Information for incoming students
Visa and residence permitEU/EEA and USA citizens can stay in Poland for up to 3 months without a visa (British citizens up to 6 months). Non EU/EEA citizens need to obtain a visa from the Polish embassy or consulate in their home country (the list of Polish embassies and consulates is available at Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.msz.gov.pl). The visa is valid for 3 months and it has to be used within 6 months from its issue date. The following documents are necessary in order to apply for a Polish visa:
• visa application form;
• one current passport-size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm);
• official statement from Polish higher education institution/university accepting the
• applicant as student and stating the study period completion date;
• official statement declaring income or other financial means to cover the living costs in Poland;
• passport and its photocopy.
• certificate confirming accommodation registration
The documents can be either in Polish or in English. Visa is usually issued within a fortnight.
Non EU/EEA citizens intending to study (stay) in Poland longer than 90 days are obliged to submit additional documents necessary to prolong their visit. They can apply for one of the following:
1. Renewal visa (the application must be submitted at least 14 days before the first visa expiry date, the new visa will be valid form the day the application is looked into, rather than the expiry date of old one). The following documents are necessary:
• visa application form (in Polish, instructions and guidelines available also in other languages);
• one current passport-size photograph (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm);
• official statement certifying temporary residence registration;
• official statement from Polish higher education institution/university confirming the applicant’s status of its student and stating the study period completion date;
• official statement declaring income or other financial means to cover the living costs in Poland;
• passport and its photocopy.
The visa allow to stay in Poland for maximum 6 months (within a year counting from the day of the first entry).
2. Temporary residence permit and temporary residence card (the application must be submitted minimum 45 days before the visa expires). The following documents are required:
• two residence permit application forms (in Polish, instructions and tips available also in other languages) and 1 copy of this application form;
• four colour passport-size photographs (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm);
• official statement declaring income or other financial means to cover the living costs in Poland;
• official statement from Polish higher education institution/university confirming the applicant’s status of its student and stating the study period completion date;
• official statement certifying temporary residence registration;
• passport and its photocopy;
• stamp charge or consular fee receipt.
Foreigners applying for the temporary residence permit may be asked to submit other documents (e.g. duplicate of birth certificate, certificate of no criminal record, issued by appropriate organs in the home country). All enclosures and documents issued by foreign state authorities or institutions have to be translated by a Polish sworn translator. Should the documents be translated abroad, their conformability with the original has to be certified by Polish embassies or consulates.
UE/EEA citizens intending to study (stay) in Poland longer than 3 months will need UE/EEA temporary residence card. It is valid for one year and includes a work permit. The following documents are necessary:
• residence permit application form (in Polish, instructions and guidelines available also in other languages);
• two colour passport-size photographs (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm);
• official statement declaring income or other financial means to cover the living costs in Poland;
• official statement from Polish higher education institution/university confirming the applicant’s status of its student and stating the study period completion date;
• copy of travel document (passport or other ID document);
• health insurance certificate (E-128 form).
Visa, temporary residence permit, and temporary residence card application forms are to be submitted in person at the Citizens’ and Migration Matters Department of Wielkopolski Voivodship Office, Konin Division (Oddział Spraw Obywatelskich i Migracji Wielkopolskiego Urzędu Wojewódzkiego Delegatura w Koninie) at Al. 1 Maja 7 in Konin, room 170, tel.: (48 63) 243 01 93.
Arrival in KoninKonin is an important transportation junction joining the north with the south, and the east with the west of Poland. The east-west A2 highway, a part of the international Berlin-Moscow route, runs through Konin. Road 25, which joins Bydgoszcz (in the north of the country) with Kalisz (in the south), also runs through Konin.
By plane
The nearest airports, which have connections with most capital and major European cities, are in Poznań, Łódź and Warsaw. From there, Konin can be reached by bus or by train.
Information:
• PLL LOT: www.lot.com
• Easy jet: www.easyjet.pl
• Star Alliance: www.staralliance.com
By coach
There is an international coach terminal in Konin. The connections with cities in France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain are offered.
Information:
• Polish Car Transport Company: www.rozkladpks.pl
By train
Konin is on the railway line Berlin – Warsaw – Moscow.
