CEA believes it is very important to have a resident staff that works to ensure your well being and that of all CEA students. Our Program Director in Krakow, Julie Land, and her staff will:
- be available to assist you with any difficulties or questions that may arise during your program;
- act as a liaison between you and the administration of the host institution;
- help you make a smooth transition into Polish culture and educational system;
- closely monitor your academic progress; and
- organize a wide range of social and cultural activities.
Questions for or about the Krakow staff? Email
Meet the Krakow Staff
Gerry KerrCampus Director - Eastern Europe & Southern France
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Here's what Gerry has to say about Krakow
Let me tell you about a magical place, a fascinating historic town oozing with charm and character, one of Central Europe's most ancient and most beautiful cities. European City of Culture in 2000, and UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, Krakow has rightly earned its reputation as Poland's cultural capital.
Krakow is steeped in history, which you will experience first hand. You will witness the eerie pre-war timelessness of the Kazimierz district, which housed Krakow's Jewish population for more than 500 years, until it was wiped out by the Nazis and visit nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau, where Hitler's Final Solution was put into practice. Krakow was also home to Oskar Schindler, the Austrian industrialist who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews during WWII and whose story was told in Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List." You will visit Schindler's factory, tour the ghetto area and speak with survivors of this tragic chapter in Poland's history. On a visit to the Wielczka salt mine, you will be taken through an underground maze, passing exquisite statues and chandeliers carved purely from rock salt. You will visit the Chapel of St Kinga, which lies over 300 feet underground and took 67 years to carve!
Krakow's Jewish Cultural Festival is packed with special events, workshops, meetings, lectures, exhibitions and film shows. For example, you can take Yiddish language and Jewish cuisine courses, and participate in various workshops such as drumming, dance and klezmer music. Concerts are held throughout the festival featuring styles from chazzanut to Jewish rock and klezmer, culminating in a grand concert attended by over 10,000 people on Szeroka square in the Kazimierz district.
Krakow is Poland's gourmet Mecca, with a wonderful choice of Polish and International restaurants to tempt your pallet. You will have plenty of opportunities to sample some of Poland's best-known dishes: Barszcz czerwony (hot beetroot soup), Bigos (sauerkraut stew) and Pierogi (dumplings filled with meat, cheese, mushrooms or strawberries) and not forgetting delicious Sernik( cheese cake).
Krakow knows how to party! The city's lively nightlife is geared to a student population of 120,000, focusing on bars, restaurants and clubs in cellars near the medieval town. Young Polish students are extremely open and hospitable, they will be eager to meet you and make friends.
For those who wish to explore Poland beyond the churches and monuments of the larger cities, the Tatra Mountains National Park, located near the border with Slovakia, is popular for hiking during the summer months.
Krakow has excellent rail and air links with the rest of Poland and other major European cities such as Prague, Bratislava and Budapest - Poland's capital city Warsaw is a few hours train ride away.
In Krakow, you get a lot for your złoty. Most students find that they can live comfortably on a small student budget due to the relatively low cost of living. Three meals a day are included, so you can use your funds to take advantage of the city's amazing culture and nightlife.
Krakow is still relatively undiscovered, so experience the magic before it's gone! I would highly recommend the CEA program in Krakow to any student wishing to have a wonderful and unforgettable experience in the heart of Central Europe!
