Study Abroad in Poland
Explore a new culture, learn a new language & broaden your horizons by enrolling in a program to study in Poland with YFU. Discover our programs today.
Study in Poland
Copernicus, Chopin, and Pope John Paul II were happy to call Poland home, and now you can too! You will find your stay in Poland adventurous, educational, and full of opportunities to make life-long friends and understand Polish culture.
+ More About Poland
Dobry dzień! (Good day!) Although most people you meet will speak Polish, the most widely spoken foreign language is English, which helps many exchange students in eliminating the language barrier. Poland is famous for its inclusive culture filled with Eastern and Western traditions. As one of the first European countries with organized education, education plays a huge role in the Polish society.
As a member of a Polish family, you will have an opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities including celebrating holidays, attending cultural events, and spending time outdoors. If you enjoy sports, you may have the chance to participate in a soccer team, as it is Poland’s number one sport. You will also have the chance to enjoy some notable foods in Polish cuisine such as rye bread, borscht (beet soup), pierogis (dumplings), and bigos (a dish of sauerkraut, cabbage, and pork).
You will surely be welcomed, well-fed and challenged intellectually if you choose to spend your exchange in Poland.
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Poland:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Karla Topolka Scholarship Fund
Passport to Equity
+ Application Deadline
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by September 1 for Winter/Spring departure programs and March 31 for Summer and Fall. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information concerning Visas will be provided upon enrollment. To learn more about the process, you can refer to the Polish Embassy.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include visa fees, school related expenses such as textbooks, school activities, and transportation costs. Personal spending money is not included in tuition.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline for all winter and spring departure programs (January-March) is October 1. The deadline to apply for scholarships is December 1. The deadline for all summer or fall departure programs (June-September) is March 15. Programs can fill up before the deadline, so we encourage early submission!
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Program
During your stay in Poland, you will live with a Polish host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
Your Polish education will take place in a secondary technical or secondary grammar school, with 10 to 12 courses during the school year. Polish secondary students usually follow a previously elected profile of coursework throughout their 3 years of education. This means that they decide "majors" similar to those in American colleges. After students determine their profile, they are assigned a class, which is made up of students who share similar interests.
Orientations
All students applying for a year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Students will have a 3-day arrival orientation in Poland. During the orientation students will have an intensive language course, and will be provided with free self-study books and CD resources. There will also be a mid-year orientation between semesters and a re-entry orientation towards the end of your program. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
Because of its beautiful and diverse landscape, Poland is host to endless outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. Sports are very popular in Poland, namely skiing, soccer, and many watersports!
Optional Excursions
Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
Trip to Craków: During this 3-day trip students will have the opportunity to visit Poland's second largest city! While visiting this historic Polish city, students will visit some of the most important cultural sites such as Old Town, the Jewish District, Schindler's Factory, and the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
Trip to Tricity: This weekend trip has typically taken place in the spring. Students will travel with their host siblings to discover the beautiful Polish seaside and explore the scenic coast of the Baltic Sea. While visiting Northern Tricity there will be sightseeing in the towns of Sopot, Gdynia, and Gdansk.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Fall Year | Mid August | Late June | $14,095 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Polish high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Poland Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departures: Students born August 31, 2007 - August 30, 2010.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Students who graduate before the start of their program will not be considered for admission.
Language
Polish. Previous language study is not required, but students must have motivation to learn Polish. Students will attend an intensive Polish language course and be provided with self-study resources.
Host Family Placement
Students may be placed in host families throughout the entire country. Students are rarely placed in large urban centers.
+ Semester Programs
During your stay in Poland, you will live with a Polish host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
Your Polish education will take place in a secondary technical or secondary grammar school, with 10 to 12 courses during the school year. Polish secondary students usually follow a previously elected profile of coursework throughout their 3 years of education. This means that they decide "majors" similar to those in American colleges. After students determine their profile, they are assigned a class, which is made up of students who share similar interests.
Orientations
All students applying for a semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring departures). All students applying for the Fall semester will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Students will have a 3-day arrival orientation in Poland. During the orientation students will have an intensive language course, and will be provided with free self-study books and CD resources. There will also be a re-entry orientation towards the end of your program. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.
Extracurriculars
Because of its beautiful and diverse landscape, Poland is host to endless outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking. Sports are very popular in Poland, namely skiing, soccer, and many watersports!
Optional Excursions
Semester program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.
Trip to Craków: During this 3-day trip students will have the opportunity to visit Poland's second largest city! While visiting this historic Polish city, students will visit some of the most important cultural sites such as Old Town, the Jewish District, Schindler's Factory, and the Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Fall Semester | Mid August | Late January | $13,095 |
| 2025 Spring Semester | Late January | Late June | $13,095 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Polish high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Poland Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departures: Students born August 31, 2007 - August 30, 2010.
- 2025 Spring Departures: Students born January 31, 2007 - January 30, 2010.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Students who graduate before the start of their program will not be considered for admission.
Language
Polish. Previous language study is not required, but students must have motivation to learn Polish. Students will attend an intensive Polish language course and be provided with self-study resources.
Host Family Placement
Students may be placed in host families throughout the entire country. Students are rarely placed in large urban centers.