HOPE INTERNATIONAL POLAND

VISA INFORMATION

Visa or Residency Permit Card All foreign students are obliged to apply for a student visa, which can be issued at the Embassies or Consulates of the Republic of Poland situated on the territory of their native countries. Having come to Poland without a visa all foreign students are required to arrange their Residency Permit Card formalities immediately. Residency Permit Card – it’s like student visa but applying takes so much time and attention, which you need for study. Due to complex and time-consuming procedure of applying for the Residency Permit Card (round 2 months) it is more convenient to apply for a student visa in your own country. Application must be submitted at least 45 days prior to the expiration date of the current Residency Permit Card, Visa or EU Border Crossing Stamp. If the application has been proposed less than 45 days, you shall be obliged to leave the territory of EU Students themselves are obliged to observe the deadlines of documents submission and collect all required documents. We do not take any responsibility for consequences of non-fulfilment of Students' obligations. It’s your Residency Card and you should take care of it. Your personal attendance is required when you submit documents and pick up your Card. All required documents you have collect by yourself. Of course if you decide to apply for residency card we will give you all nessesary information and support.

Visa or Residency Permit Card Students need visas, issued at the Polish Embassies or Consulates in their countries No possibility to issue or extend visa on the territory of Poland. In Poland you can only apply for the Residency Permit Card. Residency Permit Card – like student visa but applying takes so much time and attention, which you need for study. Upon arrival to Poland without visa students are required to apply for Residency Permit Card immediately. Complex and time-consuming procedure of applying for the Residency Permit Card - more convenient to apply for a student visa. Of course if you decide to apply for residency card we will give you all nessesary information and support. Students’ personal attendance - required when submit documents and pick up Residency Card. Students themselves are obliged to observe the deadlines of documents submission and collect all required documents. If the application has been proposed less than 45 days, you shall be obliged to leave the territory of UE

Visa or Residency Permit Card VS Student Visa Residency Permit Card Applying takes only 1 week Only few required documents You can do it by mail Apply in your in country. Form can be completed in English Fees (cheap, sometimes free) Valid 1 year No deadlines Long procedure (about 2 months) Many required documents (about 10) Your personal attendance is required Apply in Poland Form has to be completed in Polish Fees (about 200 USD) Valid 1 year Deadline – must apply 45 days before expiration of your legal stay in EU

YOUR CHOICE IS EASY GET YOUR STUDENT VISA

Katowice Airport (KTW) Students enrolled to Silesian Medical University recommend to arrive at the Katowice Airport The airport is situated 22 miles north of Katowice city center. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the Student Campus.

ACCOMODATION – Dorms It is recommended for students of the first year to live in dormitories which is near The Medical University . In two buildings there are 164 rooms prepared for American students. The place offer four kinds of accommodation, you can live in a self contained: Single room – size 21 m2 for $290 per month Double room – size 21 m2 for $330 per month Large room – size 27 m2 for $320 per month Double room – size 27 m2 for $340 per month Rooms are furnished with studying table, chair, bed, couch. There are bathroom and kitchen in each room An accessible internet in every room. On each floor there are washing machines, which are shared. Students are requested to settle a washing time graphic so everyone knows when to use it. Students’ relatives and friends have a possibility to accommodate themselves at guest rooms priced at PLN 60 ($30) per day. The campus is watched by the police with more attention, and dorms are protected by a proffesional company Solid Security

Student’s Campus 3 min by walk to get to the Dean’s Office or School Dorm’s 3 min by walk to get to the Dean’s Office or School

Dorms office For room reservation please contact the dorm’s office: Zespół Domów Studenckich ul. Medyków 24 40-752 Katowice POLAND Phone: 011 48 32 208 85 70 Fax: 011 48 32 252 80 18 E-mail: dormsoffice@yahoo.com dormsoffice@hotmail.com

USEFUL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION SHOPPING - you can get anything you need in Poland.There are many shopping centers (IKEA,REAL,SILESIA CITY CENTER) .You can take some oriental spices with you. TRANSPORT - Buses (it takes approximatelly 30 min to get to the center of Katowice) - Taxi ( around 20 zl ($7 ) to get to the center) - Trains, Trams (around 2,50 zl ($1) for a single ticket to get to the center) ENTERNTAINMENT There are many interesting places in Katowice like clubs, pubs,restaurants (indian,chinese,japanese), cinema cities, theatres, museums, galeries, bowling alleys, gyms, water world, ice rink, horse riding clubs etc.

Currency Polish currency is „złoty” 1 złoty = 100 groszy Exchange money offices called ”Kantor” are in all Polish towns and at the Airports. Their exchange rates are better than in Bank. Euros has not been circulated in Poland yet, so there is no sense to bring this currency with you. Average exchange rates: 1 USD = 2,16 PLN 1CAD = 2,03 PLN 1 EUR = 3,25 PLN

Polish money

Voltage differences Voltage in the world differs for some countries 230 volt or 110 volts. Plug shapes, plug holes and plug sizes are also different. In USA and Canada run on 110 volt 60 Hz and in Poland run on 230 volt 50 Hz. This difference in the voltage can be solved by using an appropriate voltage converter. Plug adapters only change the plug shape and not the electricity. They are simply designed as solutions to the electric wall outlet configuration problem.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Calling to POLAND International Access Code from USA and Canada 011 Country code 48 Katowice area code 32 To land line dial: To mobile phone dial: 011 48 32 2088741 011 48 506902805 Area code Access Code Country code Number

Contact Information Hope International ul. Medyków 26/12 40-752 Katowice POLAND Phone/Fax: 011 48 32 20 88 741 Website: www.hope.com.pl E-mail: drshamcader@yahoo.com tojama@poczta.onet.pl patrycja_hope@hotmail.com

WWW.HOPE.COM.PL OUR WEBSITE To find more information or download presentation visit: WWW.HOPE.COM.PL