Information package for

International Students Welcome to Wrocław! www.wsb.pl

Dear Student, Welcome to Wroclaw School of Banking! This booklet helps you prepare yourself for starting at WSB, and gives you an idea of what to expect during your stay here. Please read this booklet carefully, make sure you complete all tasks listed in the Priority Action Points section, and feel free to contact us with any questions. With best regards, Jarosław Tomaszewski Klaudia Klimczak Magdalena Kozula Magdalena Zielińska Centrum Współpracy Międzynarodowej Centre for International Cooperation Wyższa Szkoła Bankowa we Wrocławiu Wroclaw School of Banking Fabryczna Street 29-31 53-609 Wrocław phone +48 71 356 1616 fax +48 71 735 1265 www.wsb.pl/wroclaw

Table of Contents Priority Action Points .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Moving to Poland

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Registering with the City of Wroclaw........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Getting Insurance ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Opening a Polish Bank Account............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Getting a Cell Phone................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Getting an Urban Card........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Public Transport in Wrocław ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Accommodation ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Learning Polish Language ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Looking for a job in Poland .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Wroclaw School of Banking ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 Activities at WSB ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Wrocław - the meeting place ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Renting a bike ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Food ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17 Attractions in Wrocław ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Safety and regulations....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 2

www.wsb.pl

Priority Action Points Things you must/should do: 1. Registering with Extranet WSB System 2. Getting Insurance 3. Registering with the City of Wroclaw 4. Opening a Polish Bank Account 5. Getting an Urban Card

Moving to Poland Poland is the largest of the East European countries which joined the EU in May 2004. Poland is comparable in size to Italy or Germany and with a population of approximately 39 million (e.g. more than California) it ranks among the most influential and remarkable countries in central and

Eastern Europe. Poland is a stable democracy with a truly fascinating history, great cultural heritage and several areas of outstanding natural beauty. More info regarding travelling and sightseeing: www.poland.travel/en/

Poland in numbers Area

312 685 km2

Population

38.7 million

Density/sq km

124 (km2)

Capital

Warszawa (Warsaw) 1.65 million

Administrative division

16 provinces (wojewodztwa)

President

Andrzej Duda

Parliament

the Sejm 460 deputies, the Senate 100 deputies (four-year term)

Currency

1 Zloty (PLN) = 100 Groszy (1 EUR = aprox. 4 PLN)

Time

GMT+1h

Religion

Catholics 90.7 %, Orthodox 1.4%, others 7.9%

Nationalities

Poles 98.5 %, Ukrainians 0.6%, Germans 0.5%, others 0.4%

Life expectancy

68 years men, 77 years women

GDP

16 310 USD per capita, PPP - dollar

Inflation

4.5%

Average monthly salary

1000 USD

Unemployment

9.3%

Urbanization

65%

Literacy

99%

Tourism

14 million tourists visit Poland every year, Poland ranks 14th in the world as a tourist destination

Border countries

Germany (467 km), Czech Republic (790 km), Slovakia (538 km), Ukraine (529 km), Belarus (416 km), Russia (210 km), Lithuania (103 km), Baltic coastline (788 km)

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1. Registering with the City of Wroclaw Since December 21, 2007, Poland is part of the Schengen Area, a zone without controls on internal borders which comprises of 28 countries. As a student of Wroclaw School of Banking, you also become an inhabitant of the city of Wroclaw. UE citizens are obligated to register only if they are planning to stay here more than three months. Required documents Non-EU citizen • visa - travel document, temporary identity document of the foreigner, residence card or residence permit for a fixed period, a settlement permit, residence permit or a long-term EU decision on granting the refugee status in Poland, the subsidiary protection or permit for tolerated stay granted in the Republic of Poland • passport EU/EEA citizen • EU citizen’s Residence Card or residence permit • passport or other identity document Registration can be done by the representative, upon presentation an identity card by representative and in justified cases - other document allowing the identification. In case more information is needed: information centre of the municipality office under (71) 777 77 77.

During a temporary stay in Poland, a person entitled to health care under EEA rules can receive health services in the following areas: • primary health care, • specialist out-patient care, • hospital treatment, • dental treatment, • rescue services and ambulance transport. Foreigners that belong to one of following groups are entitled to public health care benefits: • people staying in Poland insured in countries belonging to EU or belonging to European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Employed in Poland • family members of insured clients (children, wives/ husbands, parents, grandparents) Refugees • unemployed people registered in an Office of Employment as well as the members of their family if they don’t possess any other kind of health insurances • clerics • children attending schools, even when their parents are staying in Poland illegally imprisoned You should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). A free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 28 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.

2. Getting Insurance

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By Polish law you are required to have health and personal liability insurance. This is very important because the cost of medical treatment can be very high. It is also a requirement in order to get a residence permit for those of you who need one.

Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider.

EU/EEA citizens Poland has the health care system based on general health insurance. Persons covered by the general health insurance are entitled to free health services in the territory of Poland at the health care providers who have concluded contracts with the National Health Fund (NFZ - Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia). The National Health Fund is the institution, which is responsible for assuring health services for insured persons and members of their families).

