{"id":390,"date":"2025-06-11T10:35:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T08:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/monitor.vistula.edu.pl\/?p=390"},"modified":"2025-06-11T10:35:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T08:35:29","slug":"where-can-a-foreign-student-live-better-in-warsaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/monitor.vistula.edu.pl\/index.php\/en\/2025\/06\/11\/where-can-a-foreign-student-live-better-in-warsaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Can a Foreign Student Live Better in Warsaw?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is the difference between public and private dormitories, and is it worth sacrificing comfort to save money by avoiding rent?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opinions differ, and all students choose the most convenient or budget-friendly option for themselves. But what about those who are unfamiliar with the topic and need advice? For this article, I interviewed two students living in Warsaw in different conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Dormitory Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denis Bogdanovsky is a second-year student at the University of Warsaw, majoring in kierownictwo. <\/em>Denis understands management and marketing well and plans to pursue a career in business. In the fall of 2023, Denis moved from Minsk and quickly settled into his new home \u2013 one of the public dormitory buildings in the Stara Ochota district. The building, a last-century construction might not be visually appealing from the outside, but offers all necessary amenities inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The rooms are designed for 2-3 people and come furnished with a wardrobe, beds, tables and chairs,” says Denis. His dorm is a corridor type with shared kitchens and showers on each floor. However, some dorms have block-type apartments \u2013 with shared facilities for 2-3 rooms. The rent reflects the modest furnishings. You are guaranteed  hot water and clean bed linens, and you can get used to minor inconveniences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We asked Denis if we could visit to get a glimpse of the dorm life from the inside. He agreed and jokingly suggested calling the article \u201ca light interview about poor Warsaw.\u201d While the title sounded amusing, it didn\u2019t match the reality- the student\u2019s room looked pretty decent. It had been recently renovated: the walls were painted, windows replaced, and the furniture was new. Denis has his own desk, a comfortable bed with a mattress, a nightstand, and a lamp. He and his roommate share a wardrobe and refrigerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite the appearance of the building, it is constantly being modernized. Just recently, they replaced our faucet for no real reason. A small thing, but nice.\u201d Denis smiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The price is also quite reasonable \u2013 520 PLN per month, which includes electricity, water, hallway cleaning and maintenance common areas. Students are responsible for keeping their own rooms clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“At first, my roommate kept forgetting to take out the trash, and we had many disagreements. He also used to take my food without asking. Eventually, we divided responsibilities and now we live peacefully. Having a roommate doesn\u2019t interfere with my studies or rest. Most people on our floor are Russian speakers, but I share a room with a Pole. I chose that on purpose since I needed to practice Polish. He moved in before me and now finishing his master\u2019s. Thanks to him, I was able to expand my vocabulary and got a better understanding  of the education system and how the university works.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though personal space is limited, the room is cozy and clean \u2013 definitely livable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private Dorm and Apartment Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also met Dzmitry Barmuta, a student from Belarus studying programming at PJATK (Polsko-Japo\u0144ska Akademia Technik Komputerowych), one of Poland\u2019s most prestigious private universities. Non-state universities also offer dormitory spots, but only for the first year of study. Moreover, the prices can be outrageous, reaching up to 3200PLN per month (enough to rent a studio apartment). Dzmitry was lucky to get a spot for 2000PLN per month. But after his first year, he faced a huge problem: where to move next? Together with his friend, he decided to rent an apartment. Splitting costs made it more affordable and fun. However, finding the right place took the entire summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As visiting students without jobs, we were often rejected right after the initial phone call. The only card that we could play was that we studied at PJATK. Some landlords joked that if we go to such prestigious university, our parents must be wealthy,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They finally found an apartment in the Torg\u00f3wek area -not in the city center, but with metro and tram access nearby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCompared to dorm life, it\u2019s a big change. I can come home after 11 p.m. without begging the guard to let me in. I no longer have to queue to do my laundry or make a schedule for using the vacuum cleaner.\u201d He adds that the apartment is more comfortable, but you need to be prepared for expenses, especially in the first month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost ads are published by agencies, so you\u2019ll have to pay the realtor. Also, it\u2019s better to immediately clarify the final amount with the owner, because websites often don\u2019t specify expenses for water and electricity. And don\u2019t forget the deposit, which is not small either and usually unlikely to be returned. The main thing is to read the contract carefully,\u201d Dima advises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion: What\u2019s the best option?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting an apartment certainly has its advantages \u2013 comfort, freedom, and independence. However, it also comes with higher costs and responsibilities. Dorms, on the other hand, may be modest and shared, but they offer an opportunity to adapt to the city, find new friends and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a real university. For many, especially at the beginning of their student journey, a dormitory is the perfect place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valeryia Kavaliova<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo: Lisa from Pexels \/ Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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