Maeve Lyon (ML, CGIS Peer Advisor): Could you please introduce yourself and your role at CGIS?
Callie Rouse (CR, Senior Study Abroad Advisor): My name is Callie Rouse, and I am a Senior Study Abroad Advisor at CGIS. I work with a variety of programs, but most notably Northern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and our STEM program.
ML: Where did you visit and for what program?
CR: I went to Warsaw, Poland, and I visited the University of Warsaw.
ML: What is the academic focus of this program?
CR: This program started as a professor-led initiative. A faculty member from the Biology department — Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki — reached out to our leadership and was interested in establishing a connection with the University of Warsaw. He has worked professionally with U-W’s Biology department and himself received his PhD from the University of Warsaw, so he was very interested in getting the program off the ground. The support for the program also came from the International Institute and the Copernicus Center for Polish Studies. We haven't had a program in Poland for quite some time, so this is a new country in our portfolio.
Biology is one of the major focuses. What makes this program particularly unique is that it allows students to take core biology coursework, including lab coursework, abroad — something that is generally not permitted on our other study abroad programs.
The program is also connected to our Slavic Languages & Literatures department here at U-M, so students can take coursework in Russian, Ukrainian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish, among others. It provides another avenue for Russian and other Slavic language learning outside of Kazakhstan [where CGIS’s dedicated Russian language program is based]. The program also has offerings in economics, international relations, international studies, political science, and psychology, among other disciplines.
ML: What kind of housing do students live in on this program?
CR: Students live in independent housing, as this is a visiting student program — students are simply taking a term abroad as a visiting student. They won't have access to university dorms, so they'll need to seek out their own housing. It can be a competitive market, so it's good for students to know that going in. Students typically find housing alongside other students in short-term lets. Our on-campus partner office provides recommendations on where there are good places to look for housing.
ML: Does this program generally work better for in-state or out-of-state students, or does it not matter?
CR: It doesn't matter at all for this particular program, because every student pays the same rate. Unlike exchange programs where students pay U-M home tuition, here students pay a single flat rate based on the number of credits they take. There's no American upcharge — students pay exactly what any other visiting student pays. On average, that comes out to between $1,000-2,000 for tuition.
ML: What can university students get from studying abroad on this specific program that they might not be able to get elsewhere, or that they wouldn't have in Ann Arbor?
CR: I think this program is ideal for students who want a truly immersive European experience. Poland isn't a common destination for American students — while it's popular for students from Spain, France, and Germany, not many Americans are heading to Warsaw. Because of that, students will have a more immersive experience and find it easier to engage with Europeans and other international students rather than defaulting into American social circles.
The university itself is fascinating — it's both historic, having been around for a long time, and thoroughly modern, because so much had to be completely restored after the war. Their main library is stunning, and they recently renovated their psychology faculty into a state-of-the-art building. You see that same dynamic throughout the city: meticulously restored historic areas right alongside modern skyscrapers. It's a really interesting blend of old and new that you don't find everywhere.
ML: How would you recommend that students get connected with locals?
CR: I would strongly recommend joining local organizations and connecting with the Welcome Point, which is designed for full-time and Erasmus [a European version of study abroad] students. There will be a large number of incoming international students through those Erasmus programs, and students can easily connect with them. I also recommend finding organizations through the university — there are groups centered around travel and activities alongside other international students.
More broadly, I encourage students to think about what they love doing at home and find communities around that abroad. For example, hiking is really popular in Poland — people travel down to the southern border region near Czechia and Germany for hiking trips. If that's something you enjoy, find others who enjoy it too and build connections that way.
ML: What were some cultural or societal differences you noticed between Poland and the United States? Are there any specific nuances worth highlighting?
CR: A few things stand out. Poland is a traditionally Catholic country with a strong religious identity. Religion was something many Polish people leaned into heavily during incredibly difficult periods — Nazi occupation, Soviet control — and it remains a cornerstone of Polish life today. There is genuine pride, particularly in the Krakow region, around the fact that Pope John Paul II was Polish.