Non-EU/EEA citizens International students who come from non-European countries have, in most cases, a private insurance which was required for the visa application. But this insurance covers mostly only accidents and do not cover general practitioner’s consultation. For a general medical care insurance (Voluntary Health Insurance for Students from Foreign Counties) you have to apply in the NFZ department. People who are voluntary insured have

www.wsb.pl an obligation to report members of their family to the NFZ, in case if they don’t have their own insurances. Children, wives and husbands, parents and grandparents can benefit from this insurance if they are residing in the same household. Apart from academic and public medical care system there is also a well-developed private sector in Poland, and as a foreigner you have a right to decide on the system that you choose. Note! The insurance in the private clinic or by private insurance company doesn’t necessary cover the service in public clinics. WSB encourages international students to take out insurance through NFZ - National Health Fund. The process of registration is quite easy (to fill in the application please contact Ms. Magdalena Kozula at [email protected]). Note: the current premium for health insurance for students from foreign countries is 46,80 PLN. More information can be found on The National Health Fund website. www.nfz-wroclaw.pl (only in Polish!)

3. Opening a Polish Bank Account If you plan to stay in Poland for a longer period of time, consider opening a bank account in a local bank. Wide variety of services is offered to costumers and you can choose from many banks. What to consider? It’s good to choose a bank that offers: • no service fees • free bank transfers • withdrawals from all ATMs in Poland free of charge • free payment card • additional services: SMS notifications, insurances, account limits, and discount programmes Wroclaw School of Banking is recommending you to open bank account in BZ WBK (the part of Santander Group). Here you can find information in English/Spanish: www.bzwbk.pl/english Documents needed to open an account: passport + eventually visa and permanent or temporary Residence Card.

Other money matters (International students) The currency in Poland is the Polish Złoty (zł). Złoty is fully exchangeable currency. Other currencies are not accepted (the only exception – shops of international brands like H&M or hotels), but can be exchanged at banks and currency exchange points (Pol: kantor). 1 złoty divides into 100 groszy. The coins, apart from groszy, are: 1, 2, 5 złoty. Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100 and - rare – 200.

4. Getting a Cell Phone In Poland mobile phones (Pol: telefon komórkowy, komórka) almost completely replaced land lines. Getting one shouldn’t be a problem. Every mobile company has many offers customized for different users. It’s best to talk with consultants and compare the offers personally. If you don’t want to sign a contract, you can buy a pre-paid set. The offers also vary between companies, Plus for example has a special offer addressed to foreigners. They all include Internet access and a free packages of transfer, SMS and call minutes. Company Plus GSM T-Mobile Orange Play Heyah Virgin Mobile Nju Mobile

www www.plus.pl www.t-mobile.pl www.orange.pl www.play.pl www.heyah.pl www.virginmobile.pl www.njumobile.pl

5. Getting an Urban Card The Wrocław Urban Card is a convenient, multipurpose carrier of electronic services and products in a prepaid card format. From May 2010, the Wrocław Urban Transportation System’s tickets are encoded on the card. Benefits for URBANCARD users include e.g. an option to reclaim the ticket in the case the card is stolen or lost, wide availability of electronic ticket vending points, easy and convenient use, transaction security, multipurpose nature and durability of the card, as well as an option to implement new services supported by the card. 5

An Electronic Student Card that exists in the URBANCARD system may have electronic municipal transportation tickets encoded on it. Tickets may be encoded at Punkty Sprzedaży Biletów [Ticket Sales Points] and in ticket vending machines. (Ticket vending machines closest to the POS - Student Service Point] are situated at Rondo Reagana).

For more info please check www.urbancard.pl/en

6. Public Transport in Wrocław Wrocław’s public transport system is easy to use and fairly extensive, with 120 bus lines and 23 tram lines. You’ll rarely need trams or buses to get around the Old Town, but many affordable hotels and some sights are located outside the centre. Buses and trams run roughly from 04:00 to 00:00, with irregular night buses running after that. Most importantly, remember that tickets are not valid until you stamp them once inside the tram or bus. Schedules posted at each stop tend to be right on the money. ‘W dni robocze’ means Monday through Friday and ‘w dni wolne’ means Saturday and Sunday. For route planning, check out the innovative public transport journey planer: www.wroclaw.jakdojade.pl

How to get to WSB? Maps 1. National Health Fund - Joannitów Street 6 2. Urbancard Office - Grabiszyńska Street 9 3. Lower Silesian Governor’s Office - Powstańców Warszawy Square 1 4. Wroclaw School of Banking - Fabryczna Street 29-31

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7. Accommodation Wroclaw is a big academic centre, offering incoming students wide range of possibilities to find accommodation. Students usually choose between two options: dormitory or private apartment. Even though Wroclaw School of Banking do not have its own dormitory but you may apply for a room in dormitories offered by different universities. Universities in Wroclaw offer many dormitories, the best among them are those owned by Univer-

sity of Wroclaw, named Pencil and Crayon (Pol: Ołówek and Kredka). If you want to learn more about them and book a room please visit: www. international.uni.wroc.pl. To book a room you should contact directly the accommodation office at UWr: [email protected]. This option is open mostly for Erasmus looking for accommodation in second semester. Unfortunately in the first semester students from outside University of Wroclaw may apply for a dormitory room in October, which is quite late. So in this case it’s better to rent a room in a flat.

