AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS TRAVEL REPORT Warsaw School of Economics, Fall 2013 k90708
Table of Contents 1. Preparing for the exchange... 1 2. Exchange studies at SGH... 2 2.1. Starting and ending dates of the terms... 3 2.2. Course Offer... 3 2.3. My courses at SGH... 4 3. Living in Warsaw... 5 3.1. Accommodation... 5 3.2. Costs of Living... 6 3.2. Free time activities... 7 3.4. Traveling in Poland... 8 4. Final Comments... 8 I spent fall/winter semester 2013 studying at Warsaw University School of Economics (Szkoła Główna Handlowa w Warszawie, SGH) as an exchange student. As I already did an Erasmus semester abroad during my Bachelor s studies, this exchange was not anymore an Erasmus but an exchange through a bilateral agreement between Aalto University and SGH. Therefore, I did not have to fill all the documents required for Erasmus students. In this travel report, I will talk about my study experience abroad and describe the host university and living in Poland in general. Firstly, I will briefly describe the necessary preparation procedures. Secondly, I will give a more detailed presentation of my studies during the exchange semester. Thirdly, I will present general information on living and studying in Poland. Finally, I will describe my personal study experience and learnings gained during the exchange. 1. Preparing for the exchange After applying for an exchange for the academic year 2013-2014 and accomplishing all the necessary procedures required by Aalto, I was selected to do my exchange at Warsaw School of Economics, Poland, during the fall semester 2013. SGH International Student Officer contacted me via e-mail soon after that and sent me more information concerning the school and all the formalities I was required to accomplish before the start of my exchange semester. To confirm my attendance I had to fill SGH s online application, print it out and send it via mail together with 1
several passport sized pictures. After the officer received my application, she confirmed that I was accepted as an exchange student on SGH s behalf too. The next e-mail I received was about course selection procedures and dormitory accommodation. The application to the dormitory should be done immediately after receiving this message because rooms are assigned first-come, first-served basis. The courses at SGH should also be selected in advance through a personal account on Virtual Dean s Office, an online platform used by SGH, though the chosen courses could be changed upon arrival. A new Learning Agreement has to be filled and approved by home university if any changes are made. When the final confirmation of the acceptance was received, it was time to start looking for cheap flights. Finnair, as well as some low-cost companies, fly from Helsinki-Vantaa to Warsaw s Chopin Airport, located about 10 kilometers from the city centre. You can find direct flights with less than 200 euros. Well before the semester starts, SGH assigns each exchange student a Polish buddy whose task is to assist you with all the issues connected for example to your arrival in Warsaw, accommodation and studies at SGH. My buddy contacted me two months before the beginning of the semester. It is advisable to start looking for accommodation one month before your arrival. Contact your buddy earlier so that she/he can start looking for a flat for you already before. As Poland is a part of the European Union, visa was not required. Thus, only Eurooppalainen sairaanhoitokortti and travel insurance should be obtained before departure. 2. Exchange studies at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, founded in 1906, is the leading school of economics and business in Poland. It comprises five departments: International Economics, Management, International Business, Finance and Accounting, and Quantitative Methods in Economics and Information Systems. Currently, there are ca. 10,000 Bachelor s degree and Master s degree students and ca. 6500 PhD and postgraduate students at SGH. 2
2.1. Starting and ending dates of the terms The academic year at SGH, as in other Polish universities, is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Fall/Winter semester starts in the beginning of October and ends in the beginning of February with a two-week Christmas break. Spring semester starts in the end of February and lasts until the end of June with a one-week Easter break. Both winter and spring semesters are immediately followed by an examination period. For all exchange students, SGH offers a compulsory three-day orientation period right before the beginning of each semester which means that you are required to arrive to Poland already in the end of September or in mid-february depending on your exchange semester. Daytime activities include campus and city tours as well as meetings with representatives of school s management and Income Student Officers. During these days, you will be provided general knowledge about Poland and SGH. Additionally, there are a lot of evening activities and parties organized by ESN throughout the Orientation Week. I strongly advice taking a part of these optional activities too as it is a great opportunity to meet your fellow exchange students. 