1.

Facts about Poland

You are lucky because you have chosen one of the greatest countries as a place to study. Of course Poland is beautiful and interesting country with rich history… Yes but such big country must vary in its regions, customs, traditions, geographical conditions. Here you will find everything from the seaside to mountains, even a desert… really small one. For sure everyone will find something suitable. Poland is mostly lowland but the landscape is very varied. We have sandy beaches in the north and in the south Tatra Mountains, where people who love the communion with nature will find a perfect place to rest. Not only lovers of nature will find something for them also active people who love a active lifestyle they will find a possibility of variety recreational activities. The mountains are a great place for hiking, climbing and in winter time a great place for skiing. The Varmia and Masuria region with many lakes is a ideal area for water sports. Our local cuisine and the hospitality of our citizens will make that you will enjoy studying in Poland. Poland played an important role in Europe’s and World’s history. It is a place where many cultures and nationalities come into contact, they were living together or fighting. Even if now Poland seems quite homogeneous country, it was not so in the past. Do you know why? Poland is a good place for passionate about history, culture and cultures. Poland profile overview at Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/pl.html Other links: http://poland.pl/poland/0,0.html http://en.poland.gov.pl/ http://www.polska.travel/pl 1.1 General informations  History in short Poland's really in short history as a state begins in the 966 year, when ruler of the state Mieszko converted country to Christianity of Roman Rite, which tied Poland with Western Christian culture circle. By the mid-16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in central and eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795 - Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves for 123 years. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state after the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force with over ten million members. Solidarity won free elections in 1989 and 1990 and took over the control of the parliament and the presidency, bringing the Communist era to a close. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.1

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https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pl.html

 Capital and location Poland is situated in Central Europe and its capital is Warsaw (Warszawa). Neighbors countries of Poland are Germany to the West, Czech Republic and Slovakia to the South, Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the East, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast as a Russian exclave) and the Baltic Sea to the North. The map below shows Polish neighbors as well as administrative division into 16 voivodships. Warmia and Mazury region is located in this darkest orange part on the map below.

Źródło: http://mapa-polski.blogspot.com/2012/06/mapa-administracyjna-polski.html

 Political system The Republic of Poland is a country with a republican political system in which the power is concentrated in the citizens’ hands. Poland is a parliamentary democracy, which means that all citizens can participate in ruling and have a constitutionally guaranteed influence on state fate. They also enjoy equal rights. The Polish political system consists of state institutions, political parties and the legislative powers. Poland is governed by a parliamentary and cabinet system. Power is divided between the legislative body (held by the Sejm, the Senate and, to a certain extent, the Constitutional Tribunal), the executive authority (the President, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers) and the judicial authority (an independent judicial system, with general, administrative, and military courts). All these elements of the Polish political system are coordinated with each other. During general parliamentary elections the citizens of Poland elect their representatives, who

belong to various political parties. These parties then take seats in the Sejm and Senate depending on the number of votes they receive during an election. More: http://www.president.pl/en/about-poland/polish-political-system/  State Symbols

o Flag two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; colors derive from the Polish emblem - a white eagle on a red field note: similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

o Emblem white eagle with gold crown

http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plik:Coat_of_arms_of_Poland-official3.png

o National anthem name: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka) lyrics/music: Józef WYBICKI note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied.  Public holidays This days are free from classes and work: o 1 January - New Year o January - Epiphany o March/April (depending on the calendar) - Easter Sunday and Monday o 1 May - Labour Day o May - Constitution Day

o Thursday in June (depending on the calendar) - Corpus Christi o August - Saint Mary’s Assumption/ Polish Army Day o 1 November - All Saints Day o November - Independence Day o 25-26 December - Christmas  Language Polish (język polski, polszczyzna) is a language of the Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages, used throughout Poland (being that country's official language) and by Polish minorities in other countries. It is also the second most widely spoken Slavic language, after Russian and even ahead of Ukrainian. Its written standard is the Polish alphabet, which has several additions to the letters of the basic Latin script:

