Program:  Warsaw School of Economics / CIEE
Location:  Warsaw, Poland

Is This Program Right For You?  The program is intended for students who have an interest in Poland and Central Europe, as well as political, social, and/or economic transformation from a state controlled to a democratic market-based system.

The goals of the program are to help students gain a greater understanding of Central Europe with specific emphasis on the Polish perspective and experience, while learning more about business practices and economics in Poland and the European Union.

Established in 1906, the Warsaw School of Economics (WSE), formerly the Central School of Planning and Statistics (1948-90), is the oldest and largest economics university in Poland, with 12,000 students and a teaching staff of 930. WSE has undergone fundamental curricular and structural transformation since 1990. Today, WSE offers undergraduate and graduate study programs in economics, international economics, management, statistics, computer science, demography, and public-sector economics. WSE has developed close contacts with universities and institutes abroad and its academic staff plays an active role in private business, the state administration, as well as in numerous domestic and international organizations.

The Courses/Program: Established in 1989, CIEE Warsaw provides a broad-based academic program combined with an in-country cultural experience. The program offers students a series of specially designed courses in such fields as Central European politics, literature, history, and economics. Although there is no language prerequisite for participation in the program, all students are required to take conversational Polish. In addition to Polish language, students’ select four area studies courses, taught in English. For students at the advanced level of business studies, business courses in English are also available through the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS), the European network of business schools.

All content courses are taught in English. Course content is country and region specific. The teaching method tends to be lectures although most professors welcome discussions and questions. CIEE courses generally meet twice a week for 1.5 hours. CIEE courses begin at around 9:15 a.m. and end no later than 4:45 p.m. The CIEE program calendar follows that of the U.S. higher education system, with the fall semester from early September to mid-December, and the spring semester from late January to late May. However, the academic calendar for the Warsaw School of Economics (WSE) consists of a fall semester from early October to late January and a spring semester from mid-February to late May or early June. Note that Fordham fall semester students who opt to take WSE courses may need to stay until exams are finalized in January and this might mean making alternate arrangements back at Fordham or with the Warsaw program.

Assessment: Grades are assigned using the Polish grading scale of 2-5 (with 5 equaling an A, 4 equaling a B, and so on). Plus grades are also assigned but there are no minus grades awarded. Most courses have at least two means of assessment, usually a mid-term exam and a final exam or paper. However, depending on the course, additional assignments such as a research paper or a class presentation may also be required. Attendance and class participation are also incorporated into the final grade for all courses.

Housing:  Housing is included in the program fee. Program participants live together in double rooms, in a Warsaw School of Economics dormitory, with shared bath and kitchen facilities. Meals may be taken at a student cafeteria, restaurants, and cafes in Warsaw, or may be prepared in the dormitory, but are not included in the program fee.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (16 weeks): early September – mid December/ Application Deadline: April 1st
• Spring Semester (16 weeks): late January – late May / Application Deadline: November 1st

Requirements: (Language of instruction is English, Polish)
• 3.0 GPA

Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing and some meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. Visa not included. For more information:  http://www.ciee.org. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only.  It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.