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I NTERNATIONAL S TUDENTS • Intro d u c t i o n • How t o g e t t o O p o l e • Op o l e • Tra n s p o r t • Aca d e m i c i n f o • Sp o r t s f a c i l i t i e s • Re s t a u ra n t s , c a n t e e n s , c a f é s a n d d i s c o s • Cu l t u ra l l i f e • Ca l e n d a r o f c u l t u ra l eve n t s • Tra ve l l i n g a ro u n d • Pra c t i c a l i n f o • Us e f u l ex p re s s i o n s • Co n t a c t i n f o
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Introduction Tha n k yo u f o r j o i n i n g o u r i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t u d e n t com m u n i t y. H e re yo u w i l l f i n d a v i b ra n t a n d unf o rg e t t a b l e a c a d e m i c ex p e r i e n c e . Yo u w i l l ha ve a p e r f e c t c ha n c e t o l e a r n Po l i s h language, get to know our c u s t o m s a n d visit some of the most stunning p l a c e s in Po l a n d . Our international t ea m a l o n g w i t h volunteer students know n a s m e n t o rs w i l l do t h e i r b e s t t o p rov i d e yo u w i t h a l l s u p p o r t you mig h t n e e d . B u t be f o re yo u a s k f o r h e l p , p l e a s e check out our guidebook designed to ser ve as a source of essential and handy information. We a re d e l i g h t e d yo u ’ ve c h o s e n o u r U n i ve rs i t y. Now e n j oy yo u r t i m e i n Po l a n d !
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HOW TO GET TO OPOLE • Wroclaw Airport - Opole:
Ta ke a b u s f r o m t h e a i r p o r t ( n o . 4 0 6 n e x t t o t h e terminal entrance). The bus goes ever y 20-30 minutes an d t h e f i n a l s t a t i o n i s l o c a t e d by t h e C e n t ra l Train St a t i o n ‘ W ro c ł a w G ł ó w n y ’ a t D wo rc owa S t re e t. A b u s t i c ke t c o s t s a p p r o x . 2 . 6 0 z ł a n d c a n n o t be p u rc h a s e d f ro m t h e b u s d r i ve r. Yo u c a n b u y it a t k i o s k o r f ro m t h e t i c ke t s m a c h i n e a t t h e b us stop.It is necessary to have change.Then you should take a train to ‘Opole Główne‘. The journey takes approx. 1 h.
• Katowice Airport - Opole:
6 Take a bus to Katowice Centre whic h has final station by Katowice main train station. Then take a train to ‘Opole Główne’. A bus tic ket costs 23 zł and can be purc hased from a bus driver. The bus route is KATOWICE INTERNATIONAL AIPORT IN PYRZOWICE – KATOWICE CENTRE. It takes about 1 h o u r t o g e t t o t h e s t a t i o n . T h e n t a ke a train t o O p o l e G ł ó w n e . T h e j o u r n ey t a ke s a p p ro x . 1,5 h.
• Warsaw Airport - Opole:
F r o m Wa r s a w A i r p o r t t a ke a b u s n o . 17 5 t o A l e j e Jerozolimskie Street (stop by the, Warszawa Centralna’ – Central Train Station). It takes about 20-30 minutes to go to the train station. Then take a train to Opole Główne. T h e j o u r n ey t a ke s a p p ro x . 5 h .
• Opole Główne (Main Train Station) – Student Hall of Residence Sokrates dormitor y is located at 22 Małopolska
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Street. Bus no. 9 goes from the train station (bus stop at 1 Maja - Kołłątaja Street) to the dormitory (5th stop at Sonkowskiego - Małopolska Street). Zaścianek , Zygzak and Pr yzma dorms are located at Mikołajczyka Street. Take bus no.15 (bus stop at 1 Maja - Kołłątaja Street) and get off on 8th stop at Sosnkowskiego – Politec hnika bus stop.The ticket costs 2.60 z ł and can be purchased at a kiosk or from a bus driver for 3.00 zł. Taxis are available in front of the railway station. The route from the station to the dormitor y should take abo u t 10 m i n u t e s a n d t h e fare should var y from 15 z ł to 20 z ł .
C IT Y Opole, a city with a population of about 130.000 inhabitants, is located in the south-west part of Poland upon the Odra River. It is the capital of the Opole Region and its cultural, economic, academic and scientific centre. The capital of the Region boasts not only a beautiful old town and well known annual National Song Festival, but also many other cultural events, important for Poland and Europe, suc h as the International Drum Festival, Opole Theatre Confrontations, Opole Lamas – one of the best Polish film festivals, or Opole Songwriters Festiwal
Municipal Information Centre • 23 Rynek , mit@um.opole.pl • 3 Żeromskiego Street, www.orot.pl
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What to do and see in Opole:
• listening to the bugle call of Opole played at noon by a bugler from the City Hall tower • thoughtful Agnieszka Osiec ka - a sculpture of the poet, author of song lyrics. One can sit down by Osiec ka and remain silent with her in Kopernika Square in front of the University of Opole building • walk ar ound a vast c harming park on Bolko Island, where one can find the Municipal Zoological Garden with modern paddocks and an attractive collection of endangered animals (giraffes, zebras, r hinos and lemurs).
Other interesting spots: Piastowska Tower The Tower is the only remain of the Piast Castle. The castle itself was destroyed by the Germans in th years1928-1930. It was built in the gothic style, around 1300. The tower is 35 meters high. It is probably the oldest building in Opole, and many citizens think of it as a symbol of the city. Amphitheatr e National Polish Song Festival takes place here. The festival is an annual event in Opole. The Amphitheatre seats an audience of 500 people.
