Formalities

VISA

If you are an EU / EEA student, you only need your ID document (e.g. identity card or passport) to enter Poland.
However, for stays exceeding 3 months you must obtain a temporary residence permit at local province administration office (Urząd Wojewódzki). For that you will need to submit specific required documents and in return you will receive a document confirming your right of residence in Poland.
Documents required for obtaining the right of residence are:

• passport
• European Health Insurance Card (EKUZ card), or other Insurance polisy
• Confirmation of financial means (minimum 150 Euro per month)
• Confirmation of temporary registration issued by local government offices of the place of residence (for example Student's Dormitory).
• letter from the Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biala Podlaska confirming studying within the Erasmus+ programme.

Students from non-EU countries may be required to have a visa, (consult an appropriate embassy or consulate), a copy of which should be shown to our office upon arrival. A short-term visa entitles you to stay in Poland for up to 3 months; a long-term visa – up to 1 year.

MEDICAL CARE

Students who are citizens of EU countries, studying in Poland, have the same right to medical treatment as Polish students, if they have valid medical insurance in their country. This means they can use medical help free of charge.
They must, however, have the European Health Insurance Card (EKUZ), which they must present during their visit at the doctor or in hospital.

Students coming from outside the EU should buy insurance policy. For health care insurance for foreign students of EU and other countries visit: www.nfz.gov.pl.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Academic year in Poland is divided into two semesters of approx. 15 weeks each – winter and summer semester.
Winter semester starts in October and ends in late-January/early-February. There is a break for Christmas holidays which lasts about ten days.
Summer semester starts in mid February and ends in June. There is a one week break for Easter.

GRADING SYSTEM AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL

2.0 - unsatisfactory (niedostateczny) – 0–50%
3.0 - satisfactory (dostateczny) – 51–60%
3.5 - satisfactory plus (dostateczny plus) – 61–70%
4.0 - good (dobry) – 71–80%
4.5 - good plus (dobry plus) – 81–90%
5.0 - very good (bardzo dobry) – 91–100%
zal. - zaliczony (passed)
nzal. - niezaliczony (not passed)

The scores corresponding to each grade vary greatly from institution to institution and from course to course, but usually a score of 50% or 51% is required to obtain the lowest passing grade (3.0).
The notations zal. and nzal. are used when the course only requires attendance and/or is less important.

STUDENT's ID

In order to receive a Student ID, each student should deliver his/her ID photo on a CD to the office and pay the fee for issuing the ID. Student ID gives the right to get discounts on the puclic transport (buses, traines) as well as in certain museums, clubs, restaurants, etc.

TRANSPORT IN THE CITY

Public transport system in Biała Podlaska (MZK) includes buses only. Most of the bus lines are regular (exept lines P and T - they run just a few courses at the weekends), with buses stopping at all of their stops.
The basic bus fares are 2,80 PLN (normal) and 1,40 PLN (reduced). You may buy them in small news-stands (KIOSK) which are usually open till 6 p.m.
However, in the MZK office (Kraszewskiego 12 street), you can buy Biala Podlaska Transport Card and top-up it with 3-month pass for 60 PLN for all bus lines.

If you choose to use a TAXI, it is recommended to take one of the licensed corporations, such as:

• MPT TAXI - +48 (83)342-09-19
• METRO TaXI - +48 (83)342-55-57
• PODLASIE TAXI - +48 (83)343-96-21

The entry fee is 5 PLN. The fee for each 'km' varies in day tariff (6-22) and night tarrif (22-6). It is either 2 PLN or 3 PLN

BANK HOLIDAYS IN POLAND

1st January - New Year's Day (Nowy Rok)
6th January - Epiphany (Święto Trzech Króli)
Sunday in Spring (movable) - Easter Sunday (Niedziela Wielkanocna) - in 2017 - 16th April
Monday following Easter Sunday - Easter Monday (Poniedziałek Wielkanocny) - in 2017 - 17th April
1st May - May Day - (Święto Pracy)
3rd May - Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji Trzeciego Maja)
9th Thursday after Easter - Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało)
15th August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Wniebowzięcie Najswiętszej Maryi Panny)
1st November - All Saint's Day (Wszystkich Świętych)
11th November - Independence Day (Dzień Niepodległości)
25th December - Christmas Day (pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia)
26th December - Boxing Day (drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia)

CURRENCY AND MONEY IN POLAND

The currency of Poland is Polish Zloty, which literally means 'golden'. The currency code for Zlotych is PLN, and the currency symbol is zł. The modern zloty is subdivided into 100 groszy (1 zł = 100 gr).

• Coins: 1zł, 2zł, 5zł, 1gr, 2gr, 5gr, 10gr, 20gr, 50gr
• Banknotes: 10zł, 20zł, 50zł, 100zł, 200zł

All major foreign currencies may be exchanged for Polish Zloty at a bank or exchanche counter (identified by the name Kantor). Kantors are usually open from 10A.M. to 6P.M. weekdays and until 2P.M. on Saturdays.
Curent exchange rates (January 2017): 1EUR - 4,35PLN; 1USD - 4,08 PLN; 1GBP - 5,05PLN
In Poland, ATM's (Cash dispensers), which operate 24 hours a day, offer far easier access to your money than banks. They can normally be found near such places as banks, rail stations, airports, supermarkets, town centres and other places popular with visitors.

SHOPPING

Most of the local grocery shops are open from Monday to Friday from 6A.M. till 10P.M. On Saturdays they are usually open from 6A.M. till 6P.M. On Sunday, either they are closed, or open from 6A.M. till 2P.M.
Bigger shops, shoping mall, supermarkets are open 7 days a week, for example:
from 9A.M - 8P.M Monday-Saturday, 9A.M. - 5P.M. (Rywal)
from 7A.M. - 9/10P.M. Monday-Saturday, 9A.M. – 8/9P.M. Sunday (Biedronka, Lidl)
from 8A.M. - 10P.M. Monday-Saturday, 7A.M. - 9P.M. sunday (Carrefour)
from 7A.M. - 10P.M. Monday-Satuday, 7A.M. - 8P.M. (Kaufland)

COSTS OF FOOD PRODUCTS IN BIALA PODLASKA

loaf of bread - approx. 2,70 PLN
roll - 0,40 PLN
milk (1l) - 2,60 PLN
egg (1) - 0,35 PLN
corn flakes (250g) - 3,70 PLN
yoghurt (150ml) - 1,50 PLN
butter (cube) - 4,50 PLN
jam - 4 PLN
cheese (1kg) - 19 PLN
cottage cheese (200g) - 1,80 PLN
ham (1kg) - 20 PLN
sausage (1kg) - 13 PLN
chicken breast (1kg) - 14 PLN
rice - (400g) - 3,80 PLN
pasta - (400g) - 3,80 PLN
tea - (100 tea bags) - 17 PLN
coffee - (200g) - 16 PLN
sugar (1kg) - 3,50 PLN
milk chocolate (100g) - 3,15 PLN
orange juice (1l) - 4,0 PLN
beer (0,5l) - 3,20 PLN
soda (1l) - 3,85 PLN