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Dear Readers
We are happy to present a guide to Wrocław and the Wrocław Medical
University. Hopefully, our guide will encourage you to visit Poland,
Wrocław and our university. As one of the most interesting cities
on the Polish map, Wrocław is a significant academic centre
in the country. There are over 100,000 students in the city, with almost
10,000 from abroad. In addition to basic information about Poland,
Wrocław and the University, the guide includes some tips to help you
prepare for your arrival in Poland, find your feet in the city and deal
with student affairs and organisational issues.
We hope that you will find the content in this guide useful and that its
contents will make you feel at home in Wrocław and the our University.
See you there!
International Relations Office of the Wrocław Medical University

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LIST OF CONTENTS:

1. University
2. Student affairs
2.1. Submitting original documents
2.2. Participating in university events
2.3. Checking in at the dormitories
2.4. Registering at the City Hall
2.5. Visiting the dean’s office
2.6. Student e-mail
2.7. Creating an account in the BAZUS system
2.8. Payment of the student card fee
2.9. eLegitymacja and mStudent – applications for students
3. Organising your stay
3.1. Polish telephone number
3.2. Permission and legalisation of stay
3.3. Legalising your stay - non-EU citizens
3.4. Insurance and health care
3.5. Bank account
3.6. Travelling around Wrocław
3.7. Travelling in Poland
4. Scholarships and services
4.1. Scholarships
4.2. Dormitories and guest houses
4.3. University canteen

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5. Support for students
5.1. Welcome Centre
5.2. Students with disabilities
6. Life in Poland
6.1. Basic information about Poland
6.2. National holidays
6.3. Polish cuisine
6.4. Safety
7. Life in Wrocław
7.1. History and tourist attractions
7.2. Religious organisations
7.3. Supermarkets
7.4. Shopping centres and places to order food
7.5. Cinemas, theatres and music
7.6. Museums and botanical gardens
7.7. Sport
7.8. Student life
8. Transport
8.1. Airlines
8.2. Buses
8.3. Trains
8.4. Airport transfer
9. Additional information
9.1. Costs of living
9.2. Emergency contact

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1. University

In 1950, 2109 students – future doctors, dentists and pharmacists –

studied within our walls. At present, the Wrocław Medical University
educates more than 6,000 students in medicine and dentistry,
pharmacy, medical analysis, nursing, midwifery, medical emergency,
physiotherapy, dietetics and public health, in addition to doctoral
and postgraduate courses.

We aim to provide our students with the best possible conditions

for learning and development, which the Centre of Medical Simulation
has significantly expanded. Future pharmacists and analysts take
classes in the high-end laboratories of the Faculty of Pharmacy, while
paramedics perfect their skills using virtual reality. Students prepare
for the practice of working with patients at the University’s Clinical
Hospital, ranked among some of the largest and most modern clinical
facilities in Poland.

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The Wrocław Medical University
is also successful in gaining a
prominent position in globally
recognised university rankings.

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2. Student affairs

2.1. Submitting original documents

Required documents to be submitted to the

Admissions Office
● Passport and visa,
● Secondary school diploma with a list of grades -
one that qualifies the candidate for higher
education at the university level in the country
of issue,
● Translation of secondary school graduation
certificate and transcript of marks into Polish –
if original documents are in English, translation
into Polish may be submitted after receiving the
conditional admission decision,
● English language certificate – if your native
language is not English, e.g. IELTS, TOEFL,
● Copy of passport or other identity document,
● Application form – signed by the candidate,
● Medical note confirming the ability to study in
the chosen field (if required),
● Health and accident insurance,
● Confirmation of payment for the first semester
of study made after admission,

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● Certificate from the National Criminal Register (KRK) and
signed Appendix 1 to the application – for more information:
https://www.umw.edu.pl/pl/aktualnosci/new-statutory-
obligation-students-0 [access: 26.07.2024]

The current course offer may be found at: https://www.umw.edu.pl/

pl/dla-nowo-przyjetych-studentow/wskazowki-dla-poszczegolnych-
wydzialow [access: 26.07.2024].

2.2. Participation in university events

There are many events organized at the university to help familiarize

themselves with the institution, so prospective students are eager to
attend such events as: Welcome Days, Orientation Week (Erasmus+),
academic year inauguration, faculty matriculation and organizational
meetings with the year supervisor.

2.3. Checking in at the dormitories

Persons who have been allocated a place in a student residence for a

given academic year are required to report to the Student Residence
Section for accommodation by the deadline listed on the website:
https://www.umw.edu.pl/pl/jednostki/dzial-spraw-studenckich
[access: 26.07.2024].

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The following documents must be present at the time of
accommodation:
● current identity document;
● if applicable, student identity card or university admission decision;
● a photograph for the resident's card, 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm;
● confirmation of payment of rent (applies to residents who have
individual bank accounts generated by UMW).

2.4. Registering at the Town Hall

information desk
At the Town Hall you will receive
a form for temporary residence
registration. Once received and
completed, you will be given your
PESEL personal identification
number (if you are over 18).

2.5. Visiting the dean’s office

When you visit the dean's office, you can receive additional
information about the organisation of the academic year and
the study programme.

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2.6. Student e-mail

E-MAIL
Our e-mail is a web-based service
for students at the University.
It is used to communicate with
academics, the dean’s office
and other WMU staff. The use
of e-mail is the right and
responsibility of every student.
This system allows you to use your
e-mail anywhere with an Internet connection
and a web browser. The rules for using the e-mail system are governed
by the Order of the Rector of the Medical University 4/XV R/2012, as
amended.

ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL SERVICE:

https://student.umw.edu.pl/ [access: 26.07.2024]
You must have an active CSA account to log in to your e-mail account.
Problems with e-mail operation should be reported via the e-potrzeby
portal, via e-mail to [email protected] or directly to 784 11 11

ACCESS TO TEAMS (OFFICE 365)

As part of university work, every student has access to the MS Office365
portal. To log in to MS Teams or download the MS Teams app, please
visit:

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www.microsoft.com/pl-pl/microsoft-teams/log-in [access: 26.07.2024]
If you have any questions or need support in setting up your Office
365 account, or if you encounter any other difficulties, please contact
us at [email protected].
NOTE: Please only contact us from your student e-mail address:
@student.umw.edu.pl.

2.7. Creating an account in the BAZUS system

You should register an account yourself on the Central System of

Authorization (CSA) website:
https://csa.umw.edu.pl/
[access: 26.07.2024].

Once you have correctly filled in the form, you will receive a unique
personal identifier (login) and your account will immediately become
active. Without any further steps, you can use the services authorised
with the CSA access. If you have any problems with the functioning of

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the system, or if you are unable to register an account, please contact
the IT Centre on 71 784 11 11.
Now, you should change your password. The account password is
changed based on the student’s data, i.e. name, surname, and PESEL
number.

Once you have selected the Students and Doctoral Students tab and
then Change Password, complete the form and click the CHANGE
PASSWORD button.

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BAZUS (Virtual University):
Students at the Wrocław Medical University have the opportunity
to log into their account via the website and view their data, check
account numbers, grades received and entered, study history,
personal data, subjects enrolled, etc. An account in the virtual
university also allows students to personally enrol in elective
courses – the ability to use this function, however, depends
on the dean’s office.
Login page address:
https://wu.umw.edu.pl (hereinafter referred to as WU)
[access: 26.07.2024].

University Cloud
Every student has access to the University’s Cloud service, where they
can store and share files. The available memory for each student is
1GB.
The website is available at:
student.cloud.umw.edu.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

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To log in, use the CSA account you have created
Problems with the functioning of the cloud should be reported via the
e-potrzeby portal or by e-mail to [email protected]

Acces to eduroam
The “eduroam” service is being launched at the Wrocław Medical
University to allow employees and students wireless Internet access
within the WMU area. In addition, as part of the account set up at the
Medical University, it is also possible to access this network at many
universities around the world as part of a university-wide project.
Homepage: eduroam.umw.edu.pl [access: 31.07.2024].