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Cathedr al of the Holy Cr oss The church was built during the reign of King Bolesław Chrobry. The final rebuilding took place in the years 1897-1902 and resulted in adding two neo-Gothic towers, eac h 73 meters high. Inside the cathedral interesting things worth seeing are the c hapel with mausoleum and grave cover of Jan II Dobr y, the last prince of Opole Piasts. Church of the Mother of God in Pain and Saint Adalber The oldest c hurc h in Opole, also called the ‘Churc h on the Hill’. According to some legends the c hurc h was built in the 9th centur y. Its baroque interior and neo- Romanesque f acade makes it worth visiting. In the c hurc h one can admire the allegorical painting of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mar y. Fr anciscan Chur c h of Holy Trinity T h i s m o n a s t e r y c h u rc h o f H o l y T r i n i t y wa s f o u n d e d by 10 Władysław I Opolczyk. Inside, you can admire the presbyter y and the c hapel of Saint Anna, they both came from the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. The church is a combination of Gothic elements and a baroque roof and towers. Probably the most attractive place to visit in that particular c hurc h is the burial cr ypt with the remains of eight princes and five princesses.
Def ensive walls with tower Newly renovated fragment of defensive walls with a corner tower was put to use by the Knight Brotherhood of Opole. The square in front of the walls is the ideal place for holding fairs and historical exhibitions. Szpitalna Str eet The oldest street in Opole. A Jewish synagogue built in 1841, lasted throughout the Cr ystal Night of 1938 a n d t h e I I Wo r l d Wa r. T h e b u i l d i n g located at Szpitalna 1 is now a property of the Opole television station.
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Market Squar e A typical medieval market with the City Hall erected in 1864 and rebuilt in 1936, which imitates the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The east side includes the Alley of Stars of the Polish Song, which was developed in 2004. City Public Libr ar y Located in a beautiful, renovated tenement house. The two floors feature librar y for adults and Fable Room for children, reading rooms with magazines and a computer room (free Internet access), a media librar y and a self-ser vice machine for lending books. The librar y offers many attractions such as meetings with interesting authors as well as art shows and exhibitions.
City Public Libr ar y
Museums
Museum of Opole Silesia
7 Mały Rynek The building of museum is said to be the oldest house in Opole. In 1698, after the renovation, Jesuit College was opened there. Permanent exhibitions: ‘Primeval Histor y of Opole Region’ and ‘Opole - a stronghold, a city and the capital of the region’ plus some more interesting seasonal exhibitions. Open Tue.-Fri. 9:00-16:00, Sat.- Sun. 11:00-17:00; Opole Village Museum (Heritage Park), 174 Wrocławska Street The museum offers to visit 46 historical village buildings plus permanent exhibition: ,Arc hitecture of historical buildings from the area of Opole Silesia and their interiors’. Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. from 10:00 to 15:00; 13
Centr al Museum of Prisoner s of War 3 Minor ytów Street In 1984 the museum was situated in a historical building from 18th centur y in the center of Opole. Currently one can see exhibitions related to the histor y of the II World War. The Museum collects archival documents, including a list of prisoners of war connected with a camp in Łambinowice (World War Two) Open: Mon.-Fri. 8:00-15:00; Moszna Castle, 20 km from Opole An amazing Disney -like castle located in the vicinity of Opole. It dates bac k to the middle of 18th centur y. The castle has sur vived in an unc hanged outside form until now and its unusual arc hitecture rouses common interest. Visit the castle to find out about the histor y and count its 99 towers!
Tenement house Świętego Wojciec ha Street A house from the end of the 19th centur y located near the Mar ket Square is the property of the Museum of Opole Silesia. The renovated tenement house offers visitation of five quarters and the middle-class interiors, which were restored and given to the public to glimpse the living c o n d i t i o n s o f a n a v e r a g e c i t i z e n o f 19 t h c e n t u r y.
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T R ANSPORT Public Bus in Opole The company name is MZK OPOLE. The bus timetables are available on bus stops and on the website www.mzk.opole.pl ROZKŁAD JAZDY. To see the route one shall click on bus number. By choosing specific bus stop you can check the schedule.Tickets can be purchased at a kiosk or from a bus driver with a surcharge. It is necessar y to validate your ticket immediately after getting on the bus. When travelling with a large luggage or an animal you need to purchase an additional ticket. The penalty for travelling without a ticket is 50 – 100 zł.Bus ticket prices var y in each city. In Opole the fares are as follows: day single trip ticket: regular- 2.60 zł, students- 1.30 zł, night single trip ticket: regular- 6.40 zł, students- 3.20 zł daily ticket (entitles one person to unlimited number of journeys during the day): regular - 8.00 zł; students- 4.00 zł single interchange twice punch ticket (entitles one person to travel with a transfer provided that a second validation is made within one hour from the first one): regular- 3.30 zł; students - 1.65 zł A single student ticket for students is called BILET STUDENCKI.
Season tickets
30 day ticket for all routes within the city in the
ticket
Discounted student ticket
126,50 zł
63,25 zł
44 zł
22 zł
88 zł
44 zł
63,80 zł
31,90 zł
Regular
daytime 10 day ticket for all routes within the city in the daytime 30 day personal ticket for all routes within the city in the daytime 30 day personal ticket valid ever y day for 1 route
A personal ticket is valid only with a special ticket card. The card will be issued while buying a ticket. You need to bring 2 photos and ID or Student ID.