Another option is to rent a room in a private dormitory: Private Dormitory www.prywatnyakademik.wroclaw.pl

Contact : 48 667-316-242 Price: 350-550 PLN/month

If you are motivated to apply for a room in dormitory or look for a flat after arrival to Wroclaw and you need accommodation only for a short period, hostel is a good option.

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Name

www

Contact

Prices

Mleczarnia Hostel

www.mleczarniahostel.pl

48 71 787 75 70

35-45 PLN/night

Kościuszko Hostel

www.hostelkosciuszko.pl

48 514 281 878

32-100 PLN/night

DizzyDaisy

www.wroclawhostel.pl

48 513 151 973

30-80 PLN/night

Corner Hostel

www.hostel-centrum.wroclaw.pl

48 71 344 10 95

30-50 PLN/night

Absynt Hostel

www.absynthostel.pl

48 691 405 405

30-210 PLN/night

Youth Hostel on the Island

www.schronisko.hotel-tumski.com.pl

48 71 322 11 50

35-70 PLN/night

The One Hostel

www.onehostel.pl

48 71 337 24 02

45-80 PLN/night

www.wsb.pl If dorm life isn’t for you and you fear its rules, regulations, bureaucracy and restrictions the city offers some alternatives: a private house or flat. You can either rent a room in a house/flat occupied by the owners or rent a room in a student’s house where the entire flat is co-rented by students. There are two ways to rent a flat: through the real estate agency or directly from the owner. Real estate agencies: Name Simple Rent Simproperty MBA Gant Accord Renting Zone

www www.international.simplerent.pl www.simproperty.pl www.myboutiqueapart.com www.en.gant.pl www.accord-wroclaw.pl www.rentingzone.pl

Here is the list of websites offering rooms to rent from private owners: Name Erasmusu ExpatFinder JustLanded Gumtree OK Roommate Erasmate

www www.erasmusu.com www.housing.expatfinder.com www.housing.justlanded.com www.gumtree.pl www.okroommate.com www.erasmate.com

Unfortunately some of the announcement might be in Polish, so you will need to translate it or ask for help Polish speaking student.

While looking for a room is good to know what cost to expect: • single room – 600-900 PLN (depends on location) • room to share in a flat – 350-650 PLN per person • room in a dormitory – 400-800 PLN • bachelor flat (1-2 people) – 1000-1800 PLN • flat 2-4 rooms – >2000 PLN. All the cost written above are monthly and depends on location, room standard and other facilities. Additional cost which you need to pay signing the agreement is a deposit fee, usually in the amount of one month rent. Other useful information about costs of living in Wroclaw you can find here: www.expatistan.com. Where to look for accommodation in Wroclaw? • The Old Town (Stare Miasto), Legnicka Street, Grabiszyńska Street and surrounding areas, area near Galeria Dominikańska, Śródmieście (Downtown) and Nadodrze: Jedności Narodowej Street, Poniatowskiego Street and surrounding areas – good connection with the city centre • Pl. Strzegomski, Legnicka, Nowy Dwór, Muchobór, Popowice – near WSB • Grunwald – area where most of the dormitories are located.

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8. Learning Polish Language Being in Poland is a great opportunity to learn a Polish language. Polish 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. Its written standard is the Polish alphabet, which has several additions to the letters of the basic Latin script. If you feel like Polish is a language that you would like to learn come to Centre for International Cooperation – we offer a semester Polish language courses provided by qualified language teachers at WSB. The cost is 150 PLN/ semester. You can also check the offer of the following language schools: School

Price

www

The School of Polish Language and Culture for Foreigners (at the University of Wroclaw)

2900 EUR/year

www.sjpik.uni.wroc.pl

Link Polish for Foreigners

240-320 PLN/ month

www.link.szkola.pl

Atrius

375-985 EUR/ 5-10 days

www.atrius.pl

AB POLONIA

Contact to find out more

www.abpolonia.pl

Go Polish On-line

290-360 EUR/semester

www.gopolish.pl

Polish World – Polish Language School

228 EUR/3 months

www.en.polish-world.pl

Polonica School of Polish

1500 PLN/ semester

www.polonica.edu.pl

9. Looking for a job in Poland Regulations Citizens of EU member states and their family members do not need a work permit for Poland. Most non-EU citizens need a work visa and work permit in order work in Poland. Non-EU/EEA citizens Nationals of non-EU countries staying in Poland on the basis of a visa or a residence permit for a fixed period may be employed in Poland provided they possess a work permit. A work permit is a document that authorizes a foreigner to work legally in Poland. The permit indicates the company that entrusts the execution of work to the foreigner and the position or the type of work which the foreigner is to perform. The work is therefore regarded as legal only if the foreigner performs the work identified in the permit. The permit is valid for the period for which it was issued. The term of validity of the 10

permit is indicated on the document. A work permit is required both for taking up employment on the basis of an employment contract as well as civil law contracts.

