Practice in Poland

Our students have the unique opportunity to undergo a summer internship training at the hospital in Knurów (Poland). This is an excellent clinical base that provides ample opportunities for practical consolidation of theoretical knowledge gained during the study year. The hospital employs experienced and highly qualified specialists, who are always ready to share their knowledge and support students.

Ukrainian trainees are given the opportunity to practice in surgical departments (surgical, oncological, gynecological), as well as therapeutic and obstetrics. The most active students who are interested in the specialization of surgery have the opportunity to assist the leading surgeons of the clinic in the operating rooms. Students, having chosen obstetrics and gynecology as the path of their future activities, have the opportunity to participate in the urgent work of departments of this profile and assist in childbirth. Also, the hospital has a diagnostic department, where students will practice diagnostic skills in ECG, echocardiography and ultrasound diagnostics. Any student, if desired, has an additional opportunity to participate in the work of the E.R. of the clinic with subsequent patronage of patients in the departments of clinics. Students communicate with their basic clinical supervisors and medical staff of the hospital in Polish and English during practice.

1. Visa support is provided by staff to students participating in the internships in Poland.

1.1. Students (citizens of Ukraine) who have a biometric passport do not need a visa to visit the Schengen area. Proof of their status is membership in a group of students with a leader when crossing the border with Poland. Head of the group has an original invitation from the hospital.

1.2. Students (citizens of Ukraine) who do not have a biometric passport and students who are non- citizens of Ukraine are accompanied by the head of the group to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kyiv (Kyiv, B. Khmelnytskoho St., 60) according to the following algorithm:

1) Completion and registration of the visa application form online on the website of the Republic of Poland in the section “E-KONSULAT System” (link – https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/) personally by the student:

Step 1. Go to the page “E-KONSULAT System”, select the language of the page:
Step 2. Choose a country (Ukraine) and a city (Kyiv):
Step 3. Select the option “Schengen Visa – Fill in the form” in the Menu:
Step 4. Fill in the Schengen visa application form
Step 5. Register the Questionnaire – to do this, select the option “Schengen Visa – Register Form” in the Menu.

2) Printout of a completed Schengen visa application form and the student’s personal signature on the form.

3) List of documents for applying for a Schengen visa:

o Color photo measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, on a white background, full face, with a face that occupies 70-80% of the photo.
o Foreign passport for citizens of Ukraine and photocopies of pages.
o Certificate of temporary residence in Ukraine for non-citizens of Ukraine and photocopies of pages.
o Internal passport of your country for non-citizens of Ukraine and photocopies of pages.
o A health insurance valid in all Schengen countries for at least € 30,000 and a photocopy thereof.
o Color copy of the invitation to practice with dates of practice from the hospital in Knurów, Poland.
o Statement from a Ukrainian bank on the presence of an open account without a negative balance.
o Student card and its photocopy.
o Certificate from the dean’s office, which confirms the actual study at the university.

4) A group of students is accompanied by a group supervisor to submit documents to the Consular Section or Visa Center at the specified time.

5) The consular fee for citizens of Ukraine is 35 Euro, for non-citizens is 60 Euro. Upon application and in the personal presence of the group curator, the consular fee  for students may be canceled.

6) Passports with visa are received by each student personally at an appointed time.

The supervisor of the group controls the purchase of tickets for transport and travel to the place of practice, the group’s residence during the internship at the hospital, students’ internship accordance to the curriculum, control of acquired practical skills at the end of practice, filling diaries and returning the group from Poland to Ukraine.

The trip to the place of practice usually takes place on a comfortable (individual multimedia devices and socket, free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, blankets) bus of the international carrier Ecolines direct trip Kyiv-Katowice. The cost of the trip for students with an international student ticket ISIC is 10% lower than usual – about 870 UAH. The duration of the trip is 17-20 hours, depending on the queue at the border checkpoint.

If there are affordable tickets, the group can pick a flight option Kyiv (Kyiv Sikorsky Airport) – Katowice (Pyzovice airport). Travel time – 1 hour 35 minutes.

From Katowice to the hospital in Knurów there are lots of buses of route №120 running every hour. The cost of a trip throughout Poland with an international ISIC student ticket is 50% lower than usual rate. The Katowice-Knurów trip takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs – 2.40 ZL (approximately 16 UAH).

Students are provided with accommodation on the 2nd and 3rd floors of an building on the hospital grounds. The clinical laboratory of the hospital is located on the 1st floor. 4-5 rooms are provided for a group of 14 students. In each room there are beds, a wardrobe and a table. The number of beds in the rooms can be changed freely. On the 2nd floor there are 2 full bathrooms with showers, a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, electric stoves and a full set of dishes and cutlery. There is an ironing board and iron. There is also a hall with a large table where students can study and spend their free time. On the 3rd floor there is also a separate bathroom with shower and a modern washing machine. Students are always are accompanied by supervisor of the group, who monitors the students’ attendance at the hospital, their performance in practical skills, household issues and communication with the management of the clinic.

During free time students can visit the water park and the swimming pool which are located near the hospital, and the neighboring picturesque towns.

On weekends, by agreement with the supervisor, the group or part of the group can make excursions to the mountain resort town of Zakopane or Auschwitz, Gliwice, Katowice, which are nearby, or to such famous tourist cities as Krakow, Wroclaw, Warsaw, Prague and more.
If you would like to register for such practice, please fill out THIS FORM.