Intercity Coach Lines
One can travel by bus around Poland with Polski Bus (www.polskibus.com/en) or with PKS - Polish Car Transport Company (www.pks.opole.pl)
Train
Polish State Railways (PKP) operates EuroCity trains between Poland and a number of major European cities. All ser vices from Western Europe to Poland pass through the Czech Republic, Germany or the Slovak Republic. The main routes link Warsaw with Berlin and Cologne, Budapest, Prague and Vienna. There is a sleeper-car ser vice from the Hook of Holland to Poznan and Warsaw. www.pkp.pl
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Taxi Taxis in Poland are marked with a TAXI sign on the top of the car. Make sure that the driver uses the meter. Every taxi driver is required to issue a receipt (rachunek) when asked. Be sure to carr y small money with you as drivers are notorious for not having any change. Tr y to use only those taxis with phone number on the side or top of the vehicle. The unaffiliated ones are likely to cheat and charge you much more. There is a late-night surcharge from 11pm - 5am, and for journeys out of town, as well as at weekends. The fare for per 1 km is approximately 2.40 zł (at night - 3.60 zł). To ever y trip 5 zł is added as the START fare (HALO TAXI BIS only 4.50 zł). Some TAXI numbers in Opole: +48 510 196 400, +48 77 455 0731, +48 603 969 622, +48 77 453 6060. 17
Travelers’ Tips While at train station please make sure to get to the right platform (PERON). The place where tickets are sold is called ‘kasa’. It is not necessar y to validate the ticket but you should keep it because there might be a ticketinspector on the train checking the tickets - usually dressed in a dark blue suit. The 2nd class coach has a huge number 2 next to the door on both ends of the carriage. Polish State Railways (PKP) offer 50% discount off the full fare for students aged 26 or under, but you should have a valid student ID a Polish university. Please mind your belongings while you are in a bus and train station.
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A C ADEMIC INFO Degr ees/Levels of study off er ed by institution • 3.5-year BSc programmes ( 23 courses) • 1.5-year MSc programmes (14 courses) • 4-year PhD programmes (5 courses) Studies ar e off er ed in the f ollowing disciplines:
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• civil engineering (***) • architecture and town planning (*) • electrical engineering (***) • automatic control engineering and robotics (***) • security engineering (*) • electronics and telecommunication (*) • computer science (**) • environmental engineering (**) • mechanical engineering and machine design (***) • agriculture and forestr y (**) • mechatronics (**) • physical education and sports (**) • tourism and recreation (**) • physiotherapy (**) • economics (**) • european studies (**) • management (*) • management and production engineering (**) • administration (*) • chemical and process engineering (*) • logistics (*) • power industr y engineering (*) • food science and technology (*) (*) – BSc (**) – BSc, MSc (***) – BSc, MSc, PhD
Academic Calendar Winter semester begins on 1st October, and ends in the middle of February. After two weeks of winter holidays, summer semester begins. Courses take place from the end of February until mid June and are followed by the exam session. More detailed and updated information concerning organization of academic year may be found on our website www.iro.po.opole.pl in the tab ‘academic calendar’
Grading Scale The Polish Grade 5.0 – excellent
ECTS grade A
4.5 – ver y good
B
4.0 - good
C
3.5 - satisfactor y
D
3.0 - pass
E
2.0 - fail
F/FX
Rules ! Dormitor y payment should be made by the 15th of each month (detailed information – ask manager of your dorm). The change of a room is possible and depends on availability and consent of the manager. Thus, any change must always be reported to the manager. Two weeks before leaving you are requested to give the manager a written information about your departure date.
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Changes to LA should be done within the first month of stay. This document, having signatures of Faculty coordinator and Dean should be submitted to the International Relations Office which is responsible to for ward it to the students’ home university for consent and signatures. End of Stay: After the end of all courses, students pick up certificate of credits from a faculty coordinator and then collect grades and required signatures of the teachers. Then, the coordinator will issue a Transcript of Records and for ward this docment to the International Office. Subsequently, the Institutional Coordinator issues the Erasmus Student Certificate and sends it along with Transcript of Records to s t u d e n t h o m e u n i ve r s i t y i n t e r n a t i o n a l relations office. Student ID: International Reltions Office informs student by e-mail when the ID is ready. To collect Student ID you should go to Centrum Obsługi Studenta – COS (Student Ser vice Centre), located at 1st floor of University Conference Centre called ‘Łącznik’ (above STREFA Student Canteen). The fee is 17 zł and should be paid into the university account number. COS is open from 10:00 to 14:00. The ID entitles to 50 % discount for public transport within the city and other student discounts: cinema, museums, etc.
Other Activities: International students are ver y welcome to participate in numerous activities and events organized by our University, such as: • Free Chinese Language and Culture course (1 class/week . Duration: 2 semesters) • Polish Language and Culture course (2 classes/ week . Duration: 1 semester, either winter or summer semester) • Guest lectures given by Ambassadors, Consuls or visiting professors. • Sports activities during the an n ual ‘University Holiday’ which takes place on May 4th. • ‘Piastonalia’ – a 3- day student holiday. It is a time free of classes that students spend celebrating on numerous concerts, parades and performances. This event will put you in a truly festive mood!