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2.8. Payment of the student card fee

To obtain the student card, students pay a fee of PLN 22 to their

individual bank account number shown on the contract.

2.9. eLegitymacja and mStudent –

applications for students

The mLegitymacja for WMU students is

available on the mObywatel app. This is a
student ID card on your phone that works just
like a traditional document. You can show it
on your phone and confirm your student
status and benefit from discounts and
exemptions. mLegitymacja can be issued
for students who hold a valid student
ID and Polish citizenship, obtainable via
the website:
https://mlegitymacja.umw.edu.pl/
[access: 26.07.2024].

Along with mLegitymacja, a mobile application,

mStudent, has also been launched. Both are available on Google
Play and App Store. The app allows you to quickly check essential
information without having to log in to the Virtual University.

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The English version has been prepared for English Division students.

Within the application, you can check:

● information on your personal data included in the Bazus system,
● grades (including the average of your studies),
● course of study,
● information on scholarships.

WMU students and staff are also able to use the Eduroam wireless
network in the John Paul II Hall at the University’s Clinical Hospital
(ul. Borowska 213).

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3. Stay

3.1. Polish telephone number

If you plan to use a Polish SIM card, you should

remember a key obligation – SIM card registration.
The cashier or attendant will ask you for proof
of identity, so don’t forget to take it with you.
Outlet operators can be found in most shopping
centres.

There are four main mobile operators in Poland:

Play – www.play.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
T-Mobile – www.t-mobile.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
Plus – www.plus.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
Orange – www.orange.pl [access: 26.07.2024].

3.2. Permission and legalisation of stay

EU CITIZENS:
you must have a valid proof of citizenship
(identity card or passport).

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BOTH EU AND NON-EU CITIZENS:
if you come to Poland for less than 3 months, you do not need
to register anywhere. However, if you are coming for a semester
or an entire period of study, you must remember that
registration is mandatory for your stay to be legal. To complete
the registration procedure, you will need to find the voivodeship office
with jurisdiction over your place of residence. Here are the contact
details of all 16 voivodeship offices in Poland: https://www.bip.gov.
pl/subjects/index/7489, [access: 31.07.2024] (offices are located in
Wrocław, Warsaw, Opole, Katowice, Kielce, Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów,
Białystok, Gdańsk, Lublin, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Łódź, Kraków,
Olsztyn, Poznań and Szczecin; additional delegations may also be
located in smaller provincial cities such as Jelenia Góra, Wałbrzych
or Legnica in Lower Silesia).

NON-EU CITIZENS:
if you are from outside the EU, you need a valid passport with a visa
(depending on the country you are coming from).

SCHENGEN VISA HOLDERS (TYPE C) – issued when

the intended stay in the Schengen area does not exceed 90 days
in any 180-day period.
NATIONAL VISA HOLDERS (TYPE D) – entitles the holder
to enter and stay in the territory of Poland for more than 90 days,
either continuously or in the form of several consecutive visits;
the period of validity of a national visa cannot exceed 1 year.

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What documents are needed when applying for a type C or D visa?
● Valid passport;
● Completed and signed visa application form;
● Photo, 3,5 cm × 4,5 cm;
● Valid proof of payment for a visa;
● Document proving that you have medical travel insurance;
● Document confirming the purpose of stay (study, international
exchange);
● Document proving adequate financial resources to cover living
expenses;
● Other documents that may be necessary for getting a visa.

Please note that Poland is a Schengen country, so a visa allows you

to travel around Europe (but only to other countries in the Schengen area).

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT

To obtain a temporary residence permit, you must provide
the following documents:
● Completed and signed application form;

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● Four photos, 3,5 cm × 4,5 cm;
● Photocopy of a valid travel document (original for inspection);
● Document confirming your student status in Poland;
● Valid proof of health insurance;
● Important proof of sufficient financial resources to study and live
in Poland.
The first temporary residence permit for the first year of study is
granted for a period of 15 months. Suppose your studies are covered
by an EU or multilateral programme, including mobility measures
or an agreement between two or more universities providing intra-EU
mobility. In that case, the first permit is granted for 2 years.

If your studies justify a stay in Poland shorter than 1 year, the first
permit is granted either for the entire academic year or for a period
of study extended by 3 months.

Subsequent temporary residence permits for study may be granted

for a period of study extended by 3 months but for no longer than
a total of 3 years.

Important payment information:

● Stamp duty: PLN 340
● Fee for issuing a residence card: PLN 100
● Foreigners whose purpose of stay is to study at a post-secondary
school or university are entitled to a fee reduction of PLN 50
for the issue of a residence card.

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3.3. Legalising your stay – non-EU
citizens

Required documents:
● an application form with attachment(s) – completed in Polish;
it is helpful to use the online application form of the Office for
Foreigners. Remember to print it out and submit it at your meeting
at the Office;
● 4 current photos, 3,5 cm × 4,5 cm;
● a copy of a travel document (passport); they will ask you to present
the original document at the meeting;
● confirmation of payment: PLN 340 or PLN 440, depending on
the permit;
● proof of health insurance and payment of the last monthly fee;
● proof of sufficient financial means to cover living costs
in Poland. The minimum monthly amounts required are: PLN 776
for a single person and PLN 600 for each family member living
in Poland; these are net amounts without accommodation costs;
● proof of accommodation and its costs: e.g. an apartment lease
agreement with the latest monthly bills for electricity, gas, water,
etc.

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3.4. Insurance and health care

In case of illness, bring your identity card or passport, along

with your student card and proof of insurance covering medical
expenses.
If you are an EU citizen or from the European Economic Area: health
care is free if you have an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card),
which you must obtain in your country of residence before coming
to study. The EHIC card entitles you to arrange medical appointments
in public healthcare facilities within the European Union.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country you must have a private

insurance policy covering medical expenses and accident and death
insurance before you arrive in Poland or after you have obtained
your student card, or you must sign an insurance contract with the
Polish National Health Fund (NFZ). The NFZ is the institution in charge
of financing health services. The monthly fee is approximately PLN 50.

Without health insurance, you will have to cover all medical costs yourself.

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Dolnośląski Oddział Wojewódzki NFZ
(Lower Silesia Regional Branch of the National Health Fund)

Customer service
ul. Generała Romualda Traugutta 55, 50-416 Wrocław
e-mail: [email protected]
fax: 71 797 93 25
Contact 24/7:
tel. + 48 800 190 590

Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies:

Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny im. Jana Mikulicza-Radeckiego

ul. Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 733 11 10

Dolnośląski Szpital Specjalistyczny im. T. Marciniaka

ul. Gen. A. E. Fieldorfa 2, 54-049 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 306 44 19

Szpital Specjalistyczny im. A. Falkiewicza

ul. Warszawska 2, 52-114 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 377 41 00

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Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej Ministerstwa
Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji we Wrocławiu
ul. Ołbińska 32, 50-233 Wrocław
tel. +48 882 132 802

4. Wojskowy Szpital Kliniczny z Polikliniką SP ZOZ

ul. R. Weigla 50-981 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 72 10 373

Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny we Wrocławiu

Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy
ul. H. M. Kamieńskiego 73A, 51-124 Wrocław
tel. +48 45 95 95 454

Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. J. Gromkowskiego

ul. Koszarowa 5, 51-149 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 326 13 25

Polon Pharmacy
ul. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 41/43, 50-369 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 328 30 54

Ziko Pharmacy
plac Grunwaldzki 16, 50-384 Wrocław
tel. +48 71 778 97 85

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Dbam o zdrowie Pharmacy / DOZ Vaccination point
plac Grunwaldzki 22, 50-363 Wrocław
tel. +48 800 110 110

3.5. Bank account

To set up a bank account, consult your bank adviser and determine

your situation.
Say that you are a student or participant in a course or exchange.
Show a document entitling you to stay in Poland (visa, permanent
or temporary residence card).

