Personal Erasmus Report Name: Mehmet Pancar
Study: International Humanitarian Action (2-year postgraduate) University: University of Warsaw
Place of Exchange: Warsaw, Poland
Duration of exchange: 02-2019 till 06-2019
This report will mainly be helpful for NOHA-students, as the second semester exchange is a
mandatory part of the program. But it might still be helpful to give an insight about living in Warsaw as an exchange student.
Courses
The second semester of the NOHA master program is the specialisation period. The specialisation in at the University of Warsaw was about armed conflicts and humanitarian action. Its aim was to describe the character of contemporary armed conflicts and problems related to establishment and functioning of peace and stability operations, including the different aspects of peace operations, prevention of mass atrocities, protection of civilians and the transformation of armed conflicts. The courses were given in the context of international humanitarian law, human rights law, international criminal law as well as security studies in general. Besides the humanitarian course there were also two courses about labour law and methodology, these were more general courses and specifically focussed on international humanitarian action. In total there were 8 courses.
At the University of Warsaw, they do not work with blocks like they do at Rijksuniversiteit of Groningen. So during the second semester, we received all 8 course at once, which was pleasant during the beginning of semester, but become very chaotic during the end of semester. Practically, the last two months, May and June, of the semester were only used for exams and papers.
Furthermore, the University of Warsaw organised two field trips two; to the Auschwitz
concentration camp and to Bosnia and Herzegovina to visit the Srebrenica genocide memorial. The excursions where also tied in with the courses, so we received classes about the field trip before going there.
Quality of Education
The quality of the education at the University of Warsaw was very inconstant, sometimes it was really good, sometimes it was very poor and sometimes it was even very inappropriate for our program. Most of the law courses were really good and also very applicable in our master program and our future work. They were given by academic and practicing professionals. The course that were so good, were the courses in methodology and labour law. They felt really inappropriate and not applicable to our master program. Furthermore, the teachers of these courses did not seem acquainted in the topics of our master program. For example: not knowing doctors without borders is a clear sign of lack knowledge of the topics we are dealing with.
The Host University
The University of Warsaw was located in the middle of the city centre, closely located near the old town. The university is well connected by public transportation from all corners from Warsaw. I was
living in the south of the city and it took me 20 minutes with one bus line to get to the university. The university buildings are historical, so sometimes you will see tourists walking around taking. pictures.
Reception
In the week before classes there is a reception week for the Erasmus exchange students, in the first two days you will get a tour of the campus and the library. In the same week there is also a party organised for the exchange students, it is a very good way to get to know each other and make new friends. Personally, I have only been to the library tour as for the NOHA students there was a different reception organised.
Accommodation
I found my accommodation through the website; erasmusu.com, this website requires you to pay an administration fee of €140, which is quite a lot and I also have very indifferent feelings about
Erasmusu. In the end, I was very happy with my accommodation, I was living on my own in a 5 room apartment, I had a very beautiful room with a balcony. But I was paying much more than my peers, my rent was €320 (probably the reason why I was living on my own and I also paid a high fee for Erasmusu. Furthermore, they also took a piece of my deposit that was meant for the landlady.
Most of my classmates and friends paid much less for there rooms they found on Facebook groups.
The Home University
The majority of the tasks was coordinated by the host university. I had minimum to no contact with the Rijksuniversiteit of Groningen about the exchange in Warsaw.
Expenses
Like I mentioned before my rent was €320 excluding all the onetime costs I had to pay to Erasmusu.
Looking back, I would say that the rest of my monthly living costs were approximately €200, this includes various expenses, including food, going out, gym subscription and etcetera. I would also like to add to this, that I was not living very cheap, it is definitely possible to have much lesser expenses.
Problems
During my stay in Warsaw I did not experience any difficulties or problems. In terms of culture and Polish society, everyone I met was really kind and helpful. Although, I never got the chance to truly learn Polish, I was still able to manage pretty well with only being able to speak English.
I had some problems with my deposit though, first of all I had find out that Erasmusu paid €50 less deposit to my landlady. Furthermore my landlady had difficulties paying me back the deposit cause of the difference in currency.
Recommendations
Enjoy yourself, it truly will be an unforgettable experience. If you have any more questions please contact me.