Sport Facilities At the university: GYM at the II campus 76 Prószkowska Street Opening hours: from 17:00 Entrance: free
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FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON The sport fields on the second campus and at the Sokrates student hall. Opening hours: according to the sc hedule of the Faculties. For further information please contact dr Jacek Soboń at therapy73@o2.pl Entrance: free SKIING The Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy organizes a skiing camp ever y winter (winter camp). The Erasmus students are allowed to take part. For further information and consent please contact dr Jacek Soboń at therapy73@o2.pl
Fitness centers in the city: ’FitLif e’; 11 Oleska Street ; www.fitlife.com.pl Opening hours: Mon- Fri: 7:00 to 22:00 Sat: 9:00 to 18:00, Sun: 9:00 to 16:00 ’Oxide Fitness Club’, 17 b Grota Roweckiego; www.oxide.com.pl Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 7:00 to 22:00 Sat: 9:00 to 16:00, Sun: 9:00 to 13:00 You can c hoose fr om variety of activities suc h as: A er obic, A qua aer obic, Gym, Sauna
Swimming pool ’A quarium’, 48 b Ozimska Street – indoor swimming pool ’Błękitna fala’ – 1 Plac Róż Street; outdoor swimming pool;
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Climbing ’Asgar d’ Winów, 1 Stara Droga Street, Tel. (+48) 888 564 953, biuro@asgard.opole.pl, www.asgard.opole.pl
Rent a bike In order to rent a bike you have to register on the website www.nextbike.pl. First 20 minutes are free of c harge. The renting stations are located in different places in the city (e.g. near university f acilities, bus stops).
Tennis ‘Hart’ Zawada; 9 SkośnaStreet; tel.07 7 4212475; www.hart-tenis.pl ‘Miejskie Korty Tenisowe’; 51 Oleska Street Reser vation: tel. 501563570 Open from May to October ’SP 15’ Tenis Court; 20 Małopolska Street Opening hours: Ever y day from April to October, from 8:00.
Ice skating 25
’Tor opol’; 13 Norberta Barlic kiego Street; Opening hours: c hec k webpage: www.mosir.opole.pl
Bowling ’Fitlif e’; 11 Oleska Street; 07 7 4 414563; www.kregle.opole.pl
Billard Billard Club ’Zebra’; 31 Chabrów Street, tel. 07 7 4581234, http://www.zebra.opole.pl/
Paintball ’Terenowiec’; 691022182; integracja@terenowiec.com www.terenowiec.com
Zoological Garden
(ZOO)10 Spacerowa Street, tel. 077 4564267, www.zoo.opole.pl, zoo@zoo.opole.pl
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RESTAURANTS, C ANTEENS, C AFES & DISCOS Polish cuisine:
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When you come to Poland eating out is a must. One good dinner and you will quickly notice that Polish cuisine is amazingly rich, tasty and varied. Pick a restaurant and enjoy the food. Soups: • Beetr oot soup (bar szcz) – classic beet root soup usually ser ved with little dumplings filled with meat • Sour Rye soup (żur ek) – number one of the culinar y musts in Poland, a soup flavoured with fermented bread with boiled white sausage, garlic and onion. It may be served in a loaf of bread • Sauerkr aut soup (kapuśniak) – a typical Polish winter soup based on sauerkraut, ribs, mushrooms and onions
Main dish: • Pork c hops with potatoes and salad (schabowy z ziemniakami i surówką) – a classic dinner menu in Polish house accompanied by potatoes puree and side dish of hot cabbage • Hunter s stew (bigos) – Poland national dish made with boiled sauerkraut, sausages, ribs and variety of other ingredients (such as dried plums, venison or mushroom) •Dumplings (pier ogi) – do not leave Poland without tr ying all kinds of them. Dumplings filled with cottage cheese and potatoes or with cabbage and meat (pierogi z serem lub z mięsem i kapustą) •Silesian dumplings (kluski śląskie) •Potato pancakes (plac ki ziemniaczane) – deep fried potato pancakes can be ser ved with salmon and sour cream, sauce or just sprinkling of sugar
Canteens
Kar czma Pod Czer emc hą – 6 Żeromskiego Street Kubuś – 19 1-go Maja Street Quc hnia – 14 Oleska Street; tasty, inexpensive, home-made breakfast, lunch, dinner Star ówka – 19 Krakowska Street S TREFA – 16 Mikołajczyka Street/University Conference Builidng (Łącznik), low -priced, home-made meals in perfect location
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Restaurants, Pubs & Clubs
’Da Enzo’
4b/8 Sosnkowskiego Street If you want to tr y the best Italian food in the city you just cannot miss that place. Italian restaurant with a real recipe of lasagne and unique pizza oven.
’Kim-Lan’
11-13 Krakowska Street Asian cuisine plus the place in the very centre of Opole town square makes it ver y posh and popular. It is not cheap but if you are an e nthusiast of Chinese food you will not regret it.
’Pir amida’
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2a Barlickiego Street The Egyptian look plus its famous international cuisine, worth tr ying – Cheops Pyramid Set. ’Maska & Labor atorium’
4 Rynek Street In two halls you will find the pub and restaurant which ser ves some of the finest Polish dishes in the heart of Opole, next to Town Hall.
’Szar a Willa’
11 Oleska Street, www.szarawilla.pl The complex called Szara Willa consists of hotel, bowling club, fitness club and especially worth recommending are its restaurant and pub. Its elegant interior together with European food makes you never forget that experience.