Specify your status (resident, EU citizen, non-EU citizen).

Required documents:
● Address of residence (correspondence) in Poland,
● PESEL number,
● Passport number and series with expiry date,
● Student card.

You must be at least 18 years of age. After graduation, remember

to close your bank account if you intend to leave the country.
Bank opening hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm.
Many banks, including international banks, are located in Wrocław.
Most of them will allow you to have a bank account and the differences
in the offers are not significant.

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As with mobile operators, bank outlets can be found in shopping
centres or within the city centre.

Examples of banks:

Alior Bank, www.aliorbank.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

Bank Pekao SA, www.pekao.com.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
Santander Bank Polska, www.santander.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
Credit Agricole Bank, www.credit-agricole.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
ING Bank Śląski, www.ingbank.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
Millenium Bank, www.bankmillennium.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
PKO Bank Polski, www.pkobp.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
mBank SA, www.mbank.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

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3.6. Travelling around Wrocław
(by bicycle, bus, tram, taxi, car, on foot)

BUSES AND TRAMS

Daily buses and trams run from 5 am to 11 pm on weekdays and

from 6 am to 10 pm on public holidays. Night buses run between
11.30 pm and 5.00 am every half hour, starting from the bus station
(PKS Bus Station), where they set off to all parts of the city. Regular/
normal (“Normalny”) bus routes are numbered 100 to 149. The fare
for the faster bus (“Przyspieszony” with the numbers 4...) is
the same as for the normal bus. More expensive are the suburban
(“Podmiejski”) buses (numbers 6...), the express buses (“Pospieszny”
marked with letters) and the night buses (numbers 240 to 259).

If you want to easily plan your route using public transport

in Wrocław, check out the website:
http://wroclaw.jakdojade.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

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URBAN CARD

The Wrocław Urban Card is a convenient, multifunctional carrier

of electronic services and products in prepaid card format.
The card encodes Wrocław Municipal Transport tickets. Benefits
for URBANCARD users include the ability to recover a ticket
in the event of theft or loss of the card, the wide availability of e-ticketing
outlets, ease and convenience of use, security of transactions,
multifunctionality and durability of the card, as well as the possibility
to implement new services supported by the card. With the card,
you can travel on trams, buses and trains within Wrocław.
An interesting option is a Wrocław URBANCARD with a payment function.
Here, you can apply for an URBANCARD, pick up your card, buy tickets
and make a complaint about the Wrocław Urban Card:
ul. Grabiszyńska 9, entrance from ul. Piłsudskiego (at pl. Legionów)
(Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.), tel.: 71 341 12 00

More information in English on the Urbancard website:

http://urbancard.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

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WROCŁAW CITY BIKES (WRM)

If you like to start using the WRM system,

set up an account. Fill out our registration form,
accept the Terms of Service and make the initial fee payment. Click
on the verification link which you will receive after registering in
an email message sent to the email address you submitted. You
will also obtain PIN via a text message to the telephone number
indicated during registration and in a second email message sent
to your email address. You will need this PIN while using
the Wrocław Rower Miejski system. That’s all it takes for you to
become a user of WRM bikes. You can register through the WRM
website, mobile application or by means of the
Contact Centre which is open 24/7 at +48 71 738 11 11

The initial fee amounts to 10 PLN and it will be credited towards

rental charges. The first 20 minutes of each rental of a standard bike
is free. Read our price list.

Remember: in order to keep your account active, you must maintain

its balance at least in the amount of 10 PLN.
If you want to rent a bike, use the mobile application. Approach
the selected bike and use the application to scan the QR code placed
on the given bike or enter the bike number and select RENT A BIKE.
A standard bike and an electric bike can be rented via the RFID
proximity card, which was previously paired with your account.

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Move your RFID card close to the reader. The card reader is located on
the bike luggage carrier.

In addition, you can rent a bike via the Contact Centre, which is
available 24 hours a day at +48 71 738 11 11.
If you want to return a bike, secure it by manually fastening the o-lock,
which is located on the rear wheel. It is the only way to correctly
complete the rental. The bike will be returned automatically after
fastening the lock.

TAXI

Always choose a (licensed) taxi company, never a so-called

“independent” taxi. A taxi company is cheaper and available by
phone. Remember that it is cheaper from 6 am to 11 pm and from
11 pm to 6 am it becomes more expensive. Licensed taxis must have
a sign with the word “taxi” and the word “Wrocław” on the side door,

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along with the side number and price list pasted on the window.
They also have to be equipped with a cash register with a taximeter.
There is one zone of taxi fares and kilometre rates approved
by the City Council, and they are the maximum prices. A ride from
the airport to the city centre on a weekday will cost around PLN 40,
and on a day off or at night around PLN 60.

Examples of taxi companies:

● ZTP Radio Taxi, tel. + 48 71 196 22;

● Radio Taxi Expres, tel. +48 71 196 28;
● MPT Radio Taxi, tel. + 48 71 191 91;
● Radio Taxi Serc, tel. +48 71 196 29;
● Super Taxi, tel. +48 71 196 63;
● Radio Taxi Blues, tel. +48 71 196 61.

3.7. Travelling in Poland

(buses, trains, discounts)

BUSES AND COACHES

In Poland, public transport services are provided by a number

of companies, both nationwide and regional. They provide
international, long-distance, intercity, suburban and local services.
Tickets can be purchased at bus stations or sometimes directly

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from the bus driver before the start
of your journey. Timetables and ticket
prices can be found on the websites
of the PKS companies in each region/city
or on the websites of private companies.

The main bus station in Wrocław is

located near the railway station,
at the address:
ul. Sucha 1, 50-086 Wrocław
You can obtain information directly
on-site or via the telephone hotline
+48 502 055 839 (mon-fri 6:00 – 22:00 | sat-sun 10:00 – 18:00).
This portal can be useful for planning a bus journey:
https://www.e-podroznik.pl/ [access: 26.07.2024]

TRAIN

Rail services in Poland are provided by a number

of public and commercial operators. However,
the dominant operator is Polskie Koleje Państwowe (PKP),
which combines several companies offering national and
international services. The Polish rail industry is constantly
modernising its infrastructure to improve travel times,
conditions and passenger comfort.
You can now choose from around 100 trains running

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daily between popular tourist destinations,
major cities in Poland (Intercity and Express
trains) and beyond. Poland has rail links
to many European cities, including Prague,
Vienna, Bratislava, Berlin, Brussels, Paris
and Budapest.
In the Lower Silesia area, regional
connections are operated by Koleje
Dolnośląskie or Koleje Polregio. Make sure
which carrier operates your chosen route
and that you have the correct ticket,
as their prices may vary, and the ticket
from a different provider may not be
recognised by the inspector.

ATTENTION: Pupils and students up to 26 years of age and PhD

students up to 35 years of age are entitled to a 51% discount
on the full fare, provided they have a valid student card issued
in Poland (which must be presented to the conductor on request).

DRIVING

In Poland, right-hand traffic is mandatory, and vehicles are overtaken

from the left.
When driving a car or other vehicle in Poland, you must have a driving

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licence, a vehicle registration certificate and a document confirming
that you have third-party insurance (Green Card).
The vehicle should be equipped with a warning triangle, fire
extinguisher, reflective waistcoat and first aid kit, which is not
mandatory but recommended.
Do not use a mobile phone while driving unless you have a headset
or hands-free kit.
Drivers must use dipped-beam headlamps or daytime running lights all
year round.
All passengers (with the exception of visibly pregnant women, taxi drivers
and those on sick leave) must wear seatbelts in both front and rear seats.