2.2. Course Offer SGH offers nearly 300 courses annually both for Bachelor and Master students. There is also a wide selection of courses taught in English. However, not that many Polish students attend these classes as they have to pay for courses taught in a foreign language. Therefore, you should be prepared to study mainly with other exchange students. The school is clearly specialize in teaching economics and finance so there are only a limited number of courses taught in English from other field of studies (e.g. management and marketing). If you are interested in learning more about the business environment in Central and Eastern Europe, there are several courses offered for exchange students by the faculty of International Business. Additionally, SGH offers both beginning and intermediate level courses of Polish language. All exchange students are expected to take a full 30 ECTS credit workload for each semester unless their home institution explicitly exempts them from this requirement. Thus, as a Master student from Aalto, I was able to take fewer courses and accomplish only 24 ECTS during my exchange. 3
Of course, exchange students are allowed to register for more courses than the minimum requirement states. Students are required to choose courses that corresponds their level of studies. The International Student Office sends all the information regarding both courses offered in English and in Polish well before arrival and exchange students are required to make their preliminary course selection already around two months before the start of the exchange semester. However, changes to schedule can be made during a two-week period in the beginning of the semester. 2.3. My courses at SGH Typically courses at SGH are 3 ECTS which is equivalent to 30 hours of studying (one two-hour lecture per week). Assessment criteria and attendance policies vary from course to course. None of the courses I took required buying a text book. During my exchange, I did the following graduate level courses: 232261-0385 Business Environment in Central and Eastern Europe, 3 ECTS, dr hab. Bogdan Mróz The course aims at providing students with necessary knowledge, statistical data, latest research findings and other useful information regarding the economies of CEE countries. Several representatives of Polish business life visit lectures as guest speakers. Final assessment depends on the grades of a group presentation and a written exam. The course is very interesting. 231091-1057 Process of Motivating Employees, 3ECTS, dr Marzena Fryczyńska The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the newest worldwide tendencies and solutions in the area of motivating employees as well as the compensation and benefits best practices in companies. This is a very interesting course with an inspiring teacher who tries to enhance interaction during lectures. Final grade is a combination of class attendance and participation points, a presentation, several small case studies and a written examination. I highly recommend this course. 222451-0006 Poland in the European Union, 3ECTS, dr hab. Adam A. Ambroziak Generally speaking, the course tries to give a picture of Poland as a member of the European Union focusing on for example on Poland's accession negotiations, lobbing of Poland's matters in the EU institutions and implementation of common policy in different areas in Poland. The professor tries to stimulate in-class discussion with students. Although class attendance is not compulsory, I highly recommend participating in the lectures and taking notes as the questions for the final written exam 4
are from topics discussed in class. The course is assessed based on a written exam. Overall the course did not meet my expectations, but it was easy to pass. 232651-0699 Mergers and Acquisitions of Enterprises, 3ECTS, dr Mariusz Jan Radło During the lectures students learn about the processes of mergers and acquisitions that change significantly the capital ownership structure in the economy. Class attendance is required and the course is assessed based on a group presentation and a written multiply choice exam. The course is quite easy to pass. 233411-0116 Marketing of Tourism and Recreational Services, 3ECTS, dr hab. Ewa Dziedzic Course contents cover a wide range of issues concerning the implementation of marketing concepts in tourism. No class attendance is required. The only assessment method is a short written assignment. I did no learn anything new during the course and therefore I cannot recommend it. 234041-0995 Advanced Investment Banking, 6ECTS, dr Piotr Wiśniewski The course gives an overview of the investment banking industry focusing especially on products