Studying in Opole
276 international students joined us at Opole University during the academic year 2013/2014. 79 of them came here within the framework of Erasmus mobility programme. Learn how some of them experienced living in Opole and having classes at the Institute of Sociology. If you wonder what do they refer to while discussing spending free time in Opole, please head to a website we crafted for you: hello.uni.opole.pl
Sofia
Sociology, Panteion University of Athens, Greecein Opole during 2012/13 academic year
Coming from a city of 6 million inhabitants, it was very pleasant to live in a small city like Opole. I love the fact that the city is so close to nature, that everything is in a walking distance, that the center of the city is so well preserved and that the people are so calm, helpful and friendly.
Where did you hang out in Opole? What do you do there?
I loved spending time in the university campus, for barbeques and picnics with friends, going bike riding or just walking next to the river, and of course on Bolko island, one of the most beautiful places in Opole. At nights, we were always going for drinks at Piwiarnia Staromiejska, especially on Tuesdays to sing karaoke. But I also loved spending time in my dormitory, Akademik Niechcic, because there was always something funny and crazy going on!
I chose Opole as a city in general because I wanted to experience something completely different from my reality. It looked beautiful in the pictures, and I was sure from the start that the academic experience in Opole University would be something different, but very interesting and positive.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
My greatest passions in life are reading books (any kind!) and travelling (everywhere!). I also enjoy watching films, visiting museums, meeting with friends and learning languages.What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
Hard to say. I’m interested in working in organisations that deal with the rehabilitation/social inclusion of groups such as drug addicts, homeless people or even immigrants. On the other hand, I’m also interested in teaching languages or sociology.What is your favourite place in Opole?
It’s very difficult to pick just one. I have very precious memories from many places in this city, such as Piwiarnia Staromiejska and Akademik Niechcic. If I had to pick just one, right now I would say the lake on Bolko Island on a summer night, because you can see all the stars in the sky. But in a way, the whole city is my favourite place – my favourite place in the world.
Nesrin
International relations, Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey
in Opole during 2012/2013 academic year
What were you enjoying the most in Opole?
There were many things I was enjoying in Opole… Actually everything… Everything in Opole… Let’s start with eating PIEROGI RUSKIE! Walking around, riding a bike, going to swim to Slesia Lake or Bolko Lake. Spending all nights in Piwiarnia Staromejska with my crazy Erasmus friends. And my internship in Gazeta Wyborcza Newspaper of Opole. Also I have to add all lecturers in Institute of Sociology, I was enjoying and learning at the same time. Barbeque in the campus… My Erasmus summer internship in Institute of Sociology and working for the project (www.hello.uni.opole.pl). Also going to Zoo, I was enjoying too much to be in insect house it was too creepy. I am sure I couldn’t write everything because there were so many things I was enjoying in Opole… Kocham Opole.
I have been in outside if I had free time.. Walking around Odra river and Bolko island or riding bike all around amazing Opole. And mostly I was going out with my Erasmus friends to Piwiarnia Staromiejska to have fun and play chess with Staszek (the owner of the pub). I was addicted to sightseeings Opole. I wish I could be there more.
Why did you choose Opole University on Erasmus?
I had some options to choose country for Erasmus. Poland was my second option. I didn’t know that it is Opole University. Actually when the results were published in my home university I was disappointed because I was dreaming to go to Sweden. But when I came to Opole and started to live in this amazing city I was glad to be there. I wouldn’t switch Opole University with another university. My Erasmus experience in Collegium Civitas/Opole University is the best thing what I have ever done in my life.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
I can start with horse-riding. I like to do volunteering, if you are a volunteer you can do everything and I like to do everything. Riding-bike, baking, reading etc…What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
I would like to work in an international NGO as a project manager or leader. Actually my dream is to work for UNICEF or UNESCO abroad, hope I can manage. I have many experiences as a volunteer in national or international organizations and I really want to use all my experience in my career. I want to learn more and improve in this area.What is your favourite place in Opole?