Driving licence

If you want to drive in

Poland, you should check
the following rules, which
determine whether you can use your
national driving licence in Poland:
● driving licences issued by EU Member States,
Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Iceland, may be used
in Poland up to the expiry date stated on the document.
Then you need to apply for a Polish driving licence.
● if you are a national of a country other than those listed above
and wish to drive immediately upon arrival, you should hold
an international driving licence issued in your country of origin,

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which is valid for up to three years or until the expiry date of your
national driving licence, whichever is shorter.
● driving licences from other countries are not valid in Poland. They
must be converted into a Polish driving licence, which can only
be done after 185 days of legal residence in Poland. You can apply
for a driving licence earlier if you present documents proving your
right to reside in Poland for more than 185 days. This can be a visa
or a residence permit.

The procedure for exchanging a driving licence for a Polish

document differs depending on whether or not the driving licence
held conforms to the model set out in the Geneva Convention
on Road Traffic (1949) or the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic
(1968). In the case of a convention-compliant driving licence, it is
sufficient to submit the following documents to the district office
(transport department) competent for the place of residence
to obtain a Polish document. However, if your driving licence does not
comply with the convention model, you will additionally have to take
a partial state examination – a written theoretical test in English, German
or Polish.

List of required documents:

● Completed application form,
● Copy of the national driving licence,
● Certified translation of national driving licence into Polish,
● Copy of your residence card, visa or other document confirming

36
your right to reside in Poland, or a certificate that you have been
studying for at least six months,
● Proof of payment,
● Colour photograph measuring 35 x 45 mm.

Car rental in Poland

Polish rental companies offer many types of cars for hire. The average
price for a monthly rental is EUR 1,000, but you can find a small car
for EUR 400 per month. Sometimes, certain discounts allow you
to pay even less for your car.
In some cities, there is a system that allows you to rent a car
for minutes, hours or even a few days. Cars waiting on the street
in various parts of the city can be accessed via mobile apps.
The rental cost includes fuel charges, time of use and driven
kilometres.
Examples of rental companies:
● www.rentcars.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
● www.carnet.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
● www.mobicars.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
● www.carjet.pl [access: 26.07.2024]
● www.carace.pl [access: 26.07.2024]

37
4. Scholarships and services

4.1. Scholarships

At the Wrocław Medical University,

you can apply for a social
scholarship/social scholarship
in an increased amount,
a scholarship for people with
disabilities, a rector’s scholarship,
a student aid and a student loan. In
their first year of study, Olympians can apply for
the rector’s scholarship. In subsequent years of study, this scholarship
can be awarded on the basis of a high average score, and academic,
artistic or sporting achievements.
In addition, Olympians who have been admitted to university thanks
to their achievements can apply for a scholarship through the Student
Scholarship Programme.
Applications for social scholarships, scholarships for people with
disabilities and the rector’s scholarship are accepted in the first half
of October.
Deadlines and detailed information on the individual scholarships
that can be obtained at the Wrocław Medical University can be found
at: https://www.umw.edu.pl/pl/informacje-ogolne-dla-studentow/
przewodnik-po-stypendiach [access: 31.07.2024]

38
4.2. Student dormitories, guest houses
and private student houses

The Medical University has two student halls of residence

on ul. Wojciecha z Brudzewa 10-12.

The Jubilatka Student House has 104

double rooms with en-suite bathrooms
(shower and washbasin) and 4 single
rooms with a shower outside the
room. Each room has a fridge, a roomy
wardrobe and desks. The Student House
shares 4 kitchens, 4 laundry facilities
and 24 toilets.

The Bliźniaki Student House has 202 triple rooms and

48 double rooms on offer. Each room is equipped with a fridge,
a roomy wardrobe and desks. Toilets, showers,
kitchens and laundries are located
in the corridor (72 toilets, 12 kitchens
and 12 laundries). On the ground
floor, there are two study rooms
and a common room with a large TV,
a PlayStation, billiards, table football
and board games.

39
In addition, the dormitories have wireless internet, vending machines
with coffee, drinks and snacks, a clinic, spacious parking, bicycle
sheds, 24-hour reception, and building monitoring.
Applications for a place for the academic year are
to be submitted by students/doctoral students
in person or by registered post to the Student
Services Office at the Bliźniak Student House,
ul. Wojciecha z Brudzewa 12, 51-601 Wrocław.
More information about student residences
https://www.umw.edu.pl/pl/kierunek-lekarski/
oferta-domy, [access: 31.07.2024].

For further information, please contact the administration of the

Student Homes on telephone number: +48 71 348 42 32.

FLATS FOR RENT

Those wishing to rent an individual flat can look at advertisements on

a number of portals. Unfortunately, most of them are only available
in Polish. Ask someone speaking Polish for help. Here are some
examples:
● www.milestone.net [access: 26.07.2024],
● www.gratka.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
● www.domiporta.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
● www.wgn.pl [access: 26.07.2024],
● www.olx.pl [access: 26.07.2024].

40
Student Depot private dormitory – offers single and double rooms,
located on ul. Robotnicza 96. The service includes high-speed internet
access, a free fitness area, utilities included in the rent, 24/7h security
and a work & chill area.
Milestone Student Apartments – offers single, double and triple
rooms. They are located on ul. Bolesława Prusa 9. Included
in the price of the flat is access to the gym, shared areas, internet,
monthly cleaning, events for residents.

4.3. University canteens:

Bistro Beszamel, ul. Marcinkowskiego 2A –

bistro offering dishes by weight. Its offer includes
lunches, sandwiches, snacks, cakes, hot and cold
drinks.

Cynamon Bar, pl. Grunwaldzki

23-27 – bistro with a weighted
buffet located near the campus.
Cynamon Bistro offers a menu
consisting of Polish, Chinese,
Turkish and Italian dishes.

41
5. Support for students

5.1. Welcome Centre

The Welcome Centre provides information support for international

students and guests. In addition, it conducts integration activities
and is a hub for grassroots initiatives for both students and university
employees.
The Welcome Centre also provides information on administrative and
living matters. We will support you in the first days of your stay at our
university and in Wrocław.

The Welcome Centre is located on the ground floor of the Centre for
Scientific Medical Information (CNIM) on ul. Marcinkowskiego 2-6
and is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00.

Contact: [email protected], tel: +48 71 784 2829,

Welcome Centre (umw.edu.pl)
[access: 26.07.2024]

Instagram: Welcome Centre

[access: 26.07.2024]

42
5.2. Students with disabilities:

The university offers various forms of support for people with special
needs, among others:
● supporting the candidate in the recruitment process, including
enrolment,
● creating conditions to speed up the handling of administrative
matters, e.g. in dean’s offices,
● ensuring appropriate adaptation of the university’s infrastructure,
● scholarship for people with disabilities,
● supporting in the teaching process (adaptation and availability
of teaching materials, foreign language learning, physical education
classes),
● providing support services, including assistants, specialist transport,
● psychological consultations (also remote),
● renting assistive technology (specialised equipment and software) to
people with visual, hearing and mobility impairments,
● ensuring the full participation of the university community in cultural
and sporting events,
● providing an accessible working environment,
● organising training, team-building trips, conferences,
● cooperating with organisations supporting people with special needs.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities

Telephone number: +48 71 324 14 69

43
6. Life in Poland

Poland is located in the central part of Europe, acting as a bridge

between East and West, both geographically and culturally.
The country is the perfect destination for tourism enthusiasts,
offering an extremely diverse range of attractions. One day, you
can enjoy the sunrise over the Baltic Sea, and the very next day,
you can savour the views from the tops of the mountains. Poland’s
cities, rich in numerous and impressive monuments, provide
the perfect starting point for a journey into the impressively lush forests,
which are resplendent with their unique flora and fauna. Poland
provides everyone with the opportunity to find an attraction
that suits their interests.