Information:
• Polish State Railways: www.pkp.pl
By car
reigners intending to drive a car in Poland may use their national driving licence or an international one (International Driving Licence) for 6 months since the day of crossing the border. After this time they are obliged to pass a driving exam in Poland.
All drivers have to have a third party liability insurance and an accident insurance. Additionally, non EU/EEA citizens are obliged to have a car insurance, the so-called “Green card”.
In Poland there is right-hand traffic. Seat belts have to be used in both front and back seats. Using a mobile phone while driving is banned, unless the car is equipped with a loud-speaking system (hands free kit).
Speed limits in Poland:
– in town: 5 a.m-11 p.m.: 50 km/h; 11 p.m.-5 a.m.: 60 km/h,
– open road: 90 km/h,
– single carriageway: 110 km/h,
– dual carriageway: 120 km/h,
– express road: 110 km/h,
– highway: 130 km/h,
– trucks: 70 km/h (on motorway 80 km/h).
Drivers have to use day lights during all year.
Location of the SchoolThe PWSZ in Konin covers an area of 18,300 square metres, it is located in three places: one building at 1 Przyjaźni Street, a complex of buildings at Wyszyńskiego Street, opposite the building in Przyjazni Street, and a complex of buildings at 4 Ks. Jerzego Popiełuszki Street. It has 68 classrooms and lecture halls, computer laboratories, and assembly halls.
In Przyjaźni Street the following are located: the President’s, the Vice President’s, the Director’s of Administration offices, Teaching and Students’ Affairs Office, Enrolment Office, the Economics, Modern Languages, and Political Sciences departments, the Foreign Languages Centre, and the Physical Education and Sports Centre, Multimedia Self-Study Room (Mediateka), and the gym.
In Wyszyńskiego Street are located the Department of Technology and Social Work, the Library, and Student’s Dormitory No. 2. In Popiełuszki Street there are: Physical Culture and School Education departments, reading room, Student’s Dormitory No. 1, and sports stadium and fields.
In Turek (city situated 30 km far from Konin) is located Faculty of Environmental Engineering.
Cost of livingStudents are obliged to have sufficient financial means to cover education and accommodation costs. Food, public transport, entrance fees, and accommodation are cheaper in Poland than in other EU/ EEA countries. Approximate monthly living costs for a student in Konin:
• accommodation: 160-300 zł,
• food: 150 zł,
• books / newspapers and magazines: 150 zł,
• clothes: 150-200 zł,
• phone calls/ post: 100 zł,
• local public transport: 50 zł,
• insurance / medical care / hygiene: 100 zł,
• other: 100-200 zł.
AccommodationPWSZ in Konin has two Student’s Dormitories.
Student’s Dormitory No. 1 is located at Ks. Jerzego Popiełuszki Street 4 in a park and recreation complex. It can accommodate 160 people in 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-person rooms. On each floor there is a sufficiently-equipped kitchen and bathrooms, rooms are rented for one academic year. The fee depends on the standard from 190 zł to 240 zł. Student’s Dormitory No.2 is located at Wyszyńskiego Street 3 and the fee is 200-300 zł per month (higher standard)
PWSZ in Konin can offer foreign students either a room at Student’s Dormitory or assistance in finding other accommodation.
MealsSchool Canteen, situated next to Student’s Dormitory, offers tasty and cheap lunches for 350 people a day. Students can either buy a monthly subscription, which is cheaper than daily payments for a month or pay for meals daily (one meal costs 7 zł). Snacks and drinks, as well as small meals, are available at Żak-Smak cafeteria.
InsuranceStudents buy an accident insurance that may occur while working, learning, or in private life - 24 hours a day. UE and EEA students must enter Poland with European Health Insurance Card. If they need medical help they must go to the surgeries which have an agreement with NFZ (National Health Fund). Non EU/EEA students have to buy complete health insurance in their home country (accident, treatment, third party liability) or they can get ISIC card or EURO<26 card, in which an insurance is included. According to state health regulations, non EU/EEA citizens have to pay for medical care. The cost is to be reimbursed by their health insurance company. Students can also use the well-developed private medical sector.