I want to answer : EVERYWHERE! There is no place I do not like in Opole! Because Opole is the best in Poland! First Piwiarnia Staromiejska (the pub of Staszek). Great Rynek of Opole, and all walking paths of Odra river banks, the campus of Opole University, Collegium Civitas/Socjolab, Bolko island, Silesia lake, all cafes and restaurants and Pierogarnias! I am really addicted to Opole really, this question is hard for me to answer, every part of Opole is my favorite place. KOCHAM OPOLE!
In addition, I had a chance to come to Opole again on February 2014 till April. It was like a miracle to be in Opole again. And when I came back there again I can really honestly say that I realized again that EVERY PLACE OF OPOLE IS MY FAVOURITE PLACE. Because Opole is my favorite place itself in the world! I was doing short term EVS/ volunteering in Bystrycza Kłodzka for EFM and on my free times I had chances to visit Opole again two times to see all amazing places of Opole and my dear Polish friends and teachers.
Kocham Opole! Kocham Uniwersytet Opolski! Kocham Intstytut Socjologi!Ilhan
Sociology, Yuzuncu Yil University of Van, Turkey
in Opole during 2013/14 academic year
What are you enjoying the most in Opole?
I'm having a lot of great time in Opole plus l like traveling and visiting other cities.Where do you hang out in Opole? What do you do there?
I’m spending a lot of time near Odra river. I go there to rest and walk.Why did you choose Opole University for your Erasmus stay?
Because I was curious about Opole and for me it is cheaper than other places.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
I'm interested in education, meeting new people and spending free time in interesting places with good music and delicious meals.What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
I will work in Turkey hopefully doing some research, because I think I'm good in it.What is your favourite place in Opole?
Odra river and Cina club.
Juan José
Political science, Pablo de Olavide University of Sevilla, Spain
in Opole during 2012/13 academic year
What were you enjoying the most in Opole?Living with other Erasmus people and the city.Where did you hang out in Opole? What did you do there?
In Niechcic dormitory and in some pubs.Why did you choose Opole University for Erasmus?
I wanted to go to Krakow, where I was not admitted, and Opole was my second choice. I just wanted to go to Poland.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
Films, series, books and music.What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
I'd like to work in an international organization, but I still do not know on what kind of position.What is your favourite place in Opole?
Niechcic Dormitory and the rynek (town hall/market square).
Umud
International relations, Black Sea Technical University of Trabzon, Turkey (coming from Azerbaijan)
in Opole during 2013/14 academic year
What are you enjoying the most in Opole?There is no one single special thing that I am enjoying here, but a few of them: the university is good, the teachers are better than at my home university, life is good because the atmosphere is more relaxed here.Where do you hang out in Opole? What do you do there?
For walking - areas of Odra river, Bolko island for hanging out and spending time with friends there are some clubs, but for partying the best place is Niechcic dorm ;)Why did you choose Opole University for your Erasmus stay?
First I was accepted to the university in France but my friends suggested me to go to Poland and now I can see they were right. So I switched with my friend, he went to France and I came to Opole.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
I like to have good time with good people, to have really good friends and the rest comes by itself.What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
In the future I want to do my own business, I definitely do not want to work for government.What is your favourite place in Opole?
Of course Niechcic dormitory. ;)
Yusuf
Public administration, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
in Opole during 2013/14 academic year
What are you enjoying the most in Opole?
I enjoy going to clubs the most and being able to have fun. Otherwise there is not much to do in Opole because it is a bit small city.Where do you hang out in Opole? What do you do there?
I always spend time near Odra river in my free time. I always sit, wander and smoke with my friends especially when the weather is nice.Why did you choose Opole University for your Erasmus stay?
Actually before I came to Opole I had no idea about this city and I had to choose one of three cities in Poland. I took my exam for Erasmus and I got to Opole University, but on the other hand I was curious about Polish culture, Polish people, their food and how they live.What are you interested in? Tell us about your hobbies.
I'm interested in traveling to see new countries, new cities, getting to know new cultures and meeting new friends.What are your plans for future, after you graduate?
In the future I would like to work in Turkey. I would like to get master degree in my field and after that I would like to work at public office or in a bank.What is your favorite place in Opole?
My favorite place is Odra river, Warka pub and places around rynek (the town hall or market square).
Collected by Katarzyna Nowak (undergraduate sociology student) with a help of Weronika Wilk (graduate sociology student).