44
6.1. Basic information about Poland

The most important information you should know

about our country is:
● Official name: Republic of Poland;
● Capital city: Warsaw;
● Population: approx. 38 million;
● Main rivers: Vistula, Oder;
● Polish area code: +48;
● Poland’s largest cities by
population: Warsaw, Kraków,
Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań,
Gdańsk, Szczecin, Bydgoszcz, Lublin, Białystok, Katowice;
● Main religion: Roman Catholic;
● Currency: Polish zloty (PLN);
● Internet domain: .pl;
● Power plugs and sockets: type E, 230 V/50 Hz.

6.2. Public holidays and religious

(Roman Catholic) celebrations

Holidays and public holidays:

● 1 January – New Year;
● 6 January – Epiphany;
● March/April – Easter (Sunday and Monday);

45
● 1 May – Labour Day;
● 3 May – Constitution Day;
● May/June – Corpus Christi (Thursday);
● 15 August – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
● 1 November – All Saints’ Day;
● 11 November – Independence Day;
● 25-26 December – Christmas.

No classes are held on these days. Banks and shops are also closed.

Other special holidays:

● 14 February – Valentine’s Day;
● February – Fat Thursday (movable holiday);
● 8 March – Women’s Day;
● 2 May – Flag Day;
● 26 May – Mother’s Day;
● 1 June – Children’s Day;
● 23 June – Father’s Day ;
● 30 September – Boys’ Day;
● 6 December – St. Nicholas’ Day.

46
6.3. Polish cuisine

Polish cuisine is gaining increasing

international recognition, standing out
against other popular culinary traditions
such as Italian, Greek
or Mexican. Its uniqueness lies
in its rich palette of unique flavours that
combine the sharpness of mustard,
the sweetness of traditional desserts,
the complexity of fermented products
|and the depth of umami flavour.

Typical Polish dishes and delicacies include:

● Pierogi – this is probably the most iconic dish,
which is also known outside our country.
The most popular version of these is
Russian dumplings stuffed with potatoes
and cottage cheese. Dumplings come
in many flavours: you can have
dumplings stuffed with meat, which are often served together
with a bacon-based roast, dumplings with buckwheat groats,
or dumplings with fruit;

47
● Kotlet schabowy – a coated pork schnitzel, reminiscent
of the Wiener Schnitzel popular in Austria;

● Pickled cucumber – a characteristic element of Polish cuisine

that includes a wide range of pickles. Sauerkraut and juices
made from fermented vegetables are also popular in Poland;​

● Oscypek – smoked sheep cheese produced in the Polish mountains;

● Gołąbki – prepared by stuffing white cabbage leaves with rice

and minced meat and served with tomato or mushroom sauce.
The gołąbki are cooked over a fire or baked in broth;

● Rosół – a broth made from meat

and vegetables, traditionally served
with thin noodles, sliced cooked
carrots and green parsley. It often
forms the base for other soups;​

● Bigos – a traditional dish based on sauerkraut and a mixture

of different meats. Each family has its own recipe for bigos,
often passed down from generation to generation. It can
include mushrooms, dried prunes and various spices such
as bay leaf or juniper;

48
● Kaszanka – the recipe for kaszanka varies from region to
region, but the most popular version contains buckwheat, blood
and offal (including liver, lungs, skins and fat) in an intestinal
casing. In Poland, it is a popular product for barbecues;

● Kiełbasa – a typical Polish smoked sausage

often served with pickled
mushrooms, cucumbers, chervil,
mustard or vegetable salad;

● Żurek – a soup made from fermented rye flour, usually

served with a boiled egg and sausage;

● Szarlotka – cake with apples and cinnamon on a short or semi-

short pastry; in restaurants often served warm with ice cream
or whipped cream;

● Drożdżówka – a sweet roll available with a variety of fillings

such as curd, poppy seeds, pudding or seasonal fruits;

● Pączki – the Polish version of doughnuts, which are deep-fried

with a variety of fillings, e.g. rose, advocaat, pudding. In Poland,
there is even a celebration of doughnuts – Fat Thursday – which
is a movable holiday celebrated the day before Lent begins.

49
In addition, it is worth noting that the contemporary catering market
in Poland offers a wide range of restaurants and bars serving high-
quality vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

6.4. Safety

The protection of public order and internal

security on the territory of the Republic
of Poland is provided by the Police
and the Municipal Guard. Visitors
to Poland can be reassured that officers
patrolling the streets not only guard
against potential dangers but
also assist in finding the right
path and information on existing
rights and citizens’ obligations.

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7. Life in Wrocław

7.1. History and tourist attractions

Wrocław is a picturesque city located in western Poland,

on the River Oder, and is the capital of the Lower Silesia region,
as well as its largest city. It was founded in the 10th century
by the Polish prince Mieszko I of the Piast dynasty. Throughout
the Middle Ages, Wrocław flourished as an important centre of trade,
culture and science. The city has been a melting pot of different
ethnic and religious groups. It has a rich multicultural history.

Wrocław was and still is famous for its impressive Gothic

architecture, including the magnificent St. John the Baptist Cathedral
and the Market Square with its iconic Town Hall, which is one
of the largest old town squares in Europe. In the 18th century, after
the partition of Poland, Wrocław became part of the Kingdom

51
of Prussia and underwent a period of rapid modernisation
and industrialisation, becoming a major centre for trade, industry and
education. During the Second World War, Wrocław suffered severe
damage. In the decades that followed, the post-war city was created
as a mosaic of restored historic buildings and socialist-era structures.

Wrocław is known as a “Meeting Place” which manifests itself on

many levels. Through the centuries of its history, it has been home
to many cultures, ethnic groups and peoples. Speaking
of the diversity and openness of Wrocław, it is impossible not to
mention such a unique place as the Quarter of Four Denominations –
at a distance of approx. 300 m an Orthodox church, an Evangelical
church, a Catholic church and a synagogue stand next to each other.

In 2021, Wrocław joined the Intercultural Cities

Programme (ICC), which aims to promote policies
and practices that enhance interaction, mutual
understanding and respect between diverse cultures

52
and ethnic groups. In 2016, the capital of Lower Silesia
was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture.
Various institutions and initiatives have been set up as part
of the city’s award, including, for example, the Nowe
Horyzonty Cinema, which offers a repertoire of arthouse films,
film reviews and festivals (Nowe Horyzonty Film Festival),
workshops and educational activities for children and young
people. Wrocław is famous not only for its film festival,
but since 1966, it has also hosted the Wratislavia Cantans
International Festival, the Przegląd Piosenki Aktorskiej (Actors’
Song Review), the International Jazz on the Oder Festival
and some of the world’s most famous opera productions for instance,
in the Centennial Hall. Speaking of the city’s cultural aspects, it is
impossible not to mention the Ossoliński National Institute and
the Ossolineum Library, which is currently the largest book collection
of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Wrocław
is also one of the better-connected cities
in Poland – it has an international airport,
many railway stations, river ports and is
connected to the A4 motorway leading from
the direction of Berlin to the border crossing
with Ukraine. By plane, you can reach major
European cities from Wrocław in approx. 2 hours.
In 2018, Wrocław received the European Best
Destination award for the best tourist region
in Europe. The most recent award that

53
Wrocław can boast of is winning the “European Cities
and Regions of the Future” ranking in the medium-
sized cities category.
As mentioned above Wrocław is also known
as the Meeting Place. The official slogan
promoting the city originated from a homily
delivered on 1 June 1997 in Wrocław by Pope John Paul II
at the conclusion of the 46th International Eucharistic Congress.