which are classical for investment banking such as LBO, IPO, M&A, Private banking, new tendencies in investment banking, alternative investments and Islamic finance. The course is very demanding so I recommend it only for students with strong finance background. The professor is really good. No compulsory class attendance. The course is graded based on a written multiply choice exam. 236200-0961 Polish for Foreigners -Beginning Polish (CNJO), 4ECTS, mgr Danuta Jelonkiewicz It is an introductory course to Polish language and culture for exchange students. I recommend taking this course as knowing the basics of Polish language really helps in everyday life. The teacher is very nice. The course is easy to pass. 3. Living in Warsaw 3.1. Accommodation Finding an accommodation in Warsaw is relatively easy although most of the housing ads online are in Polish. There are several room and apartment offers for example on Facebook group for exchange students in Warsaw. Similarly, many people are looking for flat mates there. In general, 5
there are two main housing options for exchange students: on-campus accommodation and offcampus accommodation. On-campus accommodation: SGH offers a limited number of rooms to exchange students for one or two semesters. A recently renovated Sabinki dormitory locates just five minutes walk from the main school and semester rent for accommodation there is around 1,900zl. With this price, you get a fully-furnished double room which you share with another exchange student. However, it is very hard to get a spot in the dormitory if one comes from Europe. Rooms are assigned on first-come first-served basis. Thus, I would advise you to apply for a room immediately when the application period starts. Off-campus accommodation: Only few people decide to rent a flat alone. It is more common, an in my opinion a lot more fun, to rent a bigger flat with other exchange students or with Polish students. As already stated, Facebook is a good way to find an apartment and get in touch with other students. Many exchange students, including me, got a lot of help from their Buddies when they were looking for a flat. There are plenty of bigger apartments available near SGH in Mokotow area and in the city centre. Try to look for apartments in these areas near metro or tram stops. Most students I know paid between 800zl and 1400zl for their rooms in shared flats. I was lucky and got a room with my buddy s help in a modern shared flat with two Polish flat mates. The apartment was located next to Racławicka metro station just 10 minutes walk from SGH. I had an own room with 900zl. Additionally, I paid 20zl per month for electricity and internet. 3.2. Costs of Living The costs of living in Poland, especially in Warsaw, have been rising since the country joined the EU but prices are still low compared to Finland and most of the Western European countries. Poland still uses its own currency złoty (1 is roughly 4zl) but in most shops you can also choose to pay in Euros if you pay with a card. Debit/Credit card is accepted almost everywhere but it is always good to carry some cash if you plan to go to some smaller pubs or take a taxi. Both food and transportation are very cheap in Warsaw and even cheaper in other parts of the country. In a supermarket, you can expect to pay around half or one third of the Finnish food prices. In a restaurant, you can have a good meal with less than 20zl (3-5 ). A three-month travel card for a student costs 125zl and a monthly card 50zl. Taxes with numbers are in general a safe and cheap option to travel around Warsaw also during the night time. A taxi from SGH to the airport is less 6
than 30zl and to the centrum around 15-20zl. Moreover, trains and busses are convenient and inexpensive ways to travel around Poland. There are no school fees, but SGH student card is subject to the payment of 17zl and ESN membership card 20zl. 3.2. Free time activities Although Warsaw is not really a city for tourist, a student life there is vibrant. It is no wonder because there are more than 250,000 university students in Warsaw. There are dozens of museums, art galleries and theatres, hundreds of historic sites, various parks, a Zoo, and countless of cozy clubs and bars. With friends, I recommend going to movies (student price <20zl, all the movie are screened in original version with Polish subtitles) or visiting one of my favorite museums such as the Warsaw Rising Museum, the Royal Palace or Copernicus Science Centre. Warsaw s Old Town is well worth a visit as is the Praga district on the other side of the Vistula River. Although some people say that some parts of Praga are dangerous, I have never felt unsafe there. The best way to get to know your fellow exchange students is to be active and take a part of all the activities organized by student organization ESN from the beginning of the semester. SGH s ESN is super active there were at least one organized activity per week. Among other