Culturally, Poland tends to be more conservative than what many U-M students may be used to. That's shaped by both politics and religion. It can be a more challenging environment for students who are openly queer, though queer life does exist — I walked by a gay club one evening — and it's likely more visible within the student population. It's simply a more conservative overall environment, and that's worth being aware of going in.
It's also important to acknowledge the proximity to the war in Ukraine. Poland is not in the conflict, but it's on their doorstep. There are Ukrainian refugees living in Warsaw, and solidarity with Ukraine is very present — I saw the Palace of Culture and Science lit up in Ukrainian flag colors. Students shouldn’t feel unsafe, but it's something that is very real and important to the Polish people, and students should be aware of that context.
ML: What does public transit look like in the city?
CR: I was able to experience both the bus system and the subway. It's very straightforward. Students get a monthly Metro card at a discounted student rate — 50% off — which gives them unlimited access to buses, trams, and metro lines. Students also get discounts to long-distance trains as well. On the metro, you swipe in, but on buses it operates more on an honor system, where there are random security checks to ensure students have their cards on them rather than checking every single time.
Honestly, a lot of getting around is done on foot. The area around the main campus is very walkable. If students have classes on the Ochota campus, where the sciences faculty is located, they can easily take a bus over.
ML: What was the commute like getting from the airport to the city?
CR: Super easy. I commuted both in and out of Warsaw on public transit using a 3-day pass, and it covered everything. You just hop on a bus and scan the QR code — though fair warning, the QR code is on the ceiling of the bus, which tripped me up at first. A kind Polish woman helped me out. The ride from the airport to central campus was about 30 to 40 minutes by bus.
ML: What does the general cost of living look like in comparison to Ann Arbor?
CR: Poland is more affordable than Ann Arbor — it's actually a big draw for students from across Europe as well. Spain is the number one country sending students there through the Erasmus program, partly because of the affordable cost of living compared to other EU countries. Poland doesn't use the Euro; they use the Złoty. Students will find their money goes much further living in Warsaw than in Ann Arbor.
ML: How is the food?
CR: I didn't try a huge variety of Polish food — I studied abroad in the Czech Republic and the cuisines are fairly similar — but I did have pierogis, which are a classic. They were crispy and delicious. Polish food in general tends to be heartier: root vegetables, meat-heavy dishes. That said, there's plenty of variety. I went to a food hall that had been recommended to me and had excellent Middle Eastern food there as well. There are definitely vegan and vegetarian options for students.
One thing I happened to experience: I was there right around the time of Fat Thursday — the Polish version of Fat Tuesday, which falls on a Thursday rather than the day before Ash Wednesday. I tried a traditional Polish pączek with rose flavoring, and it was incredible. The dough was so rich and dense — it put American versions I’ve tried to shame. If you're living there, absolutely seek those out.
ML: What would you recommend to students thinking about studying abroad in Poland? Do they need to know another language, or is English sufficient?
CR: You do not need to know Polish to get by. I recognized a few words because of the similarities to Czech, but I don't speak Polish, and I navigated just fine. People were able to communicate with me without much difficulty, and most Polish people are comfortable speaking English — and often happy to have the opportunity to practice. The experience will also be very international, as many of your classmates will be Polish students studying in English alongside other international students from around the world.
ML: What was a highlight from your visit?
CR: One thing I always appreciate when visiting Europe is the ease of public transit and the walkability — being able to get around a city so easily as an American is something I genuinely love. But I think the experience that stood out most was visiting the Warsaw Rising Museum, where I learned about the Polish Uprising of 1944 against the Nazis. It's a part of Polish history I didn't know much about. I knew Warsaw had been essentially flattened during World War II and later restored, but I didn't know much about the uprising itself. It was a powerful museum — not a happy part of Polish history, but an important one that really showcases the resistance and resilience of the Polish people.
Contact Callie at cjrouse@umich.edu if you have any questions about Poland, Northern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, or STEM Programs!
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