Come and study in Gallus

1. Come and study in Gallus Introduction Meeting for Incoming Students October 2011

2. Table of Contents • Welcome • Quiz about Poland • Poland- general information, tourist atrraction, interesting facts • Katowice – the capital of slaskie province • Silesian School of Economics and Languages- information about Gallus, organization of academic year etc. • Useful information about living in Polsand (cost of living, health care and insurance, public transport) • Dictionary

3. Welcome

4. Poland General Information • Poland is situated in central Europe and boasts of being the largest country in the area. • It stands bordered by Baltic Sea in the north and the Carpathian Mountains in the south. • Poland shares frontiers with Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany.

5. Poland General Information • The capital city is Varsovie. • It is good place to start organize your travel to: Vienne, Cracow, Varsovie, Bratyslava. • The official language of Poland is Polish, but a lot of people, specially young speak English, German; Russian and French are also spoken there. • Majority of the people in Poland follow Roman Catholicism.

6. 10 interesting and fun facts about Poland • 1.Poland is the 69th largest country in the world as well as the 9th largest country in Europe. • 2.Warsaw, Lodz, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, and Gdansk make up the six biggest cities of Poland. • 3.Rysy, sited in the Tatra Mountains and soaring to a height of 2,499m, forms the highest point in Poland. • 4.The north-east regions of Poland are the coldest, while the south-west regions are the warmest. • 5.The name ‘Burek, literally meaning a brownish-grey color, is very popular as far as dog names in Poland are concerned.

7. 6.The year 1989 saw Poland holding its first free elections, in more than 40 years. 7.Most of the Poles consider their name day more important than their birthday. 8.The White tailed Eagle is the national symbol of Poland. 9.Poland is the 6th most populous and the 6th largest of the 27 member states in the European Union. 10.Amongst all the members of the European Union, the residents of Poland marry the youngest. 10 interesting and fun facts about Poland

8. Most tourist attractions in Poland are connected with natural environment, historic sites and cultural events. They draw millions of tourists every year from all around the world. According to Tourist Institute's data, Poland was visited by 17.1 million tourists in 2009, and by 18,5 million tourists in 2010. Tourist Atrraction

9. Zakopane is a center of Góral culture and is known informally as "the winter capital of Poland". It is a popular destination for mountaineering, skiing and hiking. The best time for visit Zakopane is Autumn or Christmas and New Years season. Distance from Katowice: about 156 km; 2,5 h by car. Tatras Mountains, Zakopane

10. The Beskids are approximately 600 km in length and 50–70 km in width. They stand mainly along the southern border of Poland, and in the neighboring far eastern Czech Republic, neighboring regions in northern Slovakia, and in western Ukraine. There are numerous tourist attractions and winter resorts in the mountains. The best time to visit Beskids is autumn. Distance from Katowice: 80km, 1h by car. Beskids

11. Ojcowski Park is very biodiverse; over 5500 species reside in the park. These include 4600 species of insects and 135 of birds. Mammalsinclude the beaver, badger, ermine, and 15 species of bats ( many of which hibernate in the park's caves during the winter). The best time to visit: all seasons. Distance from Katowice: 50km, 45min. by car. Ojców National Park – the smalest National Park in Poland

12. Cracow is a former country’s capital. Most of the city guests are captivated by its magical atmosphere and the splendid architecture. In Krakow you can see mediaeval cathedrals, the Renaissance castle, Baroque churches, the Art Nouveau theatre and many other monuments. The best time to visit: all seasons Distance:78 km, 1,5h by car. Cracow

13. The town was a witness to an enormous evil caused by mankind. During World War II in the largest Nazi extermination camp around 1.5 million people perished. A gruesome exhibition in the former camp makes the visitors rethink the basic ideas of humanity and dignity. The best time to visit – all the seasons, Distance from Katowice: 35 km, 0,5 h by car Ticets: about 37,50 zl for one person - included guide and documentary film. Oświęcim (Auschwitz)

14. Katowice the capital of slaskie province

15. Wroclaw 180 km. by car, Cracow 78km. by car, Varsovie 316km. by car, Prague 236 km. by car, Vienne 334 km by car, Budapest 230km. by car. Katowice on the map of Poland

16. Some useful data • Katowice is an important economic centre in Southern Poland and the capital of the Silesian Voivodeship. • Katowice played a major role in the Industrial Revolution in Poland and it is now one of the largest cities in the country. • Airports : • The nearest Katowice - Pyrzowice • Other: Wroclaw, Cracow - Balice

17. Interesting facts about Katowice • Silesian Metropolitan area is one of the largest urban agglomerations in Europe. • There is still no explanation for the origins of the name Katowice: hundreds of years ago, the city was just a small blacksmiths community. • Although most travel guides will present Katowice as an industrial city, almost 50% of its area is covered by parks, playgrounds, fields and forests. • In recent years, Katowice managed to become one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe.

