FAQs

Below are the answers to some questions that prospective students often ask us. We hope you’ll find them useful. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us: info@studyabroadpoland.com

HOW DO I APPLY?

It’s easy. Fill out our on-line application form: http://www.studyabroadpoland.com/apply.html Then wait for information from us!

WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

The application deadlines vary for each program. Visit our “Dates & Fees” page for specific dates.
 http://www.studyabroadpoland.com/dates_fees.html

HOW MUCH DO THE PROGRAMS COST?

On our “Dates & Fees” page all the current program prices are listed.

CAN I EARN COLLEGE CREDIT?

Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer credit from courses taken abroad. Before applying it’s important to speak with the study abroad advisor at your home institution to obtain pre-approval for your courses and determine how many credits you’ll receive. Every educational institution has different policies about transferring credit, so we encourage you to follow your institution’s regulations. Usually the number of credits that you receive depends on the number of teaching hours. Following the American system, we suggest awarding 1 semester credit for every 15 hours of class time or 1 quarter credit for every 10 hours of class time.

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.

The cost of the program is always the same regardless of whether or not you take the courses for credit.

CAN I USE MY FINANCIAL AID TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM?

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 you 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 students 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

DO I HAVE TO SPEAK POLISH?

No. For all programs, Polish is not a pre-requisite. All elective courses are taught in English. You are strongly encouraged to take a Polish language class as part of the program to facilitate cultural immersion.

If you speak Polish fluently, there are some elective courses taught in Polish at Collegium Civitas in the spring semester, so this would be a good way to improve your academic skills in Polish.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT?

Yes. 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 because the application process could take a long time. Here are some useful websites:

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.

DO I NEED A VISA?

Semester students need to 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.

Most summer students don’t need a visa. American and Canadian students can travel to Poland for up to 90 days without a visa. Since visa rules frequently change, it is important to check with the Polish Embassy in your home country after being accepted to a program.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

We will send you the exact dates of your program with your acceptance package. Please remember that you should generally depart the US or Canada ONE day before the program start date because the flights are overnight. For example, if your program starts on September 26, then you should plan to depart the US on September 25.

WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

All students should fly into Warsaw International Airport (Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport).

WILL SOMEONE PICK ME UP FROM THE AIRPORT?

Yes. Your Academic and Social Director will meet you at the airport at the time that you indicate on your arrival form.

WHERE WILL I LIVE?

With the exception of the Krakow program, students live in residence halls in double rooms. Single rooms can be requested for an additional fee. There is either a shared bathroom between two rooms or single-sex bathrooms on the floor. The residence halls provide a great opportunity to meet local students! For the Krakow program students are housed in furnished apartments with 1-4 other students.

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?
No. With the exception of the 4-week program in Torun, meals are not included. Students have access to a kitchen at the residence hall. Eating out at student cafes is relatively inexpensive, so students tend to choose this option.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?
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: Round-trip airfare to Poland, meals (some meals are included in the 4-week summer program in Torun), spending money, pre-paid phone cards for your cell phone (we provide you with an initial amount of minutes), books and supplies.

ARE EXCURSIONS INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?
No. 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 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.

WHAT KIND OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WILL BE OFFERED?
Extra-curricular activities will be planned throughout the program. These activities are designed to help you get to know the Polish culture better. For many of the activities the Program Director will invite local Polish students. Some sample activities include: city tours, a BBQ with Polish students, pierogi tasting, museum tours, bowling, and many more. You’ll receive a schedule of activities during the orientation session. All activity fees are included in the program price.

WILL I GET A CELL PHONE?

Yes. All students are provided with a cell phone and a number of initial minutes. Students are responsible for recharging their phones with minutes.  A cell phone is a great way to keep in touch with your friends in Poland and your family back home. In Poland you are not charged for incoming calls, so your parents can call you and it won’t cost you any minutes on your phone. Text messaging is also a popular and economical way to communicate with your friends in Poland.

WILL I HAVE TIME TO TRAVEL ON MY OWN DURING THE PROGRAM?

Yes. There will be free weekends throughout the program to travel around Poland or to neighboring countries. We’ll give you some travel trips in your pre-departure and orientation materials.

WHAT PRE-DEPARTURE MATERIALS WILL I RECEIVE FROM STUDY ABROAD POLAND?

After being accepted to the program you’ll receive the following:

First Mailing: This includes your acceptance letter with some basic information about the program and some important documents that you need to fill out.

Second Mailing: This will include your university acceptance letter (for semester students for their student visa) plus our “Guidebook to Poland,” which includes plenty of orientation information and advice to help you prepare for your trip.

Third Mailing: This will be mailed to you 3 to 4 weeks before departure. This includes your insurance, housing, and arrival information.

DO I NEED TO PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE PROGRAM?

No. All programs include health/accident insurance from HTH Worldwide. You will receive more information in your acceptance packet.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN ORIENTATION?

The orientation session is a fun time to meet other students and to get acquainted with your host city. On-site orientation generally lasts 2 to 3 days and it includes a tour of the city, important information about the program, survival Polish lessons, advice on living in Poland, and much more!