’Festivalowa’ 3 Kościuszki Street, www.festivalowa.pl Legendar y restaurant in the modern version refers to Opole National Song Festival in its design. Ser ves breakfast as well as regular dinners. ’U Mnic ha ’ 10 Ozimska Street Near the city centre you will savor your taste in original atmosphere of that restaurant. ’Don Vito’ 32 Rynek , www.don-vito.pl Guns hanging on the wall, ‘Sicilian message’ as the name of one of dishes and Don Corleone looking from the entrance door at customers – all this can be found in Don Vito - Italian restaurant and pub in a basement made in the style of Sicilian mob. ’Smaki Świata’ 2-6 Książąt Opolskich Street,Osmańczyka Street Hungarian, Italian, Chinese and Polish cuisine. Ever y day you can find new delights and compose your favourite dish. ’Warka’ 2-6 Książąt Opolskich Street/Osmańczyka Street. The place of a certain style and atmosphere of the original interior of the nineteenth century cellars. The restaurant is spread over three levels, with mysterious passages and nooks and thematic clippings from newspapers that make up perfect character of the pub. restaurant
club
pub
sporting events
karaoke
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’Ludova Bar’ 18 Mały Rynek Fans of lager drinks may find here various kinds of Slovak and Czech beer like Zlaty Bazant, people preferring dark beer will love Litovel dark , and wheat beer lovers should be lured by Velen Garden beer, which has a lime flavour. ’Str yc h’ 7 Rynek , www.str ych-winniarnia.pl The restaurant applies the principles of Slow Food. Meals are prepared with soul, heart and personal participation of the owners. The cuisine is simple, using fresh and healthy local products. Free Wi-Fi. ’Pr ess Caf e Radiowa’ 31
8 Strzelców Bytomskich Street, www.radiowa.opole.pl Cafe Press Radio enjoys modern decor, but match perfectly with the ver y interesting in the era of the Internet and mp3 museum exhibits: audio recording device used by the Opole radio operators in the last centur y and prewar radios. There is no other such publicly accessible collections in Opole! ’Rynek 2’ 2 Rynek , www.r2.opole.pl A two-level restaurant decorated in industrial design. Ver y comfortable, with a large dose of good music. On the premises are hung flat screen T V, what makes it good place to attend sporting events. Specialty - a large selection of drinks, wines and spirits from around the world. ’Melon’ 17 Mały Rynek , www.melon-pub.pl
’Highlander’ 3 Szpitalna Street ’John Bull’ 1 Rynek ’Pub Ostr ówek’ 1 Ostrówek Street ’A qarium’ 145 Franciszkańska Street, www.aqarium.opole.pl ’U Papy Musioła’ 4 Zamkowa Street, www.upapymusiola.pl ’Cina Club’ 55 Katowicka Street ’Dr ake Club’ 42 Grunwaldzka Street, www.drakeclub.pl
Pizza restaurants
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Pizza restaurants in Opole offer their clients delcious pizzas, which may be delivered to your door in the area of the city. All the necessar y information (location, opening hours, contact data and promotions) can be found on the website: www.pizzerie.opole.pl
Opole Specialties ’Gr abówka’ (pancakes), 2 Mozarta Street (Młynówka Canal) It is probably the most famous place in Opole, fabulous pancakes with different fillings, you just can’t miss it. ’Pier ożek’ (dumplings), 6 Kołłątaja Street, 6 Sosnkowskiego Street, Niemodlińska 84 The best Polish dumplings in Opole are ser ved in those three tiny bars restaurant
club
pub
sporting events
karaoke
Cafés ’Dolce Vita’; 33 Krakowska Street www.dolcevita.opole.pl Located in the center of Opole, it is one of the busiest places on Krakowska. Many tourists visit this café and taste the wonderful original Italian ice-creams. However, it is hard to decide whether you like to drink remarkable ice-coffee or tr y Italian tiramisu. Dolce Vita offers unforgettable experience of wonderful tastes.
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Caf é house’Pożegnanie z Afr yką’; 22 Książąt Opolskich Steet, www.pozegnanie.com Extraordinar y climate of this place takes you to the heart of real café house. Drink and relish the fantastic tastes of coffee from all over the world. Ground of espresso, whatever you like. Plus a little shop with coffee accessories. Worth tasting – cheese cake with hot chocolate on the top.
’Ka wiarnia pod Arkadami’; 26 Rynek , www.podarkadami.pl Intimate atmosphere of that cafe plus a wide range of coffee, cakes and desserts makes it worth visiting. ’Caf é Il Bacio’; 12 Krakowska Street The best place to taste wonderful ice-creams and original Italian coffee. ’Book a Coff ee’; 12 Czaplaka Street, www.bookacoffee.pl Location near Opole University Campus, free Wi-Fi access, tasty coffee and wide range of homemade cakes in a competitive prices makes this place full of students all day long. ’Kof eina’; 31/1a Kościuszki Street, kofeinaopole.blogspot.com Freshly roasted espresso coffee, cappuccino and other coffee beverages and chocolates, fresh juices, cakes and snacks. Free Wi–Fi access. ’Kof eina 2.0’; 12 Pl.Teatralny The new café run by the same owners as Kofeina. New location plus new experience for coffee lovers. Free Wi-Fi access. Apart from regular menu based on coffee and sweets you can tr y out new dinner menu. ’Jasminum’; 19a Piastowska Street, www.herbaciarniajasminum.pl A quiet place, full of flavor tea world where time passes slowly and people smile at each other. Enjoy music, books, entertainment and friendly climate. Take a break with a glass of wine, a cold beer, a game of chess or a game of cards among the greener y in the city center!