18. You cannot get bored in Katowice! The city vibrates with social, cultural, and first of all, night life, Everybody will find something for themselves, Katowice offers a lot to night life enthusiasts, There are many places where the fun goes on till the morning . Free times activities

19. Polish bars are commonly called “pubs”, although beside the name they have little in common with the traditional, English ones: They are stylized after Irish or Scottish pubs, but each one has its own unique décor and atmosphere, They serve exquisite beer and close when the last guest leaves, which means the fun can last until the early morning, Dance lovers may “have their fling” in discos to the rhythms of techno, hip-hop or rock music. Free times activities

20. Useful information about Gallus

21. Name of host institution Silesian School of Economics and Languages Wyższa Szkoła Zarządzania Marketingowego i Języków Obcych Erasmus Institutional Code PL KATOWIC10 Adress International Office 12, Gallusa Street 40 – 594 Katowice Phone: + 48 32 20 79 228 Fax: + 48 32 20 79 228 General Information

22. The school was founded in 1994, It is the largest non –public higher school in Upper Silesia, The school was awarded the title of the best non –public higherschool in Upper Silesia by the Chapter of Polish Ranking of higher school announced by „Rzeczpospolita” and „Perspektywy”, Some facts about Silesian School of Economics and Languages

23. The school has a status of TELC/ICC examination centre, The students also have the possibility to obtain computer science certificates – ECDL ( European Computer Driving Licence). Some facts about Silesian School of Economics and Languages

24. Organization of Academic Year • The academic year is divided into two terms: • The winter semester starts on the 1st of October and ends 20th of January, when the exam session starts, • The summer semester starts on the 13th of February and ends on the 1 st of June, then the exam session starts, • There are short breaks at the end of December (from Christmas till New Year) and during Easter,

25. Important dates for 2011/2012 Academic Year • Public Holiday • All Saint’s Day – 1 st November • Independence Day – 11 th November • Christmas Day – 25 th December • Boxing Day – 26 th December • New Year’s Day – 1 st January • Twelfth Night– 6th January • Easter Sunday – 8 th April • State Holiday – 1 th May • Constitution Day – 3 rd May • Corpus Christi – 7th June • Feast of the Assumption – 15 th August

26. Erasmus InstitutionalCoordinators • Erasmus Institutional Coordinator • Katarzyna Mika • Tel. +48 32 20 79 228 • Fax: . +48 32 20 79 228 • Email: katarzyna.mika@gallus.pl • You can also cantact to: • Monika Biernatek • Tel. +48 32 20 79 228 • Fax: . +48 32 20 79 228 • Email: monika.biernatek@gallus.pl • Opening hours of the International Department • Monday – Friday • 7:30-15:30 • Room 134

27. Living in Poland

28. Cost of living • Loaf of bread: 3 zł • Bottle of mineral water: 2 zł • Cup of coffe: 5 zł • Butter: 3,5 zł • Beer: 5 zł • Apples ( 1 kg): 3 zł • Ham ( 1 kg): 25 zł • Cheese ( 1 kg): 30 zł • Milk ( 1 l): 2.5 zł • Chocolate: 5 zł • Petrol: (1 l ) 5zł • Cigarettes from 9 zł

29. Health Care and Insurance • The institution responsible for health care in Poland is the National Health Fund – Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (NFZ). • To get treatment by a general practitioner you should go to a doctor who has a contract with NFZ and show your European Health Insurance Card or a replacement certificate. • To get treatment by a specialist, such as an obstetrician, dentist, dermatologist, venerologist, oncologist, eye specialist or psychiatrist you don’t need a referral. To go to any other specialist you need to go a general practitioner first. • In case of emergency call 999 or 112

30. Public Transport • Railway– The railway station in Katowice is about 20 minutes on foot from the “Gallus”. There are direct over-night sleeper rail services from main European cities such as: Paris, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and others. Rail journeys to major cities in Poland (Warsaw, Krakow and others) are available several times a day by express or `Inter City trains. • Local transport In Katowice One reduce price ticket costs 1.40 zł, full price – 2.80 zł. However if you know you will be using the public transportation many times within the day or weekend you can buy more economical tickets, valid for a given period of time, eg.: 24 hours, 3 days, 30 days, 90 days. More information are available at KZK GOP • Taxis – Taxis are not difficult to find because of the many small taxi companies competing with each other, especially in the city area. We suggest not to take the taxi from the train and bus station, because they are far more expensive than from other companies. Phone number for the cheapest taxi companies in the area are for example: Radio Taxi - 9191, Halo Taxi - 9629

31. good morning – dzień dobry good evening –dobry wieczór goodbye –do widzenia goodnight- dobranoc thank you – dziękuje please –proszę I don’t understand- nie rozumiem What’s your name?- jak masz na imię? My name is… - Mam na imię How are you?- Jak się masz on the right – na prawo on the left – na lewo student ID – legitymacja faculty – wydział bread –chleb roll –bułka milk –mleko water –woda juice- sok butter –masło beer – piwo wine – wino coffee – kawa tea –herbata book –książka Railway Stadion – dworzec kolejowy Airport – Lotnisko Dictionary – some useful word

32. Free Emergency Telephones • Police: 997 (Policja) • Fire brigade: 998 (Straż Pożarna) • Ambulance: 999 ( Pogotowie Ratunkowa) • Calling from mobile dial: 112

33. Good luck!!! Thank you for your attention