Miasto Stoleczne Warszawa

Andrew Haggard, USA (Ohio) student of International Relations, sapphirethevarsovian@gmail.com
I chose Warsaw by accident. I wanted to study in Łódź. But I figured out that Warsaw has better opportunities for job and entertainments like culture events. I think it was a good choice. It is even a little better than I thought it will be. There are more things to spend time on like Zoo, museums. It is also bad side –Bureaucracy. Much more papers than I thought. I don’t regret studying in Warsaw, because I can see my field of study, International Relations,   better than most people in their home towns could.  I would recommend Warsaw as a place to study because of parks (I like going outside and Warsaw has many of them) and history. The capital city is rebuilt with no help from outside. Also I like atmosphere in here. Warsaw is a new European capital. It is formulating itself. People are easy going, mostly friendly – it is becoming multicultural. Warsaw should have more international people in here. They could bring some new ideas to Warsaw. Interesting is living as a student in Warsaw – great seminars, great concerts, film festivals and clubs. And the beer is cheap.
Opinion of Andrew about the website e-Warsaw:
•    I used it before
•    Don’t put too much information
•    Don’t link to the studyinwarsaw.org, only to official government’s websites
•    Check opinions about studying in Poland on warsawvoice.pl
•    Very important cultural shock:
    a.    During holidays in Poland shops are normally closed or work differently. Poles also celebrate mostly name days, rather official than birthday
    b.    Shops are open different times in the weekend. Check the website of the mall before you go. But it is changing in Warsaw.
    c.    Paying for toilet in some restaurant or bars might be annoying for foreigners
    d.    In Poland you may leave tip if you liked service, only. Usually about 10% of bill.
    e.    Post office is very important place – you pay there even for your bills.
    f.    Students should wear formal clothes during exams
    g.    Teacher may be late about 15 minutes for class. Student must not
    h.    The customer is always wrong in Polish shop.
    i.    Bureaucracy – many papers
    j.    You’d better not be in hurry when you eat in the restaurant. The service is usually very busy. You may wait for meal as long as for bill.
    k.    Use cash as usual as you can.
    l.    Remember you have different culture and your jokes can be misunderstood.
    m.    The variety of food is not that wide. There are only pierogi and kebab everywhere.
    n.    Poles don’t throw the bread away. They put it on the trash for homeless people. Try to do the same if you don’t want anyone to shout at you.