Medical facilitiesIn case of illness, Polish students consult their first-contact doctors. Foreign students consult doctors in “MED-ALKO” Sp. z o. o., which cooperates with the School. The surgery is located at 3 Przyjaźni Street, next to the Institution building.
No vaccinations are necessary when entering Poland. Polish pharmacies have a wide choice of medicaments of all kinds. Prescriptions from home country will help make sure that the right medicine is bought. Every day several pharmacist’s in Konin are open 24 hours a day (information about pharmacists on duty is published in local newspapers). Facilities for special needs students. The School’s buildings are adapted for people with minor handicaps.
Students’ affairs officesTeaching and Students’ Affairs Office is responsible for documenting the process of daily and non-daily study (student’s books, examination cards, etc.), and for financial support for students (including scholarships). It also issues diplomas, diploma supplements, certificates, duplicates of documents, publishes instructions for filling in student’s books, publishes lists of semester exams, deadlines for professional training pass, attends to various committees (grants, social, scholarship, accident, exam, diploma committees), and monitors the departments’ student records filing.
The office is located at 1 Przyjaźni Street, room 6 (ground floor)
tel.: (48 63) 249 72 30
email: dziekanat@konin.edu.pl
Opening hours for students: Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-15 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All matters concerning postgraduate studies are dealt with by the Other Education Forms Section, located at Przyjaźni Street 1, room 8 (ground floor), tel. +48 63 249 72 34
In the School there is a so-called “multimedia kiosk” with a touch-on liquid crystal monitor and access to the PWSZ in Konin Intranet. Students use it to register for courses, to express their opinions on the discussion forum, to fill in questionnaires, and to monitor the results they achieve in learning.
Student and Graduate Professional Promotion OfficeStudent and Graduate Professional Promotion Office has been operating since 2002. It organises trainings for students and graduates in order to better prepare them for entering the job market. It helps them to arrange trips abroad – either to gain additional qualifications, improve foreign language proficiency, or earn money. It cooperates with Employment Office in Konin - Youth Department, and helps students and graduates find jobs. Besides, the Office informs about courses, trainings, and new legal regulations concerning job market, which are organised at Polish Network Of Career Offices (Ogólnopolska Sieć Biur Karier), regional employment offices, Voivodship Employment Office in Poznań (Wojewódzki Urząd Pracy w Poznaniu), Education and Work Centre for the Young in Konin (Centrum Edukacji i Pracy Młodzieży w Koninie), and school career centres.
LibraryThe main PWSZ library is located at Wyszyńskiego Street 3. It includes library, reading room, and computer lab. Students can also use the reading room located at Popieluszki Street 1 and Mediaroom at Przyjazni Street 1. PWSZ in Konin Library has got 60.000 books of all types, however, economy and social sciences have the most numerous representation. 15.000 books in English, French and German. Apart from specialised titles, fiction and poetry are also available. The book collection is continuously expanded. Students have access to CD and CD-ROM materials, video and audio cassettes, newspapers and magazines (120 titles in Polish and other languages).
The Institution students and employees can borrow books, reading room and Multimedia Self-Study Room are available to everyone.
Computers and the InternetStudents take obligatory classes of Information and Communication Technology. They can use computers with the Internet access outside classes within specified hours. There is also an Internet café on the School’s premises.
Polish Language coursesPolish is a member of the West Slavic group of the Slavic sub-family of the Indo-European family of languages. In pronunciation the stress is normally placed on the penultimate syllable of a word. A distinctive feature is the preservation in spoken Polish of the nasal vowels which are no longer found in the other modern Slavic tongues. Nouns, pronouns, and adjectives have seven cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, vocative, instrumental, and locative). The verb is inflected to indicate gender as well as person and number, and can do so without the use of the personal pronoun. There are three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter) and two numbers (singular and plural). Polish grammar and punctuation have plenty of rules and twice as many exceptions to them.
So far PWSZ in Konin has not run courses of Polish for foreign students.
Sports facilitiesStudents are obliged to participate in physical education classes. The Physical Education and Sports Centre offers the following to choose from: aerobics, basketball, corrective gymnastics, dancing, fitness gym, physical education with teaching methodology, self-defence, swimming, tennis, volleyball. Physical education classes are conducted in seven places: three of them are a part of the School’s premises, four belong to the Konin Town Sports and Recreation Centre (i.e. the swimming pool, two sports halls, a self-defence sports hall). The School has a stadium and sports fields complex.
