Consortium of Silesian universities will seek foreign students

The consortium was established on 4 May 2010. It currently consists of 9 universities: Karol Adamiecki University of Economics in Katowice, Academy of Music. In Katowice, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, University of Bielsko-Biała, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Czestochowa University of Technology, Silesian University of Technology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice and the University of Silesia in Katowice. Together the universities educate over 110 thousand students.

Currently there are about 2 thousand foreign students studying in the region. University authorities are convinced that the study offer in Silesia can be attractive - education is at a high level, tuition fees and costs of living are competitive, and foreign students are provided with assistance, including Polish language lessons. Universities plan English language courses for administrative staff, taking into account the cultural differences of the guests. They want to jointly select the agency which will recruit students for the consortium members.

Most experienced among the consortium members in the field of educating foreign students is the Medical University of Silesia. It has been offering studies for foreigners since 1996, currently it educates 400 students from abroad and has more than 140 graduates. They find jobs mainly in the United States.

Conference participants emphasized that foreign students are natural economic, scientific and cultural ambassadors of Silesia. In college friendships and professional acquaintances are formed, which continue throughout life. Katerina Petkova from Bulgaria is studying finance at the University of Economics. "I feel good here, even though Polish language is more difficult than I thought. But I'm having even more fun than in Bulgaria. If anyone has the opportunity to study in Katowice, I recommend it" - she said.

As stated at the conference, 2 million people worldwide study outside their countries, approximately 50 thousand in Europe.

From: PAP