www.wsb.pl The permit is issued by the Voivode competent for the seat / place of residence of the employer. There is also a large group of non EU-citizens who can legally work in Poland without the necessity of having an official permit. These include foreigners who: • are staying in Poland on the basis of a permit to settle (PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT) • are staying in Poland on the basis of a long-term EU resident permit • are staying in Poland on the basis of a permit for a temporary residence and work • are enrolled as regular, full-time students in Poland – then allowed to work in July, August and September, for the rest of the year a work permit is needed • work on assignments for the foreign mass media as accredited press, radio and TV correspondents, photographers and film makers • are artists • work less than 30 days during a calendar year as actors, singers, dancers, orchestra conductors,

instrumentalists, and mime artists • are people giving presentations of a particular scientific or artistic value or occasional speeches • hold the function of board members living permanently abroad (less than 30 days a calendar year). Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine If you’re a citizen of Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia or Ukraine, you may work in Poland without a work permit for six months in a period no longer than 12 months on the basis of a declaration of intention to entrust a job to a foreigner. Declaration must be registered by the employer at the Labour Office (PUP). EU/EEA citizens Citizens of the European Union and EEA countries and Switzerland are eligible to work in Poland without a work permit.

Where look for a job? Recruitment Agencies Randstad Fall Work Green Service Work Express AIC InterKadra

www www.randstad.pl www.fallwork.pl www.greenservice.pl www.workexpress.pl www.aicrecruitment.pl www.en.interkadra.pl

Advertisements websites Glassdor JustLanded Learn4Good iAgora NativeSpeaker Xpat Jobs

www www.glassdoor.com www.jobs.justlanded.com www.learn4good.com www.iagora.com www.nativespeaker.com.pl www.poland.xpatjobs.com

International companies Deloitte HP Qatar Airways BNY Mellon IBM McKinsey & Company Diamond Hotels Ernst & Young C.H. Robinson Volvo Group Credit Suisse

www www.jobs.deloitte.com www8.hp.com www.1.hays.pl www.jobs.bnymellon.com www.jobs3.netmedia1.com www.mckinsey.com www.hotelediament.pl www.ey.jobs www.chrobinson.catsone.com www.volvogoup.com www.credit-suisse.com 11

Wroclaw School of Banking About us

Teaching staff

Wroclaw School of Banking is a higher education institution founded by TEB Education Corporation in 1998. The WSB Schools of Banking are the largest group of private business schools in Poland. Our educational offer is available to students in cities such as Bydgoszcz, Chorzow, Gdansk, Gdynia, Opole, Olsztyn, Poznan, Szczecin, Torun and Wroclaw. In almost 21 years of operating in the domestic education market, over 250 000 students and graduates have put their trust in the WSB Schools of Banking. Thanks to our wide experience in education and cooperation with business environment, courses we offer suit actual labour market needs.

Permanent WSB teaching staff consists of 100 scientific and didactic employees also from international academic centres. For most of them Wrocław School of Banking is a basic employment in higher education. Apart from permanent staff there are lecturers from Wrocław University of Economics, Wrocław University, Wrocław University of Technology, Mining University in Dnepropetrovsk and Wilhelmsuniversität in Münster as well as people with long-term professional experience in total 130 people.

The main characteristics of our brand is friendliness and practical approach. It means that studies is a pleasure on one hand and gives our students competitive market position on the other. The School’s Mission is to produce highclass professionals with the knowledge and skills that they need to develop careers while at the same time making a conscious contribution to the creation of a modern Polish economy. In order to achieve this goal, Wroclaw School of Banking is continuously improving its teaching methods and programs as well as broadening the scope of the specializations offered whilst striving to guarantee the highest possible quality of education. 12

A significant number of classes at WSB are conducted by practitioners. These are directors and employees of banks, brokerage offices, insurance companies, chambers and tax offices, customs offices, creative directors, specialists in public relations, commerce, international finance, marketing managers, experts from consulting companies, owners of travel agents and tourist agencies.

Wrocław Business Park The main campus of Wroclaw School of Banking is located in the place which entirely reflects its identity and educational “personality”. WSB is based in Wrocław Business Park at 29-31 Fabryczna Street. Excellent public transport connections

www.wsb.pl (direct bus connections to the Market Square, the Railway and Bus Stations, Nowy Dwór) is only one advantage on the long list of advantages of WSB.

Teaching basis There are six buildings used by the School at present. Five of them are located in the main campus in the area of Fabryczna Street and one at 8 Łąkowa Street. All buildings located in Fabryczna Street are fully prepared for needs of the disabled. In all buildings there are modern rooms equipped with audio-visual equipment, big lecture rooms (for over 100 people), classrooms and computer labs. There is a free-of-charge car park in Fabryczna Street.

Student zones Appropriate relaxation is very important while studying. Knowledge acquisition is better when the student relaxes from time to time. That is why WSB has arranged places with comfortable sofas and armchairs, delicate light and a cozy atmosphere.

E-transcripts Electronic transcripts have been used by WSB for three years. Students emphasize this practical solution indicating the advantages: • saving time - they do not have to come over to school to get an entry into the transcript, • safety - all grades and credits are stored electronically in the school’s servers, • comfort - they do not have to take the transcript for the exam as they can access it anytime and anywhere to see their grades.

