|
|
Practical information
 Academic year
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
 autumn semester - from the end of September until mid-February
spring semester - from mid-February until the end of June.
Each semester lasts 15 weeks. Examination sessions take place in late January and in June. In September, however, there is a supplementary one for those students who did not succeed during June examination sessions.
During the academic year there are 3 breaks about one-week long each: for Christmas, between the two semesters and for Easter.
All those dates vary from year to year and they are established each June for the comming academic year.
|
|
Students willing to try their hand at organizational activities are welcome to the Student Government. The organization deals with all vital student problems, from the allocation of places in halls of residence, through all social issues to organization of cultural and sport life.
|  |
|
Accomodation
Almost 2900 students live in purpose-built halls of residencein the University Campus, which is only five to ten-minute-walkfrom all faculties.
The accommodation consist of fully furnished bedrooms. There are double rooms with kitchen, toilet and bathroom shared on each floor or two rooms (two beds per room) arranged in groups, which share a common toilet and bathroom. Most students housing areas have also loundry rooms.
The proce od a shared room is approximately 70 EUR a month per person. The rent must be paid every month, till the 15th day od the month, to the dormitory bank account with the use of the bank transfer form avaialbe from the dormitory reception.
Students are required to clean their rooms themselves.
TUL cannot guarantee placement in the University Campus because the accommodation possibilities are limited. But international students who notify in advance the Student Affairs Office of their intention to live in halls of residence should easily get the place.
Information about private rented accommodation in the city can be obtained from local newspapers. Private accommodation needs more careful planning and the price depends on the various factors, in particular the distance from TUL, the quality of the flat and the facilities made available by the householder.
|
Cost of living
Naturally, the cost of living varies from the student. The daily necessities like food and clothing are still relatively inexpensive by western standards.
Polish currency (PLN) is counted in złoty (zł.) and grosz (gr.) 100 groszy = 1 złoty.
Coins are issued in 10 gr., 20 gr., 50 gr., 1 zł., 2 zł., 5 zł.
Bank notes are issued in 10 zł., 20 zł., 50 zł., 100 zł, 200 zł.
To give some idea of the cost of living in Lodz here are some expenses:
accommodation in a hall of residence (double room) 300 PLN per month
private accommodation (bedsitter) 700 PLN per month
lunch in a student canteen 8 PLN
lunch outside Campus 15-30 PLN
Sample prices of some googs:
milk 2,5 - 3 PLN/1l
bread 2 PLN/loaf
butter 3 PLN/200g
cheese 17-25 PLN/kg
meat 10-25 PLN/kg
fish 15-25 PLN/kg
eggs 0,50 PLN/each
pasta 3 PLN/0,5kg
rice 4 PLN/0,5kg
apples 2,5 PLN/kg
chocolate 3 PLN/bar
mineral water 2 PLN/1,5l
beer 3-10 PLN/0,5l
cinema 20 PLN/ticket
single 30-minute-ride bus or tram ticket 2,4 PLN (normal fare) and 1,20 PLN (student fare)
Food prices may differ from one store to another and they depend on the season. Friut and vegetables are cheaper in summer than in winter.
Most grocery stores are open 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Saturday they close early afternoon. Some local shops are open on Sundays as well.
Supermarekts are open seven days a week, often till late. There are also shops open 24 hours a day.
Meals
On the University Campus there is a student canteen which is just a few-minute walk from all halls of residence. It serves excellent home-made food at very reasonable prices. Regular two-course meal costs 2 EUR and a vegetarian one costs 1,5 EUR.
TUL provides catering services in the majority of buildings ranging from beverage/snack service to more substantial meals. Practically, in every faculty's building there is a small bar offering sandwiches, snacks, hot dishes, sweets, coffee and much more. They are open from early morning until late afternoon. On Campus there are also bars where it is possible to get a cheap meal. They offer light snacks and main meals at lunchtime.
Medical facilities
Adamed Clinic is a public health care provider in the University Campus. It covers wide range of medical and dental services. Nevertheless, free dental services are available only at a limited scope. Students have to cover costs of over standard services and materials on their own.
One can also visit private clinics and laboratories (often quite expensive), whose addresses and phone numbers are easily reached in daily newspapers.
Primary health care comprises examination and consultation by a general practitioner. A doctor may also refer a student to diagnostic tests, to specialist or to a hospital.
The prescribed medicine must be bought at the chemists'. They open during normal business hours, however, some cover late and night openings, Sundays and public holidays as well.
|
The value of złoty fo October 2008 is as follows:
1USD=2,70PLN 1DDK=0,48PLN 1EUR=3,60PLN
1GBF= 4,60PLN 1SEK=0,36PLN 1NOK=0,40PLN
Since the rates recently vary quite significantly, please follow the actual information given on the website of the NBP - National Bank of Poland: www.nbp.pl
|  |
|
Insurance
Before coming to Poland all foreign students are asked to provide themselves with proper civil liability and accident insurance.
As for health insurance all registered full-time and exchange students are entitled to receive free health care services from health care providers who have concluded contracts with the National Health Fund (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia - NFZ, www.nfz.gov.pl). Facilities of these health care providers are market with logo of NFZ.
Students who want to use public health service and benefit from free medical care are obliged to present their student ID card and:
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - for UE citizens (every UE student entering Poland should have the EHIC which guarantees access to medical services)
confirmation of health fee payment - for non-UE citizens who joined the public health insurance plan operated by NFZ (all the first year student are asked to join NFZ insurance plan as the health fee is relative low)
Foreign students from non-UE countries who procure themselves with proper medical insurance in their country and after coming to Poland do not join NFZ insurance plan, are charged for medical care both at public and private health services (unless their insurance policy covers free medical treatment abroad based on seperate regulations).
Sport facilities
TUL has its own Sports Centre. Training sections can use three large game halls, a smaller gym and a playing field.
Beside general fitness courses, like callanetics and aerobics, students can choose among the following sections:
volleyball, basketball, judo, football, handball, athletics, badminton, tennis, table tennis, ice-skating, taekwondo, rock-climbing, yoga, body-building.
Once a month there is a "free recreation Saturday" when all students have the opportunity to use the equipment, the game halls and gym freely.
Sport activities are not limited to Campus area. TUL staff advices students on other sport facilities available in Lodz.
Library
Any registered student (with the special library ID card) may use the institute, faculty and main library (www.bg.p.lodz.pl). At TUL Main Library computer-based system is installed to handle library procedures. Photocopying machines are widely avaiable at university, in library and many other places in the city.
Computer network
TUL has na extensive computer network that provides gateways to both national and international networks. It interconnects all the university units as well as halls of residence. Free of charge access to computers connected to the Internet is available at many faculties. A number of computers for students' usage is also available at TUL Main Library. In every hall of residence there is a broadband (LAN) network connection with access to the Internet available at a nominal price (paid on a biannual basis). The network administrator of each hall of residence is responsible for connecting new users.
Foreign Language Centre
All students have a great opportunity to learn modern languages. The Foreign Language Centre runs courses of English, French, German, Spanish, Russian and special Polish courses free of charge for international students.
Leisure
The city of Lodz offers students a lot of attractions:
cinemas (including multiplex, Charlie cinema for connesseurs), theatres (Great Theatre - opera and ballet, Music Theatre - operetas), museums (Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Textile Industry and Museum of the Lodz City's History in authentic Palace of Izrael Poznański), historical and architectural sites (monumental complex of factory premises and residential buildings called Księży Młyn, unique Jewish cemetery), sport premises (ice-rinks, swimming pools, aquaparks, tennis courts, football pitches), open-air events, music clubs, pubs.
|
|
|