Free time and leisure activitiesThe Institution enables its students not only to gain knowledge but also to expand their interests and skills, to keep fit, and to contribute to the School’s development and growth.
Students can also improve their sports skills in the sections of: basketball, Shotokan karate, sports aerobics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, volleyball.
The “CAMERATA” choir draws all enthusiasts of singing. The choir has been successful in numerous competitions, festivals, and galas. In 1999 “CAMERATA” performed for the Pope John Paul II during his visit in Saint Mary’s Sanctuary in Licheń Stary. They sang for the The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy, annual charity event), performed during the International Children Song and Dance Festival in Konin, and in radio and TV programmes.
Moreover, students can become members or fans of instrumental band “LĄD”, vocal septet “METRUM”, cabaret “OD RĘKI”.
Also student research clubs and associations offer various ways of spending leisure time.
Student associationsMajor student clubs and associations:
Student Self-Government represents students in front of the School authorities.
It has representatives in the Senate and the departments’ boards and school committees (e.g. grant committee). The self-government’s representatives initiate and co-organise school events (e.g. Student’s Day, Open Door Day, Student Initiation Day, thematic workshops). Members of Social Research Division, a part of the self-government, under teaching staff supervision, do research with which various institutions and organisations entrust them.
Members of The Academic Sports Association successfully take part in sports competitions in numerous disciplines (e.g. cycling, football, Shotokan karate, track athletics, swimming, volleyball). In the 21. Schools of Higher Education National Championships (2000-2002), PWSZ in Konin was the winner in the category of state professional schools of higher professional education institutions and teacher training colleges. On 16-20/05/05 in Gorzów Wielkopolski PWSZ in Konin won the 13th Polish Football Championships of Pedagogical Schools of Higher Education.
“Students in Free Enterprise” Institutional Unit enables (mainly economics) students to gain experience in carrying out projects whose aim is to popularise economic awareness in local communities, to help understand market economy and recognise local communities’ needs. In 2001, in national SIFE finals, PWSZ in Konin students won the “Debut of the Year” award. In 2002 they won an award for the best integration project. In 2003, by the Polish Economics Association, they were awarded for the best project popularising the knowledge of the European Union.Also in 2003 they received a prize for their project ‘We, Poles, are in and for Europe.” In 2005 during the 7th ‘Students for Free Enterprise Polish Competition’ Konin SIFE section received a prize for „The project which best represents its authors’ entrepreneurial spirit.” In 2006 PWSZ team won the 2nd place in the 8th National SIFE Competition, which gave them an opportunity to represent Poland in the SIFE European Symposium in Paris.
Members of The Academic Section of Polish Red Cross Blood Donors popularises the principles of Polish Red Cross. They have participated in a national campaign “Layette for a Student” and co-organised “Let’s Help One Another” charity concert. Most importantly, they have initiated blood donation campaign on the School’s premises.
The Academic Section of Polish Tourist Association popularises tourism and hiking in the School’s community. Its members arrange tourist and recreation events (e.g. rallies, walking tours, coach excursions, skiing trips, canoeing rallies, paintball wars, “Tyrol rally”). They also participate in tourist fairs and exhibitions.
The Academic Section of Children Friends’ Association aims at looking after children and helping them. Its members have organised “Holidays with PWSZ in Konin” for the economically disadvantaged children, and St. Nicolas’ Day party for children from integration classes.
Members of the Student Research Association “PEGAZ”, mainly students at Department of Social Work, have carried out comparative analysis of legal and social condition of people in need in Poland and EU countries (Lanzendorf, Austria, and Ślesin, Poland were analysed). They surveyed public personae on ways of supporting the disabled, and asked the disabled how they think their life standards has been improved.
Members of The Academic Linguistic Section of Modern Languages deal with linguistic problems they have experienced or observed.
Members of Young Educators Association, mainly students at Department of School Education, develop and share their passion for teaching.