Partnerships In order to offer domestic students and students from different countries the chance to participate in an academic exchange, Wroclaw School of Banking has established quite impressive network of partner universities. WSB has agreements with about 50 universities and offers around 100 students a year the opportunity to enrich their academic experience with international perspective.

School online WSB provides students with a free-of-charge access to the internet through WI-FI network. In the corridors there are Web-kiosks which students can use at breaks. Each student may get an e-mail account and a place for one’s own website in the server. Extranet is an internal internet system that the student can use 24 hours a day to check important information about the studies. All exchange programmes for students organized by Centre for International Cooperation offer opportunities of adjusting the education level to requirements of the European labour market. WSB undertakes a lot of actions concerning international co-operation in order to enhance the European dimension of education. Short projects provided by WSB: • Erasmus+ actions • Intensive Programme IMEO/Summer Schools • Business Week in Wroclaw • Business Weeks abroad. 13

how-to-get-to = otodojazd.pl The WSB School in Wroclaw is the first higher education institution in the region of Lower Silesia whose students can commute together using the website otodojazd.pl. The site makes it possible for individuals to advertise available seats in their cars, inviting others to join and share the travel expenses. Group commutes are not only more comfortable and economical but they also stand for increased safety and clear benefits to the environment. At the same time, you can make new friends and have exciting conversations on the way to school. Visit www.otodojazd.pl/wsb for details.

Dreaming of having your own business? Every business idea can become flesh! To make this happen is the mission of the Academic Business Incubators (ABIs), an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting entrepreneurial attitudes among young Poles. The Polish ABIs make up Europe’s largest network of academic enterprise hubs. Through the ABIs, young people (up to 30 years of age) dreaming of having their own businesses can begin to make their dreams come true. An Academic Business Incubator has 14

been operational at the WSB School in Wroclaw since 2006, helping its students set up their own businesses and providing them a rich variety of training opportunities.

Job Fair at WSB School in Wrocław Job Fair is an annual event organized by the Careers Office of the WSB School in Wroclaw since 2006. While the Fairs are always held in the fall, each event is focused on a different theme. During the Fair, students can make direct contact with potential employers, find out about recruitment procedures and employers’ expectations in specific industries, and, last but not least, submit job applications. Many employers point to very good English skills as an essential prerequisite for employment.

Student TV at WSB Schools WSB TV is a place where students can learn to edit texts and films, and to perform in front of, as well as to work with, a TV camera. The WSB TV team includes cameramen, editors, newsmen and broadcasters working together to create original TV productions. Training, teamwork, and opportunities to build a personal brand make up a perfect setting in which to develop requisite skills for TV production jobs.

www.wsb.pl

Activities at WSB iWSB International WSB is a group of students who have experienced in international exchanges, are fancy meeting new people from different countries and helping them in adopting in polish reality. Each Erasmus student is given a Buddy who helps them to organize their stay in Wroclaw. Buddies have many duties, such as supporting in accommodation finding, transferring from airport to place of stay at the first day, exchanging information before arrival, helping in basic activities at the beginning of stay, etc.

Check our FB profile: International WSB

Salsa Group Enjoy a free salsa lessons! Come, meet new people and discover the sensuality of hot Latin rhythms! Classes are twice a week and last for one hour and a quarter. You can join basic or advanced group, select day and time. For all the participants the salsa parties are organized in Wrocław clubs. Contact: [email protected] FB page: Salsa WSB Wrocław University Sport Club AZS Currently the club is offering following sections: football, basketball, volleyball, jujitsu, alpine skiing, snowboarding, tennis, table tennis, horse riding, bowling, athletics. Contact: [email protected] Trip Club Conferences, meetings with representatives of the travel industry and travelers, international tourism fairs. All the students who love travelling and tourism are welcome. Contact: [email protected] or [email protected] FB page: WSBTripClub

Volunteer Center If you are open to new experiences, would like to help others and have some free time, you have to start your work with the Volunteer Center. Contact: [email protected]

Students Association of WSB A group of young active people with lots of interesting ideas. The association represents the interests of all the students and does organize student events and parties. Contact: [email protected] FB page: samorzadstudenckiwsbwroclaw

Wrocław – the meeting place

Wroclaw – a city with over a thousand year of tradition is a gem of south-western Poland, that is being discovered a new by tourists from Poland and abroad. Here, history meets modernity. Wroclaw is currently the most desired meeting place for people of culture, science, business and also students, and tourists. The process of unifying Europe that is in progress in the last decades makes it easier for the people living on our continent to discover forgotten or unavailable treasures of European culture. In Wroclaw history had entwined the fates of Polish, Czech, Jews, Hungarians, Austrians, and Germans. Nations, religions, and cultures mixed together so well, that today it is hard to tell what is done by who. After WWII Wroclaw saw the meeting of the residents of different regions of Poland, 15

who (and in particular those who lived in Lviv – today in Ukraine) created present, unique character of the city. Wroclaw is also one of the most important meeting places for the authors of Polish and European contemporary culture. Museums, cinemas, numerous cultural centres, big and small galleries, festivals, exhibitions. All of these show the richness of cultural life in Wroclaw and the constantly changing offer provides a chance to familiarize oneself with newest trends in art. Contemporary Wroclaw is lively, modern industrial and cultural centre, which strongly influence the development of Lower Silesia. Thanks to its location on the Odra river, Wroclaw has many picturesque islands and over 120 bridges.

press “Return” and follow the instructions on the screen. 4. Use - Use city bikes whenever you like. From the beginning of April to the end of November city bikes are available on a 24/7 basis. In Wroclaw you may use one of the 720 bicycles in 72 stations located in different part of Wroclaw. Bike users should remember to ride in accordance with traffic regulations, road signs and common sense.

