In comparison to other European countries Poland is a relatively cheap place to live and study. Prices depend greatly on the city (Lublin is one of the cheapest cities) and on the lifestyle of a particular person. Students may get by with about 300-400 € at their monthly disposal.
Below are some examples to give an idea of the amounts students usually spend per month.
Monthly expenses (on average)
➯ Rent in a shared flat (or dormitory) – 100-200 €
➯ Food – 100-150 €
➯ Transportation – 15-20 €
➯ Telephone/mobile, internet, – 20-30 €
➯ Study materials – 30-50 €
➯ Other expenses (leisure/entertainment) – 70-100 €
There are many different forms of sports activities available in Lublin. In summer, you can swim in the Zemborzycki Reservoir, go kayaking on the Bystrzyca River, or even try water skiing. In winter you can take up ice-skating or skiing.
If you’re into cultural activities, Lublin is the great place for you, since it is a cultural centre of the east of Poland. The rich variety of cultural events includes music festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, meetings, and panel sessions. If you would like to try real student experience, you should go to one of many different music clubs. Everyone will find something suitable.
Lublin offers a lot of bus lines, and there are also weekday and weekend night bus services. If you need more information on city public transport, check one of these websites: mpk.lublin.pl/en or lublin.jakdojade.pl
Bus tickets are available in various small shops, newsagents and ticket machines. It is important to validate a ticket inside the bus, because when you don’t have a valid ticket, you’ll pay a fine. A regular ticket costs 0.7 € (3.20 PLN), which is valid for 30 minutes when you change the bus, or along the entire route of the bus line. Students under 26 can buy tickets for half the price.
If you want to save money, you should invest in a long-term, electronic ticket, about which you can read more on our website, at vpu.edu.pl/communication
There are different forms of housing available for students, including rooms in residence halls and rooms in shared student flats. The average cost of housing, depending on the chosen type of accommodation, varies between 100-200 €.
Shopping for groceries in Lublin won’t ruin your finances. As might be expected, the lowest prices of food are offered in supermarkets and open-air markets. Here are some sample prices:
➯ a loaf of bread: 0.6-0.8 €
➯ a 1.5l bottle of mineral water: : 0.6-0.8 €
➯ a litre of milk: 0.7 €
➯ a hamburger: 1.3 – 2.5 €
➯ a 0.5 litre Coke: 0.65 €
➯ a cup of coffee: 1.3-3.75 €
➯ a pack of cigarettes: 2.5-3.75 €
Poland is a country where the metric system is used for all types of measurements (length, weight, volume). If you need to convert units of measurement, use the following website: www.metric-conversions.org
Lublin is situated in the south-eastern Poland, near the Eastern border of the European Union. It is called “city of inspiration”, because it is a historical place, located in a multi-cultural melting pot. Historical places worth seeing include: Lublin Castle, Lublin Old Town, The Cracow Gate, The Crown Tribunal and Open-air Village Museum. Lublin can be called “the capital of festivals”, since several cultural events are held here, including the following:
➯ Art-Masters Carnival – a presentation of current carnivalesque art through its signs new circus and busking art
➯ Culture Night – a variety of events available free of charge, including theatre plays, music concerts, exhibitions, film shows an street performances. Visitors can also visit many cultural institutions in the city.
➯ Jagiellonian Fair – the promotion of common Eastern and Western heritage, drawing upon the tradition of fairs in the 15th and 16th centuries. This event attracts various artists and craftspeople from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and many other European countries.
➯ Yearly Student Carnival – student holiday including many student parties, concerts, and cultural events, held every year in May/June.
➯ International Theatre Festival “Confrontations
➯ Festival of Alternative Culture.