About Poland

Located in the heart of Europe, Poland combines centuries of history with modern cities, diverse landscapes and a rich cultural life. For international students, it offers an opportunity to experience a country where local traditions remain important while university communities are becoming increasingly international.

Poland at a glance

Poland is one of the largest countries in Central Europe, with a population of approximately 37.5 million. It has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and is part of the Schengen Area.

 The capital and largest city is Warsaw. Other major academic and cultural centres include Kraków, Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk, Łódź, Lublin, Toruń and Bydgoszcz.

The official language is Polish, and the national currency is the Polish złoty, abbreviated as PLN or zł. Although Poland is a member of the European Union, it has not adopted the euro.

Contemporary Poland is more culturally diverse than it was a few decades ago. In addition to historical national and ethnic minorities, the country is now home to growing communities from Ukraine, Belarus and many other parts of Europe and the world. This diversity is particularly visible in larger cities and university communities.

The Polish language: challenging but rewarding

Polish belongs to the West Slavic group of Indo-European languages and is closely related to Czech and Slovak.

At first sight, words such as przepraszam (“excuse me” or “I am sorry”), szczęście (“happiness”) and źdźbło (“a blade of grass”) may appear intimidating. Polish uses several letters and combinations that do not occur in English, including ą, ć, ę, ł, ń, ó, ś, ź and ż.

 The grammar includes seven cases and numerous word endings. The good news is that Polish pronunciation is relatively regular: once you learn how particular letters and combinations are pronounced, you can usually read unfamiliar words aloud.

You do not need to speak Polish fluently to study in Poland, especially if your courses are taught in English. However, learning a few everyday expressions will make daily life easier and is always appreciated:

Dzień dobry – Good morning / Good afternoon
Cześć – Hi / Bye
Proszę – Please / You’re welcome
Dziękuję – Thank you
Przepraszam – Excuse me / I’m sorry
Do widzenia – Goodbye
Nie mówię po polsku – I don’t speak Polish
Czy mówi Pan/Pani po angielsku? – Do you speak English?

 Many younger people and university staff speak English, particularly in academic environments and larger cities. Nevertheless, it is best not to assume that English will be understood everywhere.

A modern European economy

Poland has undergone a major economic transformation since the end of the communist period in 1989. Today, it has a diversified economy with strong manufacturing, logistics, business services, information technology, finance, food production and creative industries.

Its central location, membership of the European Union and connections with both Western and Eastern European markets make Poland an important place for international business and investment.

For students, this means access to a growing employment market, international companies, start-ups, internships and professional networks. Rules concerning employment differ depending on nationality and residence status, so international students should always verify the current requirements before taking up paid work.

From the Baltic Sea to the Tatra Mountains

Poland’s landscape is much more diverse than its largely flat central regions might suggest.

In the north, the country has a long Baltic coastline with sandy beaches, dunes, cliffs and seaside towns. The Masurian Lake District is known for its thousands of lakes and is one of Poland’s most popular destinations for sailing, kayaking and summer holidays.

Central Poland is characterised by plains, agricultural landscapes, river valleys and extensive forests. The south is dominated by uplands and mountains, including the Sudetes and the Carpathians.

The Tatra Mountains contain Poland’s highest peak, Rysy, whose north-western summit rises to 2,499 metres. Other popular mountain regions include the Beskids, the Karkonosze and the Bieszczady.

Poland has 23 national parks. Particularly distinctive natural areas include:

  • Białowieża Forest, one of the last major remnants of Europe’s primeval lowland forest and home to the European bison;
  • the wetlands of Biebrza National Park;
  • the moving dunes of Słowiński National Park;
  • the lakes and forests of the Masurian region;
  • the alpine landscapes of Tatra National Park;
  • the remote mountain scenery of the Bieszczady.

Brown bears, wolves, lynxes, beavers and European bison can still be found in Poland, although most wild animals avoid contact with people.

A thousand years of history and culture

Poland’s architectural and cultural heritage reflects more than a thousand years of history. Gothic churches, Renaissance town halls, Baroque palaces, wooden temples, medieval castles and nineteenth-century industrial buildings can be found throughout the country.

Polish sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List include:

  • the historic centres of Kraków and Warsaw;
  • the medieval town of Toruń;
  • the Old City of Zamość;
  • the Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines;
  • the Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork;
  • Białowieża Forest;
  • the Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica;
  • the Centennial Hall in Wrocław;
  • the wooden churches of southern Poland.

The reconstructed Old Town of Warsaw has particular symbolic importance. Almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, it was carefully rebuilt using historical plans, paintings and photographs.

Poland also has a strong tradition of literature, music, theatre, cinema and visual art. Internationally recognised Polish figures include composer Fryderyk Chopin, scientist Maria Skłodowska-Curie, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and Nobel Prize-winning writers Wisława Szymborska and Olga Tokarczuk.

Concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, student festivals and open-air events take place throughout the year. For current destinations and travel ideas, visit the official Polish Tourism Organisation website.

Polish food: much more than pierogi

Traditional Polish cuisine is filling and strongly influenced by seasonal ingredients, regional customs and the country’s multicultural history.

Dishes worth trying include:

  • pierogi – dumplings with fillings such as potato and cheese, meat, cabbage and mushrooms, or seasonal fruit;
  • żurek – a sour rye soup, often served with egg and sausage;
  • barszcz – beetroot soup, sometimes served with small dumplings;
  • bigos – a slow-cooked dish made with sauerkraut, fresh cabbage and meat;
  • placki ziemniaczane – potato pancakes;
  • gołąbki – cabbage leaves filled with rice and meat or a vegetarian filling;
  • oscypek – smoked sheep’s cheese produced in the Tatra region;
  • pączki – filled Polish doughnuts;
  • sernik – Polish cheesecake;
  • krówki – soft milk-caramel sweets.

 Vegetarian and vegan options are now widely available, especially in university cities. Many traditional dishes, including pierogi, soups and pancakes, can also be prepared without meat.

Lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day. A useful and affordable option for students is a bar mleczny or “milk bar”—a casual canteen serving inexpensive Polish food.

Everyday etiquette

Social conventions in Poland are broadly similar to those in other European countries, but a few customs are worth knowing.

Greetings: In formal situations, use Dzień dobry rather than Cześć. People commonly shake hands when meeting, although this depends on the situation.

Forms of address: Polish distinguishes between informal and formal speech. Pan is used when addressing a man politely and Pani when addressing a woman. First names are common among students, but academic staff may initially be addressed more formally.

Punctuality: Being on time is expected for classes, appointments and formal meetings.

Visiting someone’s home: Guests are often expected to remove their shoes. Your host may offer you slippers.

Public transport: Giving up a seat to an older passenger, a pregnant person or someone with limited mobility is considered courteous.

Restaurants: A tip of approximately 10% is common when service is satisfactory, but it is not compulsory. If you want to leave a tip when paying in cash, avoid saying “thank you” before receiving your change, as it may be understood to mean that the change is the tip.

Polish communication can sometimes appear direct to people from cultures in which messages are expressed more indirectly. This usually reflects communication style rather than unfriendliness.

Holidays and celebrations

Poles celebrate birthdays, but some also observe name days—the day in the calendar associated with their first name. The tradition is more common among older generations, although it is still present in many families.

Important public holidays include:

  • 1 January – New Year’s Day;
  • 1 May – Labour Day;
  • 3 May – Constitution Day, commemorating the Constitution of 1791;
  • 15 August – Assumption Day and Armed Forces Day;
  • 1 November – All Saints’ Day;
  • 11 November – National Independence Day;
  • 25 and 26 December – Christmas.

All Saints’ Day is particularly important. Families visit cemeteries, decorate graves with flowers and light candles in memory of relatives and friends who have died. In the evening, Polish cemeteries are illuminated by thousands of candles.

Christmas and Easter are widely celebrated and are associated with family gatherings and regional traditions. Many shops, offices and institutions are closed on public holidays, so it is advisable to plan shopping and travel in advance.

A few expectations—and the reality

Is Poland always cold?

No. Poland has four distinct seasons. Winters can bring snow and temperatures below freezing, but their length and severity vary. Summers are often warm and may include periods of hot weather above 30°C. Spring and autumn can change quickly, so layered clothing and a waterproof jacket are useful.

Will I manage without speaking Polish?

In universities and larger cities, it is usually possible to communicate in English. English may be less widely spoken in small shops, local offices or among older people. Translation applications and a few basic Polish phrases can be very helpful.

Are Polish people reserved?

First meetings may feel more formal than in some cultures, and strangers do not always engage in casual conversation. Relationships often become much warmer once people get to know one another. Invitations to someone’s home, shared meals and offers of practical help are common expressions of hospitality.

Is Polish culture the same everywhere?

Definitely not. Poland has strong regional identities, dialects, cuisines and traditions. Life in the Baltic port city of Gdańsk feels different from life in the Tatra region, Upper Silesia, Podlasie or central Poland. Studying here is an opportunity to discover not one uniform culture, but many local versions of Poland.

Make the most of your stay

Do not limit your experience to the university and your accommodation. Travel by train, try regional food, visit a national park, attend a local festival and learn enough Polish to start a simple conversation.

Poland often becomes most interesting once you look beyond the best-known destinations. Historic towns, forests, lakes, mountains and regional traditions are all within reach—and many of them can be explored during a weekend away from Bydgoszcz.