Bike renting Good alternative for public communication in Wroclaw in spring/summer season is city rental bike. WRM (Wroclawski Rower Miejski) works under a Nextbike system from 2011. A single registration with Nextbike system allows for using a fleet of 21.000 bikes around the world. Nextbike bicycles can be rented on 24/7 basis from early spring to the end of autumn, with rental fees charged according to local tariffs. Wrocław City Bike – step by step 1. Enter the website: www.wroclawskirower.pl/en and register to the system by clicking on “Register”, fill in the required data, accept the rules and pay the minimum 10 zł of the initial fee. One minute and you may use the city bikes on 24/7 basis. Then you will receive an email with pin code. 2. Rent - Go to the terminal, press “Rent”, provide your mobile phone number and PIN and follow the instructions on the screen. The bike you have chosen is released automatically. If it is secured with a line – release it using the received code for the code lock. Have a nice ride! 3. Return the bicycle - You do not have to go to the terminal. Simply place the bicycle in the electrical lock. Don’t worry – the sound signal indicates you have returned the bike. If no free place is available in the station, fasten the bicycle with a code lock to the chosen stand or any other bicycle and change the numbers on the lock. In such case, proceed to the terminal, 16

How much do you pay for using Wroclaw City Bike? • 0-20 minutes for free! • 21-60 minutes 2 PLN • Every next hour – 4 PLN Other places where you can rent bike: • Cinamon Hostel 8 PLN per hour, 40 PLN whole day 10:00-22:00 ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 67, Wrocław tel. +48 71 344 58 58 www.cinnamonhostel.com • Wypożyczalnia Rowerownia Regular bike – 6 PLN per hour, 50 PLN/day Bike for 6 people – 25 PLN per hour, 100 PLN/day ul. Więzienna 1a, tel. 791-320-927 www.bikerental.com.pl

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Food Where to eat? RESTAURANT & BAR

DETAILS

MIŚ - Milk bar Home-made meal for reasonable price. It is around 2PLN per soup and around 8PLN for whole meal “dinnerware set” (soup + main dish). You can also take away your meal but you need to have your own container for food.

Open: Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm Sat 8am – 5pm Sun closed Address: Kuźnicza Street 48 Phone: (+48) 71 343 49 63

MEWA – milk bar. Cuisine: vegetarian, pancakes, typical Polish cuisine and pierogi. Cheap and tasty

Open: Mon-Fri 7am – 6pm Sat 9am – 4pm Sun closed Address: Drobnera Street 4 Phone: (+48) 71 329 69 07

Open: Mon-Fri 8am – 6pm JACEK I AGATKA Sat 9am – 5pm Another milk bar in the city centre with home made food. Soups – 0,70-1,70 PLN, other meals 2-5 PLN. Address: pl. Nowy Targ 27 Phone: (+48) 71 344 24 55 Misz Masz Every day they offer about 8-10 dinner sets and two soups. Price of soup: 3,50 – 5,80PLN. Students’ Mondays and Fridays: whole meal for 8-9 PLN Dinner set for around 10PLN: pork or chicken + potatoes or French fries + salad

Open: every day 11am – 10pm

BAR WITEK Famous for the best toasts and toasted sandwiches. Also salads and beverages. Toast: 7-10 PLN, toasted sandwich: 6-9 PLN Also take away.

Open: Mon-Fri 10am – 6:30 pm

MKM BISTRO Our canteen, located at WSB, building A. Every day different menu, wide choice of salads. Self service, 2,70 PLN per 100 g. Meal with soup 10-15 PLN. Soup: 2,50 PLN, fresh juices: 6,50 PLN, good coffee.

Open: every day 8am- 4pm

SAWARA GYROS Oriental taste of eastern Mediterranean cuisine: sficha, pita, tortilla, oriental salads and sweet dessert such as mamul or baklava. The best Syrian gyros in Wroclaw! Small portion (gyros+fries+salad+sauce) 9,50 PLN, big portion: 16,00 PLN. Also take away.