ą, ć, ę, ł, ń ó, ś, ź, ż and ch, cz, dz, dź, dż, rz, sz Reported are cases of few foreigners who can pronounce the most difficult Polish saying: "W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie I Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie". The language is difficult, it has a lot of variety - declension, conjugation. In English language you have only a form of number 2: two and second when in polish you have 17 forms how to say 2: dwa, dwie, dwoje, dwóch, dwaj, dwiema, dwom, dwoma, dwojga, dwojgu, dwojgiem, dwójka, dwójki, dwójke, dwójka, dwójce, dwójko.  Population Poland, with about 38 million inhabitants, has the eighth-largest population in Europe and the sixth-largest in the European Union. It has a population density of 122 inhabitants per square kilometer (328 per square mile). Poland historically contained of many languages, cultures and religions on its soil. The outcome of the II World War, particularly the Holocaust as well as shift of Poland's borders, coupled with post-war expulsion of minorities, significantly reduced the country's ethnic diversity. Over 7 million Germans fled or were expelled from the Polish side of the West boundary. According to the census in 2002 year 96,74% of the population, consider themselves Polish, while 1,23% declared another nationality, and 2,03% did not declare any nationality. The largest minority nationalities and ethnic groups in Poland are: Silesians, Germans, Belarusians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Russians, Roma, Jews, Lemkos, Slovaks, Czechs, and Lipka Tatars. Among foreign citizens, the Vietnamese are the largest ethnic group, followed by Greeks and Armenians. In recent years, Poland's population has decreased because of an increase in emigration and a sharp drop in the birth rate. Since Poland's accession to the European Union, a significant number of Poles have emigrated, primarily to the United Kingdom, Germany and Republic of Ireland to search work and better opportunities for life. In April 2007, the Polish population of the United Kingdom had risen to approximately 300,000. Some sources claim that the number of Polish citizens who emigrated to the UK after 2004 is about 2 million. This, however, is contrasted by a recent trend that shows that more Poles are entering the country than leaving it. Polish minorities are still present in the neighboring countries of Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania, as well as in other countries. Altogether, the number of ethnic Poles living abroad is estimated to be around 20 million. The largest number of Poles outside of Poland can be found in the United States.  Religion

Until World War II Poland was a religiously diverse society, in which substantial Jewish, Christian Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic groups coexisted. Even then Roman Catholic was the dominant religion, declared by about 65% of the Polish citizens, followed by other Christian denominations, and about 3 million of Judaism believers (after war 30000). As a result of the Holocaust and the post–World War II flight and expulsion of German and Ukrainian populations, Poland has become overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. In 2007, 88% of the population declared belonging to the Catholic Church. Though rates of religious observance are lower at 52% of the Polish Catholics, Poland remains one of the most devoutly religious countries in Europe. Nowadays, Religious minorities include Polish Orthodox, various Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Eastern Catholics, Mariavites, Polish Catholics, Jews, and Muslims (including the Tatars of Białystok). Members of Protestant churches include about 77,500 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church, and a similar number in smaller Pentecostal and Evangelical churches. Freedom of religion is now guaranteed by the of the Polish Constitution from 1989, and it’s enabling the emergence of additional denominations. However, because of pressure from the Polish Episcopate, the exposition of doctrine has entered the public education system as well. According to a 2007 survey, 72% of respondents were not opposed to religious instruction in public schools, but the alternative courses in ethics are available only in one percent of the entire public educational system. From 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005 Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II), a Polish native, reigned as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been the only Slavic and Polish Pope to date, and was the first non-Italian Pope since Dutch Pope Adrian VI in 1522. Additionally he is credited with having played a significant role in hastening the downfall of communism in Poland and throughout Central and Eastern Europe; he is famously quoted as having, at the height of communism in 1979, told Poles "not be afraid", later praying: "Let your Spirit descend and change the image of the land... this land". About Pope John Paul II even polish atheists say “our Pope”. Famous destinations of Christian pilgrimage in Poland include the Monastery of Jasna Góra in the southern Polish city of Częstochowa, as well as the Family home of John Paul II in Wadowice just outside of Kraków.  Famous people Poland is the birthplace of many distinguished personalities among which are: Mikołaj Kopernik, Fryderyk Chopin, Maria Skłodowska Curie, Tadeusz Kościuszko, Kazimierz Pułaski, Józef Piłsudski, Lech Wałęsa and Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła). Polish literature dates back to the 12th century and includes many famous poets and writers such as Jan Kochanowski, Adam Mickiewicz, Bolesław Prus, Juliusz Słowacki, Witold Gombrowicz, Stanisław Lem and, Ryszard Kapuściński. Writers Henryk Sienkiewicz, Władysław Reymont, Czesław Miłosz, Wisława Szymborska have each won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Also a renowned Polish novelist, who wrote in the English language, was Joseph Conrad. Many world famous Polish movie directors include Academy Awards winners Roman Polański, Andrzej Wajda, Zbigniew Rybczyński, Janusz Kamiński, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Agnieszka Holland. World renowned actresses were Helena Modjeska and Pola Negri. Also many famous people are descendent from Poland, have polish roots but they emigrated to other countries where they started theirs career: Antonii Patek (exclusive watches), Helena Rubinstain, Maksymilian Faktorowicz (Max Factor).

