It's been 3 months since the first Welcome Point in the Silesia region was opened at our University. During this time, the Welcome Point has been visited by over 400 people, including both Polish and international students and staff. It has become one of the hot spots of UE Katowice and a place to be for members of our academic community, who enthusiastically participate in many of Welcome Point’s activities. The idea behind the Welcome Point’s creation and operation is presented in a short film featuring our students and staff.
Join us for the film's premiere on December 20, 2021. Let it be a little present underneath the Christmas tree to make the upcoming holiday season even better. While waiting for the premiere we encourage you to watch ‘behind the scenes’ of the filming process. Remember to visit us in building A (room 112) and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
UE Katowice Welcome Point
What are we up to? – a brief summary
The first months of the Welcome Point’s operation had been rather intense and full of new challenges. Here’s what we do:
- Legalization of stay in Poland:
- information sessions organized in cooperation with the Silesian Voivodeship Office in Katowice in order to help students complete the Temporary Residence Permit Application (non-EU citizens) or the Application for Registering the Residence (EU citizens)
- organizing a series of meetings and establishing close cooperation with the Department of Civil Affairs and Foreigners at the Silesian Voivodeship Office in all matters concerning legalization of students' stay,
- meetings with the Deputy Mayor of Katowice and heads of the City Hall’s departments, as well as the Director of the Poviat Employment Agency to establish the scope of cooperation
- supporting students in preparing applications to register residence in Katowice, apply for a resident card or get a PESEL number
- Contacting diplomatic missions of Poland in cases requiring the University’s intervention
- Recognition of education or eligibility for continuing education:
- information session for students in cooperation with the Board of Education in Katowice
- assistance in preparing applications, required documents and translations
- facilitating communication with the Board of Education and arranging the submission of applications to Inspectors
- Accommodation
- establishing cooperation and signing partnership agreements with BaseCamp and other private dormitories, hotels, and real estate agencies
- Health
- registering students for Covid-19 vaccination
- communicating with students regarding Covid-19 infections and quarantine obligations
- obtaining information from local health care providers concerning insurance and medical coverage
- Integration
- organizing an Integration Week at the beginning of the academic year
- organizing the Global Village in cooperation with BaseCamp
- November edition of the World Café – ‘Let’s talk about Poland’
- ‘Andrzejki’ (Eng. St. Andrew’s Eve) - traditional fortune telling and games at Welcome Point
- meeting with the Santa Claus (as per Polish tradition held on December 6) and homemade cakes and gingerbreads tasting
- ‘Christmas Guest’ initiative – Polish students and staff will host international students who stay in Poland for holidays in their houses
- Uni Buddy program coordination
- communicating with and supporting participants of the Program - Polish students helping foreigners
- preparing special ‘I am Unibuddy’ sweatshirts
- organizing information and integration meetings for volunteers
- recruitment and organization of student internships at Welcome Point
We invite you to join the program, meet amazing people, participate in unique events, and make lifelong friends.
Join us