Open: Mon-Sat 11am – 9pm Sun 12 pm-9pm Address: Śliczna 7a Phone: (+48) 71 363 76 97 Address: Legnicka17 Phone: (+48) 883-395-986 www. sawara-gyros.pl

Address: Nożownicza Street 14-16 Phone: (+48) 71 343 90 67 www.barmiszmasz.pl

Address: Wita Stwosza 40 Phone: (+48) 71 344 68 40

Address: Fabryczna 29-31 Phone: (+48) 664 764 258

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Food Where to eat? RESTAURANT & BAR

DETAILS

Kuchnia Marche For something completely different, visit this colorful food bazaar where the chefs are at work right in front of you. A bit confusing for the uninitiated, receive a card at the door and get it stamped as you wander the food stations making selections from amongst the Polish, Italian, Asian and Turkish cuisine on hand, before paying upon completion of your meal. Happy hours: reduced price by 25% from 7:30pm-8pm, and 50% after 8pm every day. (10-25PLN)

Open: Mon-Fri 9am – 9pm Sat, Sun 12pm– 9pm

Vega A must-see for all vegetarians. Vega is a large self service restaurant with two floors. On the first floor you get traditional Polish food like bigos, pierogi and gołąbki, all without meat. On the second floor - Asian and Indian food.

Open: Mon-Th 8am – 7pm, Fri 8am – 9pm, Sat 9am – 9pm Sun 9am – 7pm Address: Rynek 27a www.vega-wroclaw.com.pl

Mexico Bar This lovely little Mexican restaurant close to Market Square is always busy and crowded. The interior design (complete with chandelier made of bottles) and the imaginatively painted walls are striking. They offer a wide choice of delicious Mexican dishes like tortillas, burritos, and quesadillas. ( 12-29 PLN)

Open: Sun-Th 12pm – 11pm Fr-Sat 12pm – 12am

Multifood STP A large self-service canteen whose counters come manned with cheerful red clad staff touting sun visors and t-shirts. The dining hall is largely anonymous, but the food - plates of meat and vege - has won a loyal student following. Everything is priced at 3.29PLN per 100 grams, with your bill worked out once you reach the end of the queue. Fast, easy, affordable, good.

Open: Every day 10am – 9pm

Address: Świdnicka Street 53 Phone: (+48) 71 343 95 65 www.marche.com.pl

Address: Rzeźnicza Street 34 Phone: (+48) 71 346 02 92

Address: Kuźnicza Street 10 Additional locations in shopping malls: Magnolia Park, Grunwaldzki Passage, Korona, Marino www.multifoodstp.pl

For a taste of authentic Polish cuisine, such as pierogi and żurek, we recommend visiting restaurants that specialize in what is called “Old-Polish Cuisine”, they are mostly located in the Market Square such as: • Pierogarnia “Stary Młyn” – Rynek 26 • Restaurant “Pod Gryfami” – Rynek 2 • Restaurant “Dwór Polski” - Rynek 5.

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Polish Snacks & Shots A very Polish phenomenon that has swept the country in recent years is the 24-hour snack and shot bar. Known locally as ‘Zakąski Przekąski’ (literally ‘Appetisers & Snacks’), or ‘Polish Tapas’ as it’s been dubbed by some, these trendy, formulaic budget bars cash in on communist nostalgia and the appeal of low prices by offering a small selection of simple, local appetisers (typically served cold) for about 8zł each, with drinks typically fixed at 4zł. Familiar as the bar food of the lean communist years, the menu reads like a list of correct answers to the Jeopardy question ‘Foods that follow vodka’ and typically includes śledź (pickled herring in oil), galaretka (pig trotters in jelly), kiełbasa (sausage), pierogi, pickles and tartare. Ambasada Everything - from beer to whiskey, coffee to Burn energy drink, tartar to herring - costs a slim 5zl coin, making Ambasada so packed at night that you might not even get a glimpse of the slightly upscale interior covered in old travel agency adverts and transatlantic posters. Open: 24hrs. Address: Św. Mikołaja Street 8-11 Bistro Przemysłowe Rather than play up (the now over-played) communist angle, this small locals eatery has a subtle 1920s American theme suggested by Laurel & Hardy films screening on the back wall and the old timey tunes on the stereo. Open: 24hrs. Address: Kurzy Targ Street 3 Głuchy Telefon Głuchy Telefon features telephones installed at each table, enabling guests to drunk dial each other from across the room or call the cutie at the next table without having to do the hard work of getting her number first. We wouldn’t mind using them to phone in our drink order (a 4zł .51 Kozel porter, please); with a barstaff that divides down gender lines between laid back smoker and smokin’ hot babe, the odds aren’t bad. Open: 2pm-6pm Address: Ruska Street 51 Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa Drinks for 4zł and food for 8zł, the atmosphere is lively and if you’re feeling bold you can order the ‘niespodzianka’ (surprise). Open: 24 hrs Address: Market Square 13/14 Przedwojenna Another Zakąski Przekąski bar, Przedwojenna sets itself apart thanks to a great location just off the market square and plenty of atmosphere. Popular throughout the day as well as the night, the food is better than the competitors and Przedwojenna is becoming a Wrocław legend. Open: 24hrs. Address: Św. Mikołaja Street 81 Setka – Bar Polski Ludowej For those who miss the Communist system in Poland and those who simply missed it altogether, Setka (the Polish name for a 100ml glass of hard alcohol) recreates the Spartan simplicity of a Communist bar or diner. Open: 10am-6am Adress: Kazimierza Wielkiego Street 50a www.setkabar.pl Łubu Dubu Bistro Much like Setka on the other side of the Old Town, Łubu Dubu is a celebratory throwback to Communism, but with a little more pop music and modern styling. The prices are certainly of the area. Open: 12am-6am Adress: Odrzańska Street 24-29 19

Attractions in Wrocław Niepolda Pasage – Place close to Rynek (Market Square) where you can find plenty of clubs and pubs. Each one with different atmosphere and music. Open 7 days a week!

