinci and Rembrandt.

Warsaw reflects the strong Polish theatrical and musical traditions, with more than a dozen theaters and three opera companies. Cinemas in Poland show both Polish and foreign films. Students may seek further entertainment at Poland's discos or at a growing number of nightclubs and music bars in Warsaw and Kraków.

Students can also spend their spare time skiing and hiking the Tatra Mountains, which form the highest range between the Alps and Caucasus Mountains. Beach lovers can visit the shores of the Baltic Sea. Poland's cities offer ample opportunities for students to get out and practice their language skills with the locals. Students who study abroad in Poland will discover a fascinating land of friendly, industrious people who typically welcome visitors to their country.

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ONLINE RESOURCES
IIEPassport: http://www.iiepassport.org
Higher Education: http://www.buwiwm.edu.pl
Ministry of Science and Higher Education: http://www.eng.nauka.gov.pl
National Tourist Office: http://www.polandtour.org
Tourism: http://www.explore-poland.pl/
Catholic University of Lublin: http://www.kul.lublin.pl/uk/
University of Lódz: http://www.uni.lodz.pl/ang/portal/
Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan: http://www.guide.amu.edu.pl/amu/index.htm

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