things, ESN organized a sushi buffet, a Laser tag, a paintball war, a movie night and several theme parties. Additionally, ESN organized trips to Krakow, Poznan and Gdansk during the semester. I strongly encourage all the exchange students to take a part of those trips because they include several activities that you cannot do alone. Among Erasmus students, Warsaw is also well known of its night life. There are clubs and pubs to all tastes. Irish pubs like Molly Malone s near the Old Town and Champion s bar next to the Palace of Culture and Science are places to have a beer and watch football. In turn, Pawilony next to Nowy Swiat with several cozy bars is a place to relax and have a drink. If you want to go clubbing, for example Klubokawarnia, Opera and Foksal can be recommended. And there are no Wednesdays without SGH s own club Park situated a couple of minutes away from the main building. Of course, Warsaw offers a lot of possibilities to do sports. Among other things, Calypso gym has a student discount for SGH students. 7
3.4. Traveling in Poland Travelling around Warsaw and Poland is facilitated both by an extensive network of public transportation and private companies. In Warsaw, the fastest means of transportation is the metro which runs approximately every 3-6 minutes between 5AM and 11 PM and on weekends until 3AM. Trams and busses are convenient ways to travel too. City nigh busses run from 11.15PM until 4.30AM. You can reach all the main attractions by public transportation. The must-see cities and attraction in Poland include Krakow, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw. Additionally, Zkopane is a great destination during the winter and Masuria region during the spring and summer. However, if you want to explore the real Poland, you should also take a detour and visit some smaller cities on your way. As roads in Poland are still in quite a bad shape and there are not that many motorways, I recommend traveling by train or bus. Among other companies, PolskiBus (http://www.polskibus.com/en) drives from Warsaw to all the main cities in Poland. Prices are affordable and they offer a free WIFI on board. Poland is also a great exchange destination if you want to travel cheaply in Central and Eastern Europe. For example, I did a road trip Bratislava-Budapest-Vienna-Prague by busses and trains and spend less than 150 euros on tickets. PolskiBus was again the cheapest option: a one-way ticket from Warsaw to Berlin, Prague or Bratislava costs less than 25 euros. 4. Final Comments If I had had an opportunity to study at SGH for one more semester, I would not have thought the answer twice. I absolutely loved my student exchange in Warsaw. Thus, I warmly recommend Poland as an exchange destination to all my fellow students from Aalto University. In general, the quality of teaching at SGH was not as high as it is at Aalto University. However, I feel that my studies at SGH gave me an opportunity to deepen my knowledge in those fields of business which I have not studied enough in Finland. Among other things, I deepened my knowledge in finance and marketing. Additionally, SGH offered me a chance to take courses focusing on business environment and business strategies in Central and Eastern European countries. Being especially interested in business possibilities in Eastern Europe and being a student 8
at The National Russian and East European Studies Master s School, I know that I have a chance to apply the knowledge gained through my studies in Poland into practice in the future. Although this exchange was not my first one, I can still say that staying in Poland was really beneficial regarding my cultural skills. Polish culture was somewhat unknown for me and therefore I was expecting an exchange semester in a culture that is very Eastern European. However, my stay definitely broke all my prejudices against Poland and Polish people. Living together with two Polish young men was not always easy, but thanks to that experience, I got a lot of inside knowledge of Polish customs and traditions. Moreover, it was interesting to observe all the cultural differences between Finnish and Polish people. Based on my experiences, Poles seem to be warmer, livelier and incredibly polite compared to Finns. At the same time, most of them are relatively religious which clearly affects their behavior. Of course, my personal skills improved as well. Being the only Finnish exchange student at SGH, I had to be active and often take the first step to speak both with other exchange students and Polish students. I feel that it helped me to improve my communication and English language skills remarkably. It was also beneficial to meet people from all around the world, as I was able to exchange ideas and learn from their cultures too. All in all, I became more open-minded and more self-confident person with stronger social skills and higher resistance to stress during those five months I spent studying in Warsaw. 9