“Wrocław is a city located at the meeting point of three countries,

which history has linked very closely. It is, in a way, a meeting city,
it is a city that unites. Here, the spiritual traditions of East and West
can meet”.

Highlights of Wrocław

Wrocław's main attractions include:

● Market Square – the historic centre
of Wrocław with its characteristic
colourful buildings, lively cafés
and Gothic Town Hall.
● St John the Baptist Cathedral in
Wrocław – a stunning city landmark
with twin towers and a beautiful interior decorated with wall
paintings and stained-glass windows.
● Panorama Racławicka Museum – an art museum in Wrocław,

54
exhibits a 360-degree painting depicting the Battle of Racławice,
one of the momentous events in Polish history.
● Ostrów Tumski – the oldest part of Wrocław, this island
is home to St. John the Baptist Cathedral and historic
architecture. Nicolaus Copernicus, who was scholastic
at Wrocław’s Holy Cross Church from 1503 to 1538, lived
temporarily on Ostrów Tumski.
● Wrocław Zoo – the oldest and largest zoo in Poland,
which is dedicated to the interspecies conservation
of animals.
● Centennial Hall – an iconic building, the “pearl
of Wrocław modernism,” a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, designed by the architect Max Berg.
● Wrocław Multimedia Fountain – a fountain surrounded
by a pergola is located in Szczytnicki Park by the Centennial
Hall. Designed by architects Max Berg and Hans Poelzig
for the Centennial Exhibition.
● Botanical Garden of Wrocław University – a peaceful
oasis in the city centre with a variety of plants, greenhouses
and picturesque landscapes. The garden, which belongs
to the University of Wrocław, was created in 1811.
● Japanese Garden – this garden has been arranged according
to the design rules of traditional oriental gardens. It is a
symbol-filled example of the harmonious combination of
natural forces and human action. It attracts with
its architecture, arrangement and rare vegetation.

55
● Market Hall – a vibrant market with fresh produce, local crafts
and Polish vendors of traditional products.

A unique attraction of Wrocław is a path along which you can travel

and explore the city, the Wrocław Dwarf Trail (there are approx.
400!) – the dwarves in the form of small carved statues symbolise
one of the many legends set in Lower Silesia. The appearance
of dwarves in the urban space of Wrocław is linked to anti-
communist activists in the 1980s who put the images
of dwarves on murals proclaiming “anti-socialist” slogans, which
were painted over by the authorities of the People’s Republic
of Poland. In the second half of the 1980s, the activists’ idea spread
to an unprecedented scale, taking the name “Orange Alternative.”
Its participants placed dwarf symbols on walls and posters used
during protests and happenings using the stencil graffiti method.
One of the Orange Alternative’s actions took on an international
profile – it was an anti-government protest of approximately
several thousand participants wearing dwarf hats, which made its
way through the streets of the city. For many years, the symbolism
of the dwarves was forgotten, but in 2003, one of the advertising
agencies proposed to the Wrocław City Promotion Office to use
the image of the dwarf once again as one of the symbols
of the capital of Lower Silesia.

Wrocław also has no shortage of culinary events and places where you

56
can taste cuisine from all over the world. Every year, at the beginning
of June, Wrocław’s Market Square hosts the “Europa na widelcu”
festival, where a fair of regional dishes and products, culinary
demonstrations and a European feast await.

Wrocław festivals:

Jazz on the Oder – a jazz festival of great renown that began

its history in 1964. It hosted world stars such as Pat Metheny,
Paco de Lucia, Al di Meola, Kenny Garret, Dave
Holland, Diana Krall, Cassandra Wilson, Lizz Wright
and Robert Glasper. The festival also includes
the prestigious Jazz Individuality competition.

International Film Festival Nowe Horyzonty

– an art cinema festival and film competition located at the
Nowe Horyzonty Cinema on ul. Kazimierz Wielki, established in
2001. It takes place in late July and early August. To date, guests
of the Festival were, for instance, Agnès Varda, Terry Gilliam,
Peter Greenaway, Carlos Saura, Asghar Farhadi, Leos Carax,
and Gaspar Noé. The festival’s repertoire annually includes
a section with discoveries, debuts and lesser-known representatives
of independent cinema, as well as a section dedicated
to a retrospective of a selected director of arthouse cinema.

57
International Festival Vratislavia Cantans – a music festival held
annually in September since 1966, focusing mainly on singers, currently
organised by the National Forum of Music in Wrocław. In recent years,
the festival has hosted, among others, Philippe Herreweghe, Sir
John Eliot Gardiner, Zubin Mehta, Cecilia Bartoli, Julia Lezhneva,
Philippe Jaroussky, Mariusz Kwiecień, Jordi Savall, Marcel
Pérès and ensembles such as the Israel Philharmonic
Orchestra, Collegium Vocale Gent, Akademie für Alte Musik
Berlin, Monteverdi Choir, Gabrieli Consort & Players,
Il Giardino Armonico, The Swingle Singers and English
Baroque Soloists.

International Poetry Festival Silesius –the International

Poetry Festival, held for the first time in 2016, which
accompanies the awarding of the Silesius Poetry Prize
of Wrocław.

PPA – the Actors’ Song Review has been organised since 1976
in Wrocław, during which the Actors’ Song Interpretation Competition
and many concerts and musical performances take place.

Art Review Survival – an annual artistic event held by the Art

Transparent Foundation in unusual urban spaces, most often,
in abandoned buildings that serve as exhibitions for the duration
of the festival. The festival presents works/installations by young
artists outside the walls of cultural institutions.

58
Lower Silesia: the values and attractions of the region
In addition to the tourist, cultural and historical wealth of the city
of Wrocław, it is also worth noting the qualities of Lower Silesia
as a whole and planning a trip outside the city.
What the Lower Silesian region is primarily famous for are historic
castles, palaces and mansions. The mountainous, large part
of Lower Silesia should not be forgotten either. The Sudeten
Mountains stretch across the south of the region and consist
of a variety of ranges. The Table Mountains and the amazing rock
blocks - Szczeliniec and Błędne Skały a dozen or so years ago
became the set for the film “The Chronicles of Narnia.” In addition,
the Lower Silesian region also boasts three UNESCO-listed
monuments.
In addition to Wrocław’s Centennial Hall, two Protestant churches
are on the UNESCO list: the Church of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica.

59
The most important attractions of Lower Silesia outside Wrocław

Książ Castle – an impressive castle located near Wrocław, famous

for its beautiful architecture, gardens and intriguing history.

Mount Ślęża – a recreational weekend destination for many Wrocław

residents. Mount Ślęża is the highest peak of the Ślężański Massif
and the Sudeten foothills. Its relative altitude is over 500 m. On
the top of the mountain, there is a church, a chalet, a TV mast,
an observation tower, a millennium cross from the year 2000
and Slavic stone cult sculptures. The mountain was the religious centre
of solar worship for the local tribes and dates back
to the Bronze Age. At the foot of the mountain is the village of Sobótka.

Czocha Castle – a picturesque castle from the 13th century, founded

by the family of the Silesian Piasts. The castle is full of legends and
mysteries. Visitors can explore its secret passageways, stylish
chambers and unique exhibitions under the supervision of a guide.

Karkonosze National Park – a picturesque national park in the

Karkonosze Mountains, ideal for hiking, skiing and admiring nature.

Church of Peace in Świdnica – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of

the largest wooden churches in Europe, known for its impressive architecture
and history.

