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POLISH LANGUAGE AND SOCIOLOGY
CENTRE FOR SOCIAL STUDIES
AT THE POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(spring semester only)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Study Abroad Poland provides a unique opportunity for advanced undergraduate and graduate students to take MA courses at the Centre for Social Studies (CSS) at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. The CSS offers an English-language graduate program operated in partnership with Lancaster University (in the UK) and the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (IFiS) of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The IFiS is a leading institution for the social sciences in Poland, and the CSS is a part of a Centre of Excellence newly designated by the Polish Ministry of Scientific Research & Information Technology.
Since the courses are within the framework of the four MA programs (Society and Culture, Society and Politics, Society and Media, and Economy and Society), they are perfect for students studying Central and Eastern European studies, sociology, cultural studies, economics, political science, and media studies. The student body consists of representatives from more than 18 different countries. Many of them come from Central and Eastern Europe, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet, interact, and share ideas with scholars from the region.
The professors are drawn from all over Europe as well as the US and Australia, so it’s a truly international learning experience.
DATES & FEES
| Dates Spring Semester (February – May) |
Fees TBA |
What’s included in the program fee:
Tuition and fees
The program includes full tuition and fees at the CSS.
Official transcript
One to two months after completing the program, we’ll send your home university an official transcript from the CSS. This allows you to transfer credit back to your university. The transcript contains the course title, grade, and number of hours for each course.
Housing in a university residence hall
During the program you’ll live in a double room in a residence hall in Warsaw. This is a great way to meet Polish students and get involved in student activities.
On-site program director (24-hour support)
Throughout the program, you’ll receive on-site support from
the Program Director. The director will meet you at the airport,
lead the orientation session, organize activities, and be available
24-hours a day.
Airport transfers
In order to make your arrival go smoothly, your Program Director will meet you at Warsaw’s airport (Frederic Chopin Airport). He/she will take you in a taxi to the residence hall and help you move in. At the end of the program, the Director will also take you to the airport before departure.
In-country orientation
You’ll take part in a 3-day orientation session at the beginning of the program. The Program Director will provide you with helpful advice and tips for living in Warsaw, review the schedule of activities for the semester, distribute cell phones, and teach a survival Polish class.
Free use of pre-paid cell phone
During the orientation session you’ll be provided with a cell phone and a number of initial minutes. You’ll be responsible for recharging your phone with minutes. A cell phone is a great way to keep in touch with your friends and family back home. Also, text messaging is a popular and economical way to communicate with your friends in Poland.
Transportation pass
To help you travel smoothly around Warsaw, we’ll provide you with a transportation pass that can be used on all buses, trams, the subway, and some local commuter trains.
Free Internet access
The CSS has a computer lab with full access to the Internet. During the orientation session, you’ll receive information about using the computer room.
Extra-curricular activities
Extra-curricular activities will be planned throughout the semester. These activities are designed to help you get to know Warsaw and the Polish culture better. For many of the activities the Program Director will invite local Polish students. Some sample activities include: a tour of Warsaw, a BBQ with Polish students, pierogi tasting, a tour of the Warsaw Uprising Museum, a day-trip to Wilanow (a 17th-century palace outside of Warsaw), bowling, a Chopin concert in Lazienki Park, and many more. You’ll receive a schedule of activities during the orientation session. All activity fees are included in the program price.
Since we want to give you the freedom to travel on your own, excursions are not included in the price of the program. However, we do offer organized excursions for an additional fee. Your Program Director will provide you with a list of organized excursions and fees at the beginning of the program. Generally, they include Krakow, Auschwitz (a former Nazi concentration camp), the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Zakopane, and Gdansk. You are also encouraged to suggest excursion locations.
Health insurance
You’ll be provided with health and accident coverage through HTH Worldwide Insurance. The HTH U.S. Study Abroad Health Plan is designed especially for U.S. Study Abroad students, and provides 100,000 USD of coverage. HTH has a list of approved doctors and health facilities in Warsaw. Your policy information will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.
What’s NOT included in the program fee:
• meals
• spending money
• round-trip airfare to Poland
• textbooks (including photocopies and readers)
• excursions
Please note: since we want to give you freedom to travel on your own, excursions are not included in the program fee. However, we do offer organized excursions for an additional fee. Your Program Director will provide you with a list of organized excursions and fees at the beginning of the program. Generally, they include Krakow, Auschwitz (a former Nazi concentration camp), the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Zakopane, and Gdansk. You are also encouraged to suggest excursion locations.