NAME Szajba This cozy place is a mix of pub and art gallery. You can go there for lunch and coffee during a day or in the evening pop out with friends for a drink. Beer- 8PLN, Tortilla- 14PLN. Opening hours: 9am - 2am Address: Św. Antoniego Street 2-4 Schody Donikąd (Stairs to nowhere) Pub with retro atmosphere of 20s’. Life music, old furniture and best beer. Beer – 7PLN, shot – 5PLN Opening hours: 14pm Address: Solny Square 13 Casa de la Musica If you love Cubans style, dancing salsa and smoking cigars Casa de la Musica is a place that will quickly become your second home created with you in mind, it is also a tribute to Cuba before communism, its wonderful history, people, musicians and all the important figures who contributed to the building of the pre-revolutionary power in the region. If you want to learn how to dance salsa you can join classes, which are every day from Wednesday to Saturday at 9pm. It’s free of charge. Have fun! Address: Market Square 11/12 Słodkie Czary Mary It is an unique candy shop in the heart of Wroclaw. Sounds like your childhood dreams ? Exactly! Let’s remind those moments and imagine sweets from the childhood. Even more you have the chance to see the magic procedure of forming caramel into sweets and become the confectioner. Demonstration starts at 3pm, 4pm, 5 pm weekdays. Entrance costs only 8PLN. IMPORTANT! Each person can take home a lollipop created by himself! Address: Szewska Street 27-27a The City Zoological Garden in Wrocław The oldest Zoo in Poland with the largest collection of animals. It’s good to plan there at least 4 hours for sightseeing. Opening hours: 9am - 5pm Ticket price: 30PLN normal, 25PLN student (during winter it’s cheaper). Address: Wróblewskiego Street 1-5 (opposite to the Centannian Hall and Multimedia Fountain) www.zoo.wroclaw.pl

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Wroclaw Multimedia Fountain Wroclaw’s latest attraction. and a must-see. Situated next to the Centennial Hall (Hala Ludowa). Within a walking distance from the Fountain there are: the Centennial Hall, Japanese Gardens, Szczytnicki Park and the Wroclaw Zoo. Open from April till October, 10am-10pm. Each full hour there’s a special show with music (in the evening also with lights). There are also special laser displays, in weekend or holidays. Address: Wystawowa Street 1 www.wroclawskafontanna.pl Wroclaw Water Park The perfect place to have fun! Recreational pools, with Jacuzzi, wild river, kids pool and of course slides, sports pool, fitness and wellness centers, many saunas - all you can find in one place. Open every day, 9am-10:40pm Price: from 30PLN/ per person, all day. Address: Borowska Street 99 www.aquapark.wroc.pl Adrenalina Park 12 hectares of adventures for extreme lovers: line park, quads, paintball, tyrolean traverse, zorbing etc. Open from 20th April, 11am-8pm, not every day (check on website). Price: entrance free, you pay for each attraction Park Localization: Sokolniki, near Kąty Wrocławskie (outskirts of Wroclaw) www.adrenalina-park.pl Ostrów Tumski The oldest part of the city of Wroclaw also the most beautiful and magic place in Wroclaw. This ‘Cathedral Island’ within easy walking distance northeast of the market square was the first part of Wroclaw to be settled by Slavic tribes in the 9th century. For more like clubs, cinemas, sport please check out InfoLink - dedicated to foreigners living in Wroclaw: www.infolink.wroclaw.pl

Safety and regulations Drinking in public places In Poland, it is prohibited to drink alcohol in public places, with the exception of properly licensed designated places, such as bars, restaurants, open air café gardens, etc. Drinking & driving In Poland, the legal limit of blood alcohol content is 20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. Driving while under the influence of alcohol (between 20 mg and 50 mg) is an offence punishable by a fine. Driving while being above the 50 mg limit is a serious offence which leads to criminal conviction and possible seizure of the vehicle. Offenders face a possibility of immediate arrest and up to two years’ imprisonment. Driving a car Headlights All vehicles are required to use headlights, night day and all year round. Seatbelts The use of seat belts is compulsory for front and rear-seat passengers.

Speed limits • 50km/h in built-up areas. Entry into a built-up area is marked with a white rectangular sign with the name of the town or a similar sign showing urban skyline in black; the exit point is marked with an identical sign with a red diagonal stripe. • 90km/h outside built-up areas • 100km/h on A-class roads (marked with a white car on blue background sign) • 130km/h on motorways If you drive 50 km/h faster than the limit in built-up area and the Police caught you, you will lose your driving licence! In Poland, possession of any kind of drugs is forbidden! Emergency numbers in Poland: 112 Emergency number (use for any kind of emergency when you are calling from cell phone) 999 Ambulance 998 Fire department 997 Police We hope that you won’t have to dial the numbers above during your study in Poland 

Wish you a great experience and fruitful time at Wroclaw School of Banking! 21

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