60
Church of Peace in Jawor – a historic wooden
Evangelical church built between 1654
and 1655.

Srebrna Góra Fortress – a unique object in

the scale of European cultural heritage and one of the most important
attractions of Lower Silesia. It was founded between 1765 and 1777
near the town of Srebrna Góra in Lower Silesia. At the time of its
construction, it was one of the most modern fortifications of its kind
in Europe.

Książański Landscape Park – a picturesque park surrounding Książ

Castle, offering hiking trails, picnic spots and beautiful scenery.
Polanica-Zdrój – a charming town known for its spas, mineral springs
and historic architecture.

“Riese” complex – a powerful World War II fortification consisting of

many corridors and bunkers.

Bystrzyckie Lake – a body of water located in the valley of the

Bystrzyca River creating an amazing landscape with surrounding
nature located near Grodno Castle.

Gold Mine in Złoty Stok – this is a historic gold mine located on

the border between Poland and the Czech Republic with the only
underground waterfall in Poland.

61
7.2. Religious organisations
Roman Catholic Churches:
● Roman Catholic Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Plac Grunwaldzki 3, 50-377 Wrocław
● Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Częstochowa
Aleja Jana Kochanowskiego 11, 51-601 Wrocław
● Roman Catholic Church of St Lawrence
ul. Bujwida 51, 50-368 Wrocław

Orthodox Churches:
● Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God
ul. Św. Mikołaja 40, 50-128 Wrocław
● Parish Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in
Wrocław ul. Św. Jadwigi 13, 50-266 Wrocław

White Stork Synagogue

ul. Pawła Włodkowica 5

Islamic Cultural-Educational Center

aleja Jana Kasprowicza 24A

In addition, there are many other religious associations in Wrocław.

These include the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Baptist
Church in Poland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Poland,
the Pentecostal Church in Poland, the International Society
for Krishna Consciousness, the Muslim League in Poland and many others.

62
7.3. Supermarkets

There are a small number of supermarkets in the city centre. You can find
Carrefour Market on Grunwaldzka 67 Street and Biedronka supermarket
on 12-14 Grunwaldzki Square. However, much larger supermarkets with
a wider range of products and household goods are located further
away from the centre.
You can find Żabka grocery and convenience stores at many points
in the city. These shops are often open seven days a week until late
at night. Small private shops can operate similarly.

It is worth remembering that many shops are closed

on Sundays under the Sunday trading ban law.
The exceptions are the so-called “shopping
Sundays”, of which there are now seven a year –
then shops are open.

63
7.4. Shopping centres and restaurant venues

Wrocław has a lot of restaurants, food

trucks and other places with
a rich gastronomic ofer. There
are also shopping malls,
the largest of which are:
● Pasaż Grunwaldzki
(Plac Grunwaldzki 22, 50-363 Wrocław);
● Galeria Dominikańska
(Plac Dominikański 3, 50-159 Wrocław);
● Wroclavia
(ul. Sucha 1, 50-086 Wrocław);
● Magnolia Park
(ul. Legnicka 58, 52-204 Wrocław)

7.5. Cinemas, theatres and music

Cinemas:
● Multikino in Pasaż Grunwaldzki (plac Grunwaldzki 22, 50-363
Wrocław);
● Nowe Horyzonty Cinema (ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego 19a-21,
50-077 Wrocław);

64
● DCF – Lower Silesian Film Centre (ul. Marszałka Józefa
Piłsudskiego 64a, 50-529 Wrocław);
● Cinema City IMAX Wroclavia (ul. Sucha 1, 50-086
Wrocław);
● Helios Cinema in Magnolia Park (ul. Legnicka 58,
52-204 Wrocław).

Theatres:
● Wrocław Comedy Theatre (pl. Teatralny 4,
40-051 Wrocław);
● Capitol Musical Theatre (ul. Marszałka Józefa
Piłsudskiego 67, 50-019 Wrocław);
● Wrocław Pantomime Theatre (al. Dębowa 16,
53-121 Wrocław);
● Ad Spectatores Theatre, ul. Hubska 44-48, 50-502 Wrocław);
● Teatr Polski (ul. Gabrieli Zapolskiej 3, 50-032 – Jerzy Grzegorzewski
Main Stage; ul. Świdnicka 28, 50-068 Wrocław - Chamber Stage;
ul. Orląt Lwowskich 20c, 53-605 Wrocław – Scene at Świebodzki);
● Wrocław Puppet Theatre (pl. Teatralny 4, 50-051 Wrocław).

Music:
● Wrocław Opera (ul. Świdnicka 35, 50-066 Wrocław);
● National Forum of Music (pl. Wolności 1, 50-071
Wrocław).

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7.6. Museums and botanical gardens
Museums:
● National Museum (pl. Powstańców
Warszawy 5, 50-153 Wrocław);
● Panorama Racławicka Museum (ul. Jana
Ewangelisty Purkyniego 11, 50-155 Wrocław);
● Zajezdnia History Centre (ul. Grabiszyńska
184, 53-235 Wrocław);
● Four Domes Pavilion (ul. Wystawowa 1, 51-618 Wrocław);
● Archaeological Museum (ul. Cieszyńskiego 9, 50-127 Wrocław);
● Military Museum (ul. Cieszyńskiego 9, 50-127 Wrocław);
● MWW Contemporary Museum Wrocław (pl.
Strzegomski 2a, 53-681 Wrocław);
● Museum of Architecture (ul. Bernardyńska 5,
50-156 Wrocław);
● Theatre Museum in Wrocław (pl. Wolności 7a,
50-071 Wrocław);
● Natural History Museum, University of Wrocław,
(ul. Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław);
● Museum of Bourgeois Art in the Old Town
Hall (Sukiennice 14/15, 50-107 Wrocław);
● Pharmacy Museum of the Faculty of Pharmacy
of the Wrocław Medical University - House of the
Silesian Apothecary (Kurzy Targ 4, 50-103 Wrocław);
● University of Wrocław Museum (pl.
Uniwersytecki 1, 50-001 Wrocław).

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Botanical gardens:
● Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants of the Wrocław Medical
University (al. Jana Kochanowskiego 10-14, 51-601 Wrocław);
● Botanical Garden of the University of Wrocław (23 Henryka
Sienkiewicza St., 50-335 Wrocław);
● Japanese Garden in Wrocław (ul. Adama Mickiewicza 1, 51-618
Wrocław).

7.7. Sport

There is no shortage of places in Wrocław for both passive

and active sporting activities. As far as sports events are
concerned, it seems that the most popular in the city
are the matches of the Śląsk Wrocław football team
and events related to the Sparta Wrocław speedway
team, which also plays international matches.
In addition, Wrocław also has basketball
teams, Śląsk and Ślęża Wrocław, and volleyball
team, VolleyWrocław, as well as an American football team,
Panthers Wrocław.

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The city of Wrocław offers many opportunities for those looking
for active forms of leisure. For runners, there is an annual marathon
in the city, in addition to many park areas or places to run
on the banks of the Oder. In addition, practically
everywhere in Wrocław, wherever you live, there
is a place nearby where you can practice sport: small
and large fitness clubs, sports centres, nswimming pools, etc.

Below are some of them:

Sports centres:
● Wrocław Spartan Training Centre
(ul. Lubinska 53, 53-623 Wrocław, http://
spartan.wroc.pl/, [access: 31.07.2024] );
● Ice Rink
(ul. Spiska 1, 50-562 Wrocław, https://spartan.
wroc.pl/spiska/, [access: 31.07.2024]);
● Krajewski Leisure Centre
(ul. Krajewskiego 2, 54-239 Wrocław, https://spartan.
wroc.pl/krajewskiego/, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● Wrocław Climbing Centre Zerwa
(ul. Szczecińska 17D, 54-517 Wrocław https://zerwa.pl/,
[access: 26.07.2024]);
● Akademia Ruchu SHAKTI SHALA (ul. Ruska 47-
48A - in the courtyard, 50-079 Wrocław, https://
akademiaruchu.com.pl/, [access: 26.07.2024]).