Practical information for incoming students
Climate
Poland has a moderate climate with both maritime and continental influences. This is caused by humid Atlantic air which collides over its territory with dry air from the Eurasian interior. Generally, in northern and western Poland the climate is predominantly maritime, with gentle, humid winters and cool, rainy summers, while the eastern part of the country has distinctly continental climate with harsh winters and hotter, drier summers.
Temperatures fall below zero from November to March. Polish spring lasts about 60 days, temperature is then 5-15°C. In summer temperature is often above 20°C and it is the best time to visit the country. In autumn temperature is 5-15°C. In winter temperature may be as low as minus 15/20°C with snowfalls. Winter lasts 2-3 months at the seaside and in the west of Poland, or 3-4 months in the east-north of Poland.
Population
Poland has a population of over 38 126 000 people. It is 32. most populated country in the world, and 7. in Europe. 61.8% of its inhabitants live in towns and cities, 38.2% in rural areas. About 90% people declare themselves Roman Catholics.
Time zone
Time zone in Poland is GMT + 1
Money and banking
There are five notes (10, 20, 50, 100, 200) and 9 coins (1, 2, 5, 10, 20 groszy, and 1, 2, 5 złotych) of Polish currency available. Grosz (gr) is a hundredth part of 1 złoty.
Banks are open Monday through Friday (usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), some are open also on Saturdays (from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.).
Exchange rates are published in the daily newspapers, at the banks and over the Internet. Information on exchange rate (in Polish and English) is available at Polish National Bank website http://www.nbp.pl
Banks are the safest place to exchange money, some charge a commission fee (2-3% per transaction). Exchange offices (kantory) charge no commission. It is not advisory to exchange money at places other than banks or exchange offices. Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in authorised sales offices (e.g. American Express) and at several banks.
Debit and credit cards (Access/MasterCard, American Express, Diner’s Club, EuroCard, JCB, Visa) are accepted in most shops. MasterCard and Visa are common used with cash machines.
There are numerous bank divisions in Konin, e.g.: Polska Kasa Opieki BP, Polska Kasa Opieki S.A., Kredyt Bank S.A., Bank Gospodarki Żywnościowej S.A., Bank Ochrony Środowiska S.A., Bank Pocztowy S.A., Getin Bank S.A., Bank Współpracy Europejskiej S.A., Bank Śląski S.A., CITIBANK S.A., Gospodarczy Bank Wielkopolski S.A., INVEST-BANK S.A., Bank Zachodni WBK S.A. Raiffeisen Bank Polska S.A.
Phone calls
To make a phone call from a public telecommunication company phone a 15-, 30-, and 60-unit chip card is necessary. (9, 15, and 24 zł respectively). Phone cards are available at newsagent’s, post offices, petrol station, telecommunication customer service points (telepunkty).
There are several GSM operators: ERA, HEYAH, ORANGE, PLUS.
Post office
Letters, cards, and parcels can be posted via Polish Post (Poczta Polska). Post offices are usually open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. An ordinary stamp in Poland (a letter up to 50 grams) is 1.35 zł, abroad 2.30 zł.
There are several post offices in Konin, the biggest is at 5 Kolejowa Street. It is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at weekends and on holidays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Public transport
There is a network of buses in the town and its suburbs. Bus tickets are 1.05 zł (student discount up to 26 years of age) and 2.10 zł. They are available from newsagent’s and Municipal Transport Company (Miejski Zakład Komunikacji) sales points. A monthly pass (miesięczny bilet sieciowy) for all MZK connections is available. In the evenings and at night taxi appears the best and most convenient means of transport – it can be taken from a taxi rank or ordered over the phone.
Shopping
Polish shops are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Supermarkets and hypermarkets and are usually open all week long from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In Konin there are the following supermarkets: InterMarche, Carrefour, Kaufland, Lidl, Netto, Polomarket. There are also convenience shops and groceries open 24/7. Late-night shopping can also be done at petrol stations. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available at the town market (straight from producers).
Safety
It is better not to go to places which guidebooks and friends warn against. Mugging is not frequent. Pick pocketing does occur, especially on crowded buses and trains. It is not wise to leave radio or other valuable objects in the car.
IDs
In Poland the following international documents are valid:
- International Student Identity Card;
www.isic.pl - EURO<26;
www.euro26.pl - Youth Hostels Association Card.
English version