Some famous sportsman and woman from Poland are: Adam Małysz, Andrzej Gołota, Robert Kubica, Robert Lewandowski, Agnieszka Radwańska. 1.2 Currency and exchange Although Republic of Poland is a member of the EU does not use the EURO € currency. The valid currency in Poland is the polish złoty (abbreviations: zł or PLN). So if you want to exchange your money to polish złoty you should visit the Currency Exchange (in polish - Kantor). 1 złoty = 100 groszy (eng. Cents) 1 EURO = about 4 PLN (4.3265 PLN in July 3013) In Olsztyn are many exchange offices especially along the Dąbrowszczaków Street, but they are also situated in a big shopping malls like TESCO or REAL and ,,ALFA’’ Shopping Centre in the town centre. Do not exchange big amount on the airport to avoid low exchange rate. 1.3 Transportation and travel You can find all means of transport in Poland. To travel around the country most popular means are trains, buses and cars.  Airports: Poles rarely use planes to get from one to the other cities in Poland, but the offer domestic flights is growing and it is a little more expensive than the Polish fast trains. Polish Airlines LOT – www.lot.pl Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport – www.airport.gdansk.pl Chopin Airport In Warsaw - http://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/pl/pasazer Some private bus lines offer a transfer from airports to Olsztyn. From Chopin Airport in Warsaw you can use Radeks bus line which which have the bus stop next to the arrival Hall. From Gdańsk Lech Walesa Airport you can use Wagner Transport bus line, which will transfer you to Olsztyn. o o o

 Trains: Foreigners traveling by train in Poland consider that our trains are cheap and comfortable. However they complain about the toilets in trains, ticketing queues in front of cash on railway stations and that ladies selling tickets do not speak English. In half it is true but for sure in bigger cities you will find people speaking English, in other cases use the polish phrases for such occasion which you can find in the dictionary at the end of this guide book. o o o o

Railway guide – www.rozklad.pkp.pl Train schedule. Information about tickets. Some of tickets you can buy online. PKP Intercity – www.intercity.pl Fast trains, but more expensive. Train schedule. Information about tickets. Some of tickets you can buy online.

 Public and private buses: Using your own car or bus you will have to come into contact with the Polish roads, in the old ways are the wheelings, new roads are still under construction.

o o o o o o o o o o

PKS - http://www.rozklady.com.pl/ Public bus line PKS Olsztyn - http://www.pks.olsztyn.pl/ Public bus line from Olsztyn Radex – http://www.radex.net.pl/ Private bus line form Olsztyn to Warsaw and the way back. Tickets online, Reservation by phone. Cost – 28zł Transwal - http://www.transwal.pl/ Private bus line form Olsztyn to Warsaw and the way back. Tickets online, Reservation by phone. Cost 28 zł Polski Bus - http://www.polskibus.com/ Private bus Line, which have connections with most of cities in Poland. Tickets bought earlier are cheaper.