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C U LTURAL LIFE Jan Koc hanowski Theatr e; 12 Plac Teatralny Street, www.teatrkochanowski.art.pl The dramatic theatre of Opole shows especially Polish classics but is also presenting the new forms of expression from all around the Europe. Ever y year theatre arranges six premieres. The stage of Jan Kochanowski Theatre brings closer the most classic dramas of European writers.
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The Alojzy Smolka Theatr e of Dr ama and Puppetr y; 1A Kośnego Street, www.teatrlalki.opole.pl The theatre was founded in 1937. Ever y year the theatre holds 4 premieres and about 300 performances. It has taken part in many prestigious theatrical festivals all around the Europe. The theatre is mainly designed for children but not only.
Contempor ar y Art Galler y ; (next to the J.Kochanowski Theatre); 12 Plac Teatralny Street The galler y is an organization which popularizes Polish as well as European artists. It promotes artist and students. Ever y winter World Press Photo Exhibition is on display at CAG. The Autumn salon is a prominent presentation of artists, the Opole fine art socety. Opening hours: Mon-Fr 10:00–18:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 16:00. Jan Elsner Philharmonic Hall; 24 Krakowska Street; www.filharmonia.opole.pl The Philharmonic Hall is an institution of over 50 year tradition. The concert hall can seat 400 audiences. It offers regular symphonic concerts, chamber orchestra concert, recitals plus occasional musical events. Helios Cinema; 1 Kopernika Street, www.helios.pl Visit the biggest cinema in the region and feel as you were in the centre of Hollywood. The cinema offers the most popular movies of the season as well as the Thuday’s sessions of Independent Movie. The National Centr e of Polish Song; 14 Piastowska Street, www.ncpp.opole.pl Opole Millennium Amphitheatre hosts the National Festival of Polish Song. Lots of concerts and cultural events take place in here. Small Concert Hall seats approximately 500 people and is a venue where best national bands and artist perform regularly. Art Cellar Galler y promotes young independent artists from various field of art.
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C A LENDAR OF CULTURAL E VENTS Januar y, Februar y • The Carnival Ball in the Contemporar y Art Galler y
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Mar c h Easter Fair – Opole Village Museum – Bierkowice Days of Passion Music Opole Theatre Festival “Polish Classics” – Jan Kochanowski Theatre
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April International Percussion Festival – Philharmonic Days of Opole International Exhibition of Pedigree Dogs Spring Fair of Construction and Building Material and Device
Ma y • Days of Europe • Students’ Cultural Spring – Piastonalia • International Tourism Fairs • National Festival of Puppet Theatre • • •
June National Festival of Polish Song Opole Street Basketball Championships Parade of Street Theatres
July • Sunday Promenade Concerts – The Freedom Square • Open Air Theatre – the Amphitheatre • •
August Knights Tournament – Museum of Opole Countr yside and Farming Jazz Rock Meeting
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September European Championships of Street Dancing Franciscans Fair Festival of Science
October • National Festival of Independent Films – “Opolskie Lamy” • International Festival of Percussion • Autumn Arts&Crafts Fair • Opole Songwriters Festival • • • •
November Week of Academic Culture Festival of Silesian Composers Exhibition of Minerals and Gems City New Year’s Eve by the City Hall
National Holida ys in Poland: In those da ys banks, shops and public institution ar e closed. - - - - - - - - - - -
August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mar y, also Polish Army Day November 1 All Saints’ Day November 11 Independence Day (Nov 11, 1918) December 25 First Day of Christmas December 26 Second Day of Christmas Januar y 1 New Year’s Day Januar y 6 Three Kings Day May 1 Labour Day May 3 Constitution Day (May 3, 1791) May 19 (2013) Pentecost Sunday May 30 (2013) Corpus Christi
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T RAVELING AROUND If you plan to relax and visit some interesting places, Poland is a perfect countr y for you! In the north there is the Baltic Sea with vibrant resorts, such as Gdańsk , Gdynia, Sopot or Szczecin, where you can sunbath on the sandy beaches, explore the sea or take a stroll in one of the tourist-tailored cities. The landscape of the southern Poland consists of mountain ranges: Tatr y, Bieszczady and Pieniny. Both in the north and south there are impressing lakes where you can sail or rent a water bike or a canoe. Poland can also boast of some ancient monuments and castles spread over its territor y. 39
Cr acow and Wieliczka – Wieliczka is a salt mine near Cracow and the only one in the world that has been working for 700 years! There you can see some stunning chambers and places where salt is extracted. Cracow, on the other hand, is the historic city. Its monuments and churches are impressive and attract tourists both from Poland and abroad. It is a great fun to have a ride around the square in of the hackney coaches. War sa w – the capital of Poland. It can boast of numerous monuments and sculptures, such as the Royal Castle and the Column of King Zygmunt III Vasa at the Castle Square
Zakopane – the most famous resort in Poland where one can enjoy both summer and winter holidays. The city is located in the highest mountains in Poland, about 100 km south to Crakow. It is famous for its fabulous skiing conditions, beautiful views, tourist attractions and regional culture. If you are lucky, you may meet highlanders wearing colourful folk costumes and singing their traditional songs. Bieszczady Mountains and Solińskie Lake – located in the north-eastern Poland are the paradise for water and mountain fans. There one can swim or sail on the clear water, breath fresh air and climb the mountains... Perfect!
