Summer Polish Language and Culture Studies in Kraków

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What's Included

We invite you to spend your summer in Kraków, a city of immense cultural, political, social, historical and academic significance in Poland. Learn the Polish language and study Polish culture and history at the nation's oldest university, while earning credit and exploring this charming, welcoming and vibrant city!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

On-Site Orientation

Resident Director

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Excursions

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Transit Pass

Tutoring

Housing and Meals

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
  • Open to students 18 years of age or older
  • Open to all levels of Polish speakers
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • Official transcript
  • Statement of purpose
  • Course pre-registration form
  • Entry requirement: valid passport
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer Jun 29, 2023 - Jul 30, 2023 $5,500 May 15, 2023 No Extension Jun 14, 2023
Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Kraków programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Oswiecim (Auschwitz)

    About 40 miles southwest of Kraków is the town of Oswiecim. Most people know the city by its German name, Auschwitz. This was the site of the largest Nazi concentration camp, and during the years 1940-45 more than 1.5 million people lost their lives there. The main gate still has the original inscription “Arbeit macht frei” (work sets you free). The Martyrdom Museum, included on the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, was established in 1947 and provides visitors with the history and personal testimonies of the survivors of the camp.

  • Dunajec Canyon

    The raft trip down the Dunajec River through the Pieniny Gorge and along the Polish-Slovak border is one of Poland’s greatest tourist attractions. The trip begins in Sromowce-Katy, while the entire five-mile journey ends up in Szczawnica. A silent run, lasting 2-3 hours, reveals many wonders in an undisturbed environment, often offering close encounters with rare birds and animals. The towering cliffs and limestone rock formations offer an unforgettable experience in a pristine and wild environment.

  • Nowa Huta

    The Berlin Wall may have fallen, the Iron Curtain cracked, but many of Communism's most famous legacies are alive and well in Kraków. Students will visit the district of Nowa Huta, "Stalin's gift to Kraków", and discover a centrally-planned Socialist city. This unique district was meant to be a model communist city, but later came to be one of the centers of revolution and resistance within Poland, leading to the eventual overthrow of the Communist government. During the in-depth guided tour, students will travel back in time in a genuine Trabant or Polski Fiat 125p to experience the wonders of this one-of-a-kind city.

  • Wieliczka Salt Mine

    The Wieliczka Salt Mine has been listed as a UNESCO monument since 1978. This 700-year-old mine attracts visitors from all over the world. Located just 15 km outside of Kraków, the salt mine (kopalnia soli) is still operating. Because the mine is renowned for the preservative qualities of its microclimate as well as for its health-giving properties, it also functions as an underground sanatorium where chronic allergies are treated. The most beautiful chamber is the Chapel of St. Kinga, which was voluntarily carved out between 1862-80. The floors, walls, chandeliers, and banisters are all carved from salt. The bas-relief wall carvings depict scenes from the New Testament and display amazing dimension and realism.

  • Zakopane

    Zakopane is a cozy village embedded in the Tatras, the highest mountain range of the Carpathians. This quaint town attracts over a million tourists a year, and is famous for its “góralski” (highland) culture and way of life. Moreover, Zakopane has left its mark on Polish culture due to the fact that many Polish artists, writers, and painters have been inspired by the village’s unique atmosphere.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 5-10 semester credits

Students who choose study abroad in Kraków with API attend courses at the Jagiellonian University of Kraków’s School of Polish Language and Culture. All students are REQUIRED to take a Polish language course during the summer session. Language classes are taught in Polish and most culture courses are taught in English. Some culture courses are taught in Polish for advanced students. For the summer program, students can earn a total of 5-10 semester credits. All courses are taken with other American and international students.

TRANSCRIPTS

Students will receive a transcript from the Jagiellonian University of Kraków upon completion of their program.

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    Kelsi Maddock

    Kelsi Maddock will be your Program Coordinator and will help prepare you for your API program.

    (she/her/hers)

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    Piotr Gebalski

    Piotr will be your Resident Director in Kraków and will be a resource for you while you are in Poland!

    (he/him/his)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

All summer students are required to take one Polish language course. Students complete a placement exam on-site to determine their level and are placed in one of the following courses.

Students may then choose up to two cultural classes to round out their schedule.

The course selection is subject to change and enrollment in specific courses can only be guaranteed upon formal registration at the university. Some courses may require a minimum enrollment, and not all courses are offered each summer. Some courses may have prerequisites. In these cases, equivalent coursework and/or experience may be considered. API recommends that you obtain pre-approval for all of your course selections prior to departure.

CREDIT INFORMATION

Jagiellonian University operates on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). It is generally accepted that in order to convert from ECTS to U.S. semester credits, one should divide the ECTS total by 2.

Courses at Jagiellonian University (Summer Polish Language & Culture Studies Program)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Find Courses

Highlights
  • Classes taught in Polish and English
Housing

Summer students will live in a student dormitory. The dormitory offers a restaurant, a cafeteria, laundry facilities, a convenience store, a post office, a library, and a TV room. Each suite has two rooms (single and/or double occupancy) and a shared bathroom. During the summer session, two meals per day are provided in the dorm cafeteria.