1.4 Climate, time zone, electricity, telephone numbers  Climate Poland has a moderate climate. Spring starts in March with temperatures varying from -1 to +20 C, until about April or May. Summers temperature is varying from 21 to 32 °C, the weather is dry and sunny mixed together with rain. Autumn begins with warm September thereafter colder weather until December, when winter begins and the temperatures is about -4 °C but it can fall as low as -30 °C, the weather includes shorter or longer period of snow. Nowadays the most characteristic feature for climate in Poland is unpredictable. If you are in climate of Poland remember that you may experience fewer hours of sunlight during winter than you are accustomed to. This could often lead to mood swings or feelings of lethargy. It is important that you spend time outdoors and maintain physical activity to combat the lack of motivation or slight depression that is sometimes attributed to shorter daylight hours. What is more climate of Warmia and Mazury region is quite humid. In the summer there is a lot of mosquitoes, especially near the lakes. In the woods and fields, be careful of ticks that may carry Lyme disease.  Time zone GMT + 1 (April - October : GMT + 2) Change of time: In Poland, the change in summer and winter time is regulated by the Prime Minister from January 5, 2012 on the introduction and removal CEST in the years 2012 to 2016 (OJ 2012 No. 0 pos. 33). Under that regulation, the time change from winter to summer is to change the display clock with 2:00 to 3:00, which will start time CEST. Usually it occur during night between last Saturday and Sunday of March. Back to winter time requires the withdrawal of one hour indications of clocks, ie, h. 3:00 to 2:00. Usually it occur during night between last Saturday and Sunday of October. In Poland time and hours are given in the range of 0-24. For example for 4 p.m. Poles usually said 16:00 o’clock (“szesnasta”) but sometimes also as 4th in the afternoon.  Electricity 220 Volt / 50 Hz ; continental sockets  Telephone

o Outgoing international code: 00 (To call abroad from Poland) o Country code: 48 (To call Poland) o Codes for some cities: Voivodeship Dolnośląskie Kujawsko-pomorskie Lubelskie Łódzkie Małopolskie Mazowieckie Opolskie Podkarpackie Podlaskie Podlaskie Pomorskie Śląskie Świętokrzyskie Warmińsko-mazurskie Warmińsko-mazurskie Wielkopolskie Zachodnio-pomorskie

City Wrocław Toruń Lublin Łódź Kraków Warszawa Opole Rzeszów Białystok Suwałki Gdańsk Katowice Kielce Elbląg Olsztyn Poznań Szczecin

Number 0 71 0 56 0 81 0 42 0 12 0 22 0 77 0 17 0 85 0 87 0 58 0 32 0 41 0 55 0 89 0 61 0 91

For example when you call the Dean’s Office from abroad you should chose following number: 00 48 89 524 64 00 sometimes it is written like this: (+/00 48) 89/ 524-6400 or in other combinations with graphic signs. In Poland you can find lot of mobile operators, the main of them are: Plus GSM, Play, Orange, T Mobile, Virgin Mobile 1.5 Places you have to visit in Poland Cities: Warszawa, Kraków with Jewish Quarter (near Kraków located are also Auschwitz extermination camp and Wieliczka Salt Mine), Tricity (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot), Wrocław, Toruń, Poznań, Lublin, Łódź

Towns: Zakopane, Zamość, Sandomierz, Kazimierz Dolny nad Wisłą, Malbork

http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plik:Marienburg_2004_Panorama.jpg

Places: Hel peninsula with sandy beaches, lakes on Warmia and Mazury, region of Podlasie, Tatra hills, route of wooden architecture of Orthodox churches, Tatar route

http://www.infotuba.pl/wydarzenia/Ciekawostki/dewastacji_polwyspu_helskiego_mowimy__stop__a5665.xml

To read more about attractions of Poland go to following links: o http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Poland/Things_To_Do-Poland-TG-C1.html o http://poland.pl/poland/0,0.html o http://www.worldtravelguide.net/poland/things-to-do o http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g274723-Activities-Poland.html o http://www.lonelyplanet.com/poland/things-to-do o http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/poland/a/Top-Reasons-To-Visit-Poland.htm o http://www.drewniana.malopolska.pl/ o http://www.szlaktatarski.pl/ o http://www.kruszyniany.pl/szlak.html o http://polska.pl/polska/0,0.html