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Swimming pools:
● Wrocław Spa Centre
(pl. Teatralny 10-12, 50-055 Wrocław, https://
www.spa.wroc.pl/, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● Swimming pools of the Military Sports Training Centre
(ul. Racławicka 62, 53-146 Wrocław);
● University of Economics swimming pool, Study of Physical
Education and Sport
(ul. Kamiena 35/37, 53-307 Wrocław; http://www.swfis.ue.wroc.
pl/o_nas/9669/obiekt_swfis.html,
[access: 26.07.2024]);
● Rogowska Fitness Academy swimming pool
(ul. Rogowska 52A, 54-440 Wrocław https://fitness-academy.
com.pl/basen/rogowska,
[access: 26.07.2024]);
● Aquapark Wrocław
(ul. Borowska 99, 50-558 Wrocław, https://
aquapark.wroc.pl/, [access: 26.07.2024]).

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7.8. Student life

At the beginning of the year, a number of universities

in Wrocław organise the so-called Hazing (usually falls in October
and November). It has become accepted as an event dedicated
mainly to first-year students and treated as their introduction
to the student world. It is customary for the hazing to last two
or three days and include many activities, e.g. sports competitions or
a food truck rally with cuisines from various parts of the world, but
its main focus is on concerts by some of Poland’s biggest music stars,
as well as student bands.
Juvenalia – a celebration of academic life in Wrocław, during which
students from all Wrocław universities receive a symbolic key
to the city. For a few days, all university campuses bustle
with even more intense student life. A colourful procession
of students passes through the city of Wrocław, with concerts
and other events dedicated to and organised by students taking place
at various points around the city.

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Poland’s best-known music festivals:

Open’er Festival – a festival that has been taking place in Gdynia

since 2003 with big stars, featuring artists from various music genres
on several dedicated stages.

Pol’and’Rock Festival – a festival organised by the Great Orchestra

of Christmas Charity Foundation, inviting international stars
to its stages. In addition to concerts, talks with well-known
people from the worlds of culture, politics, art, the media
or social life have their permanent place within the festival.
The festival is entirely free to the public, as it is a general form Wof
thanking volunteers for their work during the Grand Finale of the Great
Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

Orange Warsaw Festival – a festival that has been held in Warsaw

since 2008. Its stages showcase artists representing music genres
such as rock, indie rock, pop and electronic music.

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Off Festival – a festival taking place in Katowice, presenting artists of
broadly defined alternative music from all over the world.
Sunrise Festival – an electronic music festival that has been
taking place since 2003. It now takes place in Podczel on the site
of the former airport and hosts around 100 artists each year.

Discounts and bonuses for students in Poland

The student card entitles you to many discounts in Poland. These
include:
● up to 51% discount on selected public transport, including long-
distance trains,
● discounts in cinemas, theatres, museums*,
● discounts in certain restaurants, pubs and cafés*,
● discounts at certain entertainment venues, e.g. bowling alleys,
gyms, ice rinks*.

* Some venues only offer discounts on certain days of the week. The most
popular day for student discounts being Thursday and hence the now well-
established Polish phrase “student Thursday.”

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8. Transport

8.1. Airlines

Currently transferring airlines at

Wroclaw Airport are Eurowings,
KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Ryanair,
Swiss, Wizz Air, and Air Dolomiti.

8.2. Buses

The bus station in Wroclaw is

located at the rear
of the main railway station.
It serves both intercity
and local lines. Buses from companies transporting passengers
to/from all major European cities also stop here.
Larger companies involved in international transport:
● FlixBus (https://www.flixbus.com/, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● Sindbad (https://www.sindbad.pl/en/home, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● EUROBUS (https://www.eurobus.pl/, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● Polonus (https://pkspolonus.pl/, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● Lux Express (https://luxexpress.eu/en, [access: 26.07.2024]);
● RegioJet (https://www.regiojet.com/, [access: 26.07.2024]).

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8.3. Trains
Possible directions:
Warszawa/Gdynia/Kraków - Berlin,
Vilnius - Kraków,
Warsaw - Salzburg - Warsaw,
Katowice - Vienna - Katowice,
Warsaw - Vienna - Warsaw,
Przemyśl - Graz - Przemyśl,
Gdynia - Vienna - Gdynia,
Warsaw - Ostrava - Warsaw,
Warsaw - Prague - Warsaw,
Przemyśl - Prague - Przemyśl,
Przemyśl - Budapest - Przemyśl,
Warsaw - Prague - Warsaw,
Terespol - Budapest - Terespol,
Terespol - Prague - Terespol,
Kraków - Prague - Kraków,
Chałupki - Berlin - Chałupki,
Rzepin - Graz - Rzepin,
Rzepin - Budapest - Rzepin,
Warsaw - Budapest - Warsaw,

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8.4. Airport transfer

Public transport to the city: day line 106, day line 129, nightline 206,
weekend line P.
Taxis: Taxi Plus +48 601 711 058, Partner Taxi (+48) 173 398 983.
Estimated fares: (Partner Taxi, Taxi Plus): Airport - Wrocław Fashion
Outlet - PLN 40, Airport - City Centre - PLN 75-85, Airport - Main
Railway Station - PLN 80-90.
- Car rental - Wrocław Copernicus Airport is located in the
southwestern part of Wrocław, approximately 10 km from the city
centre. The airport is a half-hour drive from the city centre.

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9. Additional information

9.1. Costs of living

Accommodation € 200-500 + utilities

(single room) approx. € 50

Residence permit for non-EU Approx. € 12 - for students,

nationals approx. € 24 full cost

Meal (university canteen) Approx. € 5-8

Eating out (outside the Approx. € 7, depending on the

university) type of cuisine

Going to the museum Approx. € 5-10

Bread approx. € 1-1.50, fruit

Food products approx. € 1-2, milk approx.
€ 1.50, cake approx. € 1.50

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Transport Single ticket (local transport) € 1

Health insurance for non-EU

€ 12 per month
students

Annual tuition fees for 1 year MEDICINE PLN 56 000

of study STOMATOLOGY PLN 65 000

Milk Approx. € 0.9

Bread Approx. € 1.1

Rice Approx. € 1.4

Eggs (12pc) Approx. € 3

Apples (1kg) Approx. € 0.9

Bananas (1kg) Approx. € 1.6

Oranges (1kg) Approx. € 1.7

Tomatoes (1kg) Approx. € 2.5

Potatoes (1kg) Approx. € 0,8

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Onions (1kg) Approx. € 1.1

Lettuce (head) Approx. € 1.1

Water (1.5l) Approx. € 0.6

Prices calculated on the basis of the € exchange rate as at 15.05.2024.

9.2. Emergency telephones

112 - Emergency Call Centre - pan-European emergency number

999 - Ambulance
997 - Police, Police Station Wrocław-Śródmieście,
ul. Grunwaldzka 6, 50-355 Wrocław, tel.: 47 871 43 58)
998 - Fire brigade
986 - Municipal Police,
(ul. Na Grobli 14/16, 50-421 Wrocław, tel.: 71 347 16 35)

78
Thank you for reading the Guide!
We hope that you will have only
good memories of the University,
Wrocław and Poland. You are also
welcome to contact the Welcome
Centre to help create further
and better versions of the Guide.

79
Notes

80
Notes

81
Notes

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Welcome Centre
ul. Marcinkowskiego 2-6
50-368 Wrocław
+48 71 784 2829
[email protected]
https://welcome.umw.edu.pl/home

Wroclaw Medical University

wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1
50-367 Wrocław
https://www.umw.edu.pl/en