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Błędowska Desert – it may be quite a surprise for foreigners that in Poland there is a desert, but it is true! Located near Olkusz, the desert is 8 kilometres long vvvand 4 kilometres wide.
P R ACTIC AL INFO Weather Poland has a moderate climate with hot summers and cold Winters. Seasons tend to be more pronounced than in the west and temperatures can get down as low as -20 C in Winter and as high as +30 C in Summer. The coldest weather tends to hit around Februar y.
Currency The only accepted currency in Poland is ZŁOT Y (zł), so you have to exchange your money already at the airport. Don’t exchange too much because rates at airports are low. Usually 1 EUR = 4.10 PLN (zł). 41
Mobile Phone Mobile phone operators on Polish market are Orange, T-Mobile, Heyah, Plus, Play. To have a Polish mobile number, buy the SIM card of one of the mobile providers. These are located around the city centre or in major shopping centers. There, and also in kiosks you can buy a prepaid card to charge your phone. The time of validity of a card depends on the price (the more expensive the more days valid). It is also cheaper to contact a person that has a number of the same operator, for example Orange with Orange etc. The operators inform the clients about promotions via SMS. It is usually cost- effective to take the opportunity. The SMS are in Polish so you may ask a Polish friend to help you in translation.
Toilets Generally speaking toilets in Poland come marked with a circle for women and triangle for men. Some restaurants and bars still charge a nominal fee for use of their facilities. Keep small change handy.
Tipping Polish restaurants tipping etiquette can be confusing for foreigners. While in other countries it is normal to say thanks when a waiter collects the money, you will be horrified to learn that in Poland the word thank you is the sign that you will not be waiting for any change back . Say thank you after you receive the change. If you do want to make a tip better do it in cash rather than adding into your credit card payment.
Smoking Smoking is prohibited in all public places including hospitals, trains and buses, offices, restaurants and pubs, bus and tram stops, railway stations and airports, etc. Smoking in public places is allowed only in special zones created for smokers.
Drinking Drinking alcohol (including beer) is forbidden in public places except special areas in restaurant summer gardens. The fine for drinking alcohol on a bus is 100zł and is higher in other public places. Drinking is strictly prohibited in par ks, in the vicinity of night shops and railway stations. We advise you strongly to respect these regulations.
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Polish Water
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Though officially stamped as safe to drink, hypochondriacs and others with a weak constitution may want to avoid drinking Polish tap water. Indeed, despite it never giving us any problems, the locals still regularly scold us for drinking from the tap. The antique plumbing in many buildings can also affect the water quality, so to play it safe we recommend you just drink bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Tourists from countries where the right to drink water is a guaranteed freedom may be surprised to find that water is not complimentar y in Polish restaurants. In fact it is downright expensive and comes in a tiny glass that will barely wet your thirst. By comparison, beer is a much better value as you get more than twice as much for only a couple złoty more. If you are still set on drinking water with your meal, be prepared to declare a preference between gazowana (sparkling water) and niegazowana (still water).
List of currency exchange offices
Most of the currency exchange offices are open from Monday to Friday 9:00-17:00. • 16 Sosnkowskiego Street (in the supermarket Real) • The corner of Żeromskiego and Grunwaldzka Streets (in front of Helios cinema) • 13 Plac Teatralny Street (in Opolanin Galler y) • 45 Krakowska Street (in Arkadia Galler y)
Currency Exchange points in the banks listed below: • CITI Bank , 29 1-go Maja Street • ING Bank , 2 Zwierzyniecka Street (in the center of Opole) • Narodowy Bank Polski (National Bank of Poland), 2 B Damrota Street
Cashpoints in Opole: • BZWBK, 6 Ozimska Street BZWBK, 4 Spychalskiego Street • BZWBK, 17 Grota-Roweckiego Street • BZWBK, 1 Maja Street • CITI,1 Krakowska Street • EURONET, 18 Szewska Street Oddział Banku - Lukas Bank • EURONET, 7-11 Kościuszki Street • EURONET, 16 Sosnkowskiego Street Supermarket ‘Real’ • PEKAO SA, 5 Mikołajczyka Street • PEKAO SA, Rynek – Town Hall - Urząd Miejski • PEKAO SA, 14 Wiejska Street Supermarket Castorama • PEKAO SA, 4a Sosnkowskiego Street • Kredyt Bank SA, 6 Sosnkowskiego Street • ING Bank Śąski, 6 Sosnkowskiego Street
‘Round the clock’ pharmacies: • ‘Aleja Witosa‘ 2 Tarnopolska Street • ‘Całodobowa‘ 19 Ozimska Street • ‘Na dobre i na złe” 44 Krakowska Street • ‘Na Rondzie‘ 48 Książąt Opolskich Street
Polish National Post Office Main headquarters is open round the clock: 46 Krakowska Street (next to the Railway Station) http://www.poczta-polska.pl
In case of emergancy
• Mobile phone emergency number: 112 • Ambulance: 999 • Fire Brigade: 998 • Police: 997
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Hospitals: • 26 Witosa Street • 64 Katowicka Street Health centr es: • ‘ZWM Malinka‘, 72 Szar ych Szeregów Street • ‘EUROMED‘ , 40 Sosnkowskiego Street
Shops and shopping centers: BIEDRONKA SHOP 140 Wiejska Street, 104 Oleska Street A discount store. Competitive prices and a broad range of products. SUPERMARKET REAL 16 Sosnkowskiego Street Apart from a large super market where one can find: currency exchange office, post office, laundr y, offices of Polish mobile operators as well as a cake shop. 45
SUPERMARKET TESCO19 Ozimska Street, New Tesco Galler y. Supermarket and small shops around it, such as clothes shop Monnari, shoes store Deichmann and jewellr y store. SHOPPING MALL KAROLINKA, 170 Wrocławska Street Supermarket Real plus 100 small shops and boutiques. ARKADIA GALLERY, 45/46Krakowska Street Shopping centre with Empik (bookshop), Superpharm (pharmacy) and Smyk (shop for children). SHOPPING MALL SOLARIS A three-storey shopping center located on 16 Kopernika Square. With 86 shops, cafes and restaurants, one can be spoilt for choice!
