Admisson Information
Who can apply?
Kosciuszko Foundation Summer Study Abroad programs are open to high school graduates who will be 18 years old by the first day of their chosen program. College students, graduate students and adults who have an interest in studying Polish may also apply. Previous knowledge of the Polish language is not required.
About Language Classes
Language classes are available at the Jagiellonian University, Krakow and the John Paul II Catholic University in Lublin. Placement in beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes are made based on a placement test given at the start of the program. Class size is approximately 10-15 students. Previous knowledge of Polish is not required. Final exams include a written and oral component. State Certification Exams may be taken by students who have reached a minimum level of fluency in the Polish language.
State Certification Exams
The State Certification Exam is the official certification test of Polish as a foreign language and is recognized worldwide. Test levels B1, B2 and C2 will be offered in Poland provided that a minimum number of students apply for the exam. Exam date will be announced in Poland. For more information please see www.buwiwm.edu.pl/certyfikacja as well as the Jagiellonian University 2012 syllabus for course levels and their corresponding State Certification Exam levels. State Certification Exams are offered at the Jagiellonian University as an option at no extra cost to Summer Study Abroad participants.
About Transcripts of Credit
Students can receive credit towards an undergraduate degree for Polish language classes and other courses completed in Poland. Please refer to course descriptions for the exact beginning and ending dates of classes, hours of instruction and credits available. Transcripts of Credit are issued by the host institution and include the name of the course, the number of hours of instruction, the level of the language course and a letter grade. Transcripts are mailed during the week of September 17th. In the Polish educational system, 1 academic hour = 45 minutes. All courses require attendance, include mid-term and final exams and may require a thesis paper.
Students seeking credit for these summer programs are advised to speak to an academic adviser at their home institution prior to applying to attend programs abroad. You will be required to complete and submit the Kosciuszko Foundation's Summer Study Abroad Credit Approval Form and may also need to complete your home university's forms.
Please note that policy regarding transfer of credit varies from university to university and is often based on whether a student has already met the home university's degree requirements for language, history, literature, etc. In some cases, credits completed abroad may be used towards free electives. Inquire with your academic adviser.
How to Apply for Credit
A Credit Approval Form is provided with Kosciuszko Foundation's Summer Study Abroad application materials. Print the 2012 program syllabus including pages relevant to the courses you are interested in taking and present them together with details of the 2013 program description to your academic adviser. The syllabus includes information concerning the host university's grading policy, the various levels of language instruction, a listing of afternoon courses as well as daily lecture topics. Your academic adviser is asked to complete the bottom portion of the Credit Approval Form. It is suggested that you make a Xerox copy of the form for your records and send the original to the KF office in NYC.
Passports & Visas
A valid passport is needed for all travelers to Poland. If you do not have a passport apply for one now. If your passport is expected to expire within 6 months of your arrival in Poland, it is time to renew. Applications, instructions, and costs are available at your local clerk's of court, post offices, and on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. Renew early to avoid service backlogs and expedited service fees.
You are expected to list your passport number on the Dormitory Accommodation Form. If you do not have a passport at the time of application it may be forwarded at your convenience to Addy@thekf.org .
Visas to Poland for tourist travel by U.S. citizens are not needed. Tourist travel is defined as travel which does not exceed 90 days. If you intend to stay in Poland for 90 days or more call the Polish Consulate nearest you for instructions on obtaining a visa or see the following web-site for details and information: http://www.polishconsulateny.org
Group Flights to Poland
PAT Tours is coordinating group flights for KF Summer Study Abroad programs. Please call (800) 388 0988 for ticket prices, information and reservations. Group flights to Krakow include bus transfer to the dormitory. All students are expected at the dormitory on the arrival date of the program.
Health and Travel Insurance
The Kosciuszko Foundation does not offer packages for health/travel insurance, however, we do strongly suggest that program participants purchase health and travel insurance.
Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarships
Scholarships are available for studies at the Jagiellonian University. The Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarship covers the cost of program fees of a 3-week session (program fees include the cost of tuition, course materials, a shared room, three meals per day and sightseeing). The scholarship does not include fees for single rooms, registration, scholarship application fee, optional add-ons and extra nights.
To apply for a scholarship
In order to apply for a scholarship, the applicant must meet all program eligibility requirements, be a full-time high school senior or undergraduate student. Applicant must be a US citizen of Polish descent or Polish citizen with legal US permanent residency status and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to compete for a scholarship.
Send a completed KF Summer Study Abroad application and financial information form; 4 passport sized photos with your name printed on the reverse side of each; one official school or university transcript showing grades for the past three years through Summer 2012; academic letters of reference from two teachers or professors; an essay on why the Foundation should grant you a scholarship; and a $35 scholarship application fee. Your essay should be a minimum of two pages, double spaced, printed on one side of the page only; and must include your full name, "Summer Sessions" and page number on each page of the essay. Do NOT staple pages. Send your application and supporting materials to the KF Chapter nearest your school/university. If there is no K.F. Chapter in your school's vicinity, send application materials to the attention of Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarships, The Kosciuszko Foundation office in NYC. Chapter addresses are provided with application materials.
Applicants will be informed of scholarship decisions via e-mail in early June. Students who receive scholarships will be required to submit a $95 non-refundable registration fee as well as additional forms as listed below and will be required to submit a report to the Kosciuszko Foundation following the close of the program. Non-successful scholarship applicants may attend programs as paying students. Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarship applications and supporting materials are due no later than Wednesday, May 1st.
Instructions for Applicants (Non-Scholarship)
Submit one completed KF Summer Study Abroad application form; 2 passport-size photos signed on the reverse side for programs in Lublin; 4 passport-sized photos signed on the reverse for programs in Krakow; a $95 non-refundable application fee, program fees and payment for any optional add-ons.
All applicants are required to submit a Health Form, a Health Care Proxy form, and sign the Kosciuszko Foundation's Rules and Regulation Form. Most students who meet eligibility requirements are accepted to these programs.
Non-scholarship applications are due at the Kosciuszko Foundation's Office in NYC no later than Wednesday, May 15th.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations with a full refund are made through Friday, May 24th. A $75 cancellation fee applies after May 24. No refunds after the first day of the program.
Deadline Dates
May 1 - Tomaszkiewicz-Florio Scholarship materials due at KF Chapter
May 15 - non-scholarship application forms due - mail to KF in NYC
May 24 - Credit Approval Form due - mail to KF in NYC
May 24 - Health Form and Health Care Proxy due - mail to KF in NYC
May 24 - Rules and Regulations Form due - mail to KF in NYC
Sept 17 - Official Transcripts of Credit are mailed to students
Application Forms
Application materials are available through the Kosciuszko Foundation or can be downloaded here.
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