Summary

Offered through the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE), this program in Poland is co-sponsored by UW-Madison. Established in 1989, the program provides a broad-based academic program combined with an in-country cultural experience. The program is intended for students who have an interest in Poland and Central Europe, as well as political, social, and/or economic transformation from a state controlled to a democratic market-based system.

The goals of this program are to help students gain a greater understanding of Central Europe, with specific emphasis on the Polish perspective and experience. Students will learn more about business practices and economics in Poland and the European Union through courses at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Academics

Established in 1906, the Warsaw School of Economics (WSE) is the oldest and largest economics university in Poland, with 16,000 students and a teaching staff of 1,100. WSE has undergone fundamental curricular and structural transformation since 1990. Today, WSE offers undergraduate and graduate study programs in economics, international economics, management, statistics, computer science, demography, and public-sector economics.

Although there is no language prerequisite for participation in the program, all students are required to take conversational Polish. As students gain proficiency in Polish, resident staff encourage them to use their language skills in everyday settings. The more students participate, the more a community that contributes to Polish language proficiency and understanding of Polish society develops.

In addition to Polish language, students select four courses each semester taught in English. Students can select to take CIEE courses in such fields as Central European politics, literature, history, and economics. CIEE classes are attended by CIEE program students and occasionally by WSE or other international students. Students also have the option to enroll in Warsaw School of Economics courses taught in English through the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS).

For students at the advanced level of business studies, business courses in English are also available at the Warsaw School of Economics through the Community of European Management Schools, the European network of business schools. Enrollment in these courses requires prior approval.

Cost

Program cost information includes not only program fees, but out-of-pocket expenses with notes to help explain costs. Program fees are estimated and can be adjusted at any time. Accepted students receive cost sheets with confirmed program fees in their acceptance packets.

Fall 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Spring 2009-10 Cost Estimate Sheet Fall 2010-11 Cost Estimate Sheet

Location

A relatively young city by Polish standards, Warsaw was founded in the 14th century and became the nation's capital in 1596. Warsaw was completely devastated during World War II but was totally rebuilt, with many sections designed to look exactly as they did before the war. Today's Warsaw is a bustling city at the center of Poland's economic and cultural life, and a thriving Central European capital. It has an excellent public transportation system and is easily navigable, especially for those with no prior knowledge of Polish (many people speak English). The city is divided by the Vistula River, and has many parks, royal palaces, and a colorful Old Town area. Enjoy the many theaters, cinemas, museums, concerts, cafes, and discos while studying in the most rapidly growing city in Central Europe.

Student Life

Orientation:  A required orientation session held before departure at UW-Madison helps students prepare for studying abroad. Topics covered include academic, financial, administrative, cultural, and site-specific issues.

An on-site orientation session, conducted in Poland at the beginning of the program, introduces students to the country, the culture, and the academic program, and provides practical information about living in Warsaw.

Housing:  Housing is included in the program fee. CIEE students live together in double rooms in a Warsaw School of Economics dormitory, with shared bath and kitchen facilities. Meals may be taken at a student cafeteria, in restaurants, and cafes in Warsaw, or may be prepared in the dormitory, but are not included in the program fee.

Excursions and Activities:  Students benefit from ongoing orientation and cultural learning through their associations with Polish language partners whom they meet at the beginning of orientation.

The program also includes visits to sites of historic and cultural importance in Warsaw, a study tour to Gdansk-the home of the Solidarity Movement, as well as a five-day study tour to Krakow and the surrounding area. In Krakow, students attend several days of lectures in art history taught by specialists in the field. A visit to Auschwitz, the Nazi death camp, is also included. This study tour also includes a visit to Zakopane in the Polish Tatra Mountain Region. Visits to other Polish cities are also included as a part of some of the classes.

One of the features of the CIEE Study Center in Warsaw is financial support for student participation in the cultural life of the city. As a means of encouraging students to take maximum advantage of their time in Warsaw and in Poland, students may be reimbursed for tickets to theater, film, opera, ballet, and some train travel within Poland.