Cost of living in Opole Opole is a specific city, as for the center of Lower Silesia it is not an inexpensive place to live, as many tourists especially from Germany visit Opole each year, therefore prices are higher than in other parts of Silesia. Still, not as high as in the capital and other major cities. 1 Euro – 4.10 PLN 1 $ - 3.00 PLN 1 £ - 5.30 PLN Bread Butter Milk Cream Cottage Cheese Cheese Ham
3zł 3,5 zł 2 zł 1.5 zł 2.5 zł 4 zł /150g 2 zł /100g
Tomato 4 zł /kg Red Pepper 6 zł /kg Sugar 3 zł /kg Flour 2.5 zł /kg Salt 1 zł /kg Beer 3.5 zł /per can Cigarettes 12 zł
Hairdresser: hair cut 40 - 60 zł, hair-dying 60-120 zł Barber: 10 - 25 zł
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Chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie w Szczebrzeszynie, w szczękach chrząszcza trzeszczy miąższ, czcza szczypawka czka w Szczecinie, chrząszcza szczudłem przechrzcił wąż, strząsa skrzydła z dżdżu, a trzmiel w puszczy, tuż przy Pszczynie, straszny wszczyna szum...
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U SEFUL E XPRESSIONS Basic pr onunciation of Polish vowels ‘ą’ sounds like ‘on’ in the French ‘bon’ ‘ę’ sounds like ‘en’ as in the French ‘bien’ ‘ó’ is an open ‘o’ sound like ‘oo’ in ‘boot’ Basic pr onunciation of consonants ‘c’ like the ‘ts’ in ‘bits’‘ j’ like the ‘y’ in ‘yeah’ ‘w’ is pronounced like the English ‘v’ ‘ł’ like the ‘w’ in ‘win’ ‘ń’ like the ‘ny’ in ‘canyon’ ‘cz’ and ‘ć’ like the ‘ch’ in ‘beach’ ‘dz’ like the ‘ds’ in ‘beds’ ‘rz’ and ‘ż’ like the ‘su’ in ‘treasure’ ‘sz’ and ‘ś’ like the ‘sh’ in ‘ship’ ‘drz’ like the ‘g’ in ‘George’ is always rolled and stress is generally always on the second to last syllable. Think you’ve got that? Her e ar e some wor ds and phr ases to get you started: Da y to da y expr essions cześć (cheshch) hi/bye dzień dobr y (jen do-bri) good morning/afternoon dobr y wieczór (do-bri vyeh-choor) good evening dobranoc (dobrah-nots) good night tak (tahk) yes nie (nyeh) no proszę (prosheh) please
na zdrowie dziękuję przepraszam kocham cię Mam na imię Jestem z Anglii
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(nah zdrovyeh) cheers (jen-koo-yeh) thank you (psheh-prasham) sorr y (koham tshe) I love you (mam nah ee-myeh) My name is (yehstem zanglee) I am from England
Necessities • Gdzie są toalety? (gdjeh song toalety) Where are the toilets? • Czy mówisz po angielsku? (che mooveesh poangyelskoo?) Do you speak English? • Nie mówię po polsku (nyeh moovyeh popolskoo) I don’t speak Polish • Proszę to napisać (prosheh tohnapeesatch) Please write it down • Czy można tu palić (che mohzhnah toopaleech?) Can I smoke here? • Jedno piwo poproszę (yedno peevopohprosheh) One beer please Number s 1 jeden 2 dwa 3 trzy 10 dziesięć
yehden dva tshi jayshench
Gener al Airport Train station Bus station Right/left One ticket to First/second class
lotnisko dworzec PKP dworzec PKS prawo/lewo jeden bilet do pier wsza/druga klasa
C ONTACT I NFORM ATION OPOLE UNIVERSIT Y OF TECHNOLOGY International Relations Office ul. Mikołajczyka 5 45-271 Opole POLAND Tel: (0048 77) 449 8512 Fax: (0048 77) 449 9908 E-mail: iro@po.opole.pl www.iro.po.opole.pl Piotr Kokor czak Head of the Office Tel. (+48 77) 449 8512 e-mail: p.kokorczak@po.opole.pl Elżbieta Cieślak Erasmus LLP Institutional Coordinator Tel. (+48 77) 449 8515 e-mail: e.cieslak@po.opole.pl Anna Witelus Erasmus Incoming Student Advisor tel. (+48 77) 449 8514 e-mail: a.witelus@po.opole.pl Małgorzata Nowic ka-Zając Erasmus Advisor tel. (+48 77) 449 8515 e-mail: m.nowicka@po.opole.pl
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