COURSES & DESCRIPTIONS
Students are required to take an intensive 90-hour Polish language
course (all levels are offered). In addition, students choose from
the elective courses below. All elective courses are taught in
English. Students can earn 14 semester/21 quarter credits per semester
(210 hours of class time).
Required Course:
• Intensive Polish Language (6 semester credits/9 quarter credits)
Elective Courses:
• Society and Politics (4 semester/6 quarter credits)
• Economic Sociology (4 semester/6 quarter credits)
• Culture and Society (4 semester/6 quarter credits)
• Mass Media and Society (4 semester/6 quarter credits)
• Sociological Theory and Methods (4 semester/6 quarter credits)
TRANSFER CREDIT
You’ll receive an official transcript from the Centre for Social Studies/ Polish Academy of Sciences. This allows you to transfer credit back to your home university.
The credits listed are estimated credits for the courses. You should speak with the study abroad advisor at your home university to determine the number of transfer credits and obtain pre-approval for your courses.
After completing the program, we’ll send your registrar or study abroad advisor an official transcript with the course titles, course hours, and grades. Your university will need this transcript to transfer credit.
Requirements:
The program is open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must have completed at least two years of university studies. Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
HOUSING
During the program you’ll live in a double room in a residence hall in Warsaw. In your room you’ll have your own bed, desk, chair, closet, and bookshelves, and each room has its own bathroom. The residence hall also includes a laundry room (coin-operated washers and dryers). Living in a residence hall is a great way to meet Polish students and get involved in student life!
STUDYING IN WARSAW
With a population of more 1.7 million people, Warsaw is an ideal location for those of you who like the big city life. It became the country’s capital in 1596 when King Zygmunt III moved the royal residence there from Krakow. Since then Warsaw has witnessed many hardships (it was almost completely destroyed during WW II), but it has emerged as a cosmopolitan city and the business center of the country. Here you can find modern architecture juxtaposed with carefully-restored palaces and castles. The city boasts a beautiful Old Town and many theaters, museums, monuments, restaurants, and parks. And since it is home to a number of large universities, there are plenty of college students to meet and socialize with.
WORKING IN WARSAW
It is possible to work during your studies. You can usually find a job teaching English. Since this type of work has flexible hours, it is easy to combine with your studies. You can earn about 10 USD per hour, and depending on your university schedule you can probably teach about 10 to 15 hours per week. Your employer will provide you with information on registering for work and obtaining a work visa.
HOW TO APPLY
The program is open to advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must have completed at least two years of university studies. Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline
Spring Semester: November 1
Late applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Applying for our programs is simple! Fill out the on-line application form and wait for more information from us.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
All US and Canadian citizens need passports to travel to Poland. If you don’t have a passport yet, you should apply for one as soon as possible. The application process could take a long time. For more information on applying:
American students should visit:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Canadian students should visit: http://www.ppt.gc.ca
If you already have a passport, you should check to make sure it is valid at least 6 months after the program ends.
Semester students should obtain a student visa before departure. The application process is easy, and we’ll provide you with the necessary documents along with specific instructions for applying for a visa in your pre-departure mailings.
FINANCIAL AID
It is possible to transfer your financial aid to pay for some or all of the program costs. The first step is to check with your home institution’s financial aid advisor before applying. Since every home institution has different rules, only your advisor can tell you what kind of aid can transfer. Study Abroad Poland is happy to provide you with a certificate of enrollment or any other documents that your university might require.
The International Education Finance Corporation (IEFC) provides student loans for you who are interested in studying abroad. Please visit their website for more details: http://www.iefc.com
Another lender providing loans for study abroad programs is My Rich Uncle Education Finance: http://www.myrichuncle.com
SAMPLE BUDGET
As part of your program fee, Study Abroad Poland pays for your tuition & fees, housing, on-site staff, health insurance, use of a pre-paid cell phone, transportation pass, and scheduled extra-curricular activities.
You are responsible for paying for the following:
• meals
• spending money
• round-trip airfare to Poland
• textbooks (including photocopies and readers)
• additional travel
pre-paid phone cards for your cell phone (we provide you with an initial amount of minutes)
Here is a suggested semester budget:
Meals |
900 USD |
Transportation (round-trip from the US or Canada) |
800-1000 USD (depending on the city) |
Additional Travel |
500-900 USD (depending on how much you want to travel) |
Books and Photocopies |
50 USD |
Personal Expenses |
500 USD |
Total |
2,750-3,350 USD |