SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS [EN]

Foreigners Integration Center in Poznań is a comprehensive form of assistance for migrants staying in Wielkopolska, providing holistic support in their local environment. The idea of the Centers is to concentrate various social services in one place. Depending on the reported needs – the offer will include:

• running an information point where migrants will receive the necessary information on various aspects related to everyday life in Poland,
• organization of Polish language courses and adaptation courses,
• support of intercultural advisers,
• legal and psychological support,
• animation and integration activities for children and adults,
• development of professional competences,
• social campaigns and activities for the local community,
• additionally, intercultural trainings for social assistance and integration staff are also planned.

Migrant Info Point in Poznań is a place that was established in autumn 2013 for foreigners living in Poznan. Our goal is to support individuals and families arriving in our city in adapting to new conditions and provide necessary assistance. Our services are aimed at migrants, and they are always free of charge. That means that by using the services you can be sure that they are free of charge. IP proposes professional support for employers in hiring foreign workers, encompassing four service categories: assistance with work legalization, audits to ensure employment legality, legal advice and opinions, and training. For exmple:

• Consultations - Have you just arrived in Poznań? Or maybe you have been living here for some time, but have questions related to daily matters (such as how to register with a clinic, what is the PEKA card, what options you have for driver’s license exchange, and many others), or maybe you want to submit documents for a residence card? Questions regarding residence and work legalization are definitely the most common ones, but not the only ones you can come to us with. During consultations, we will gladly support you in getting acclimated to your new place. If the scope of the consultation requires it, we will arrange a meeting with our lawyer for you! We target all people interested in work, working and employers.
• We conduct individual consultations and group workshops. Personal consultation on such matters as:
  • CV and cover letter writing, job search techniques
  • Legal employment, labor law regulations
  • Job search and employment for people with disabilities
  • For employers – legal employment of foreigners
  • Starting a business
  • Establishing a Trusted Profile / Where and how to use a Trusted Profile
    Group training sessions include:
  • CV and cover letter writing, job search techniques
  • Legal employment, labor law regulations
  • Recognition of diplomas
  • For youth – first job, employment of minors, what is volunteering
  • PIT-11 tax settlement
  • Business activities, my first business
  • Effective communication with employers
  • Training for employers – legal employment of foreigners
• The Integration Initiatives Teams in Migrant Info Point is dedicated to organizing events that bring together migrants and the local population. We arrange events, meetings, workshops, language and sports classes, as well as trainings for all age groups and nationalities. Our main goal is the integration of individuals from different parts of the world with Polish people. Participants take part in activities we propose, such as English classes, relaxing fitness sessions, and handicraft workshops. By participating in these free initiatives, participants not only make new acquaintances and form friendships but also acquire useful skills and competencies.Integration initiatives also offer an excellent opportunity for professional development. Through volunteering at Migrant Info Point, our volunteers have the chance to pursue their passions and spread their wings. They can also test themselves in new situations and contribute to the local community. We encourage you to follow our activities on social media to stay up to date.
• We target people who want to learn Polish, sometimes from scratch, sometimes to continue learning. We run regular courses from A0 to B1 level, and we prepare for the state exam at B1 level. We also have conversation clubs for intermediate and advanced learners, where we practice speaking and meet new people. There are 3 permanent teachers at MIP, Julia, Marta and Alicja, but we also cooperate with many other experienced teachers.
  How to get to the course? First of all, you need to sign up through the link on the website for the waiting list. Several times a year we send an email to the entire waiting list at the same time with an invitation to specific courses. And then the first-come, first-served rule applies! You need to fill out the application form from the message as soon as possible. This is followed by a short phone call, during which we check the language level of those who have signed up for the course and assign them to the appropriate group. Our classes usually start in January, April and September, but sometimes we have additional courses. We divide the groups into Slavic and non-Slavic language speakers. In this division, it’s all about the first, native language, not the language the students know.
• Mentoring is about helping newcomers to a country adjust and integrate into the local community. Mentoring can really help people who are in a new environment and need to cope with their new life in another country. The mentoring program at MIP has been in operation since 2015. Each mentee is paired with a trained volunteer mentor whose task is to support and assist the mentee in their integration journey. Together, they will set goals and work towards them for a period of 3-6 months.
• Migrant Info Point implements activities for education stakeholders – formal and informal.

Finding a job in Poland without speaking Polish can be challenging. Many companies use internal procedures, documents, and communication mainly in Polish, which may make everyday work and adaptation more difficult for international employees. In some workplaces, not all team members speak English or other foreign languages fluently.

For this reason, we strongly recommend learning at least the basics of the Polish language before starting your job search or employment in Poland. Even basic communication skills can help you integrate more easily, understand workplace expectations, and feel more comfortable in everyday situations.

You can also browse job offers that do not require Polish language skills here:
https://www.pracuj.pl/praca/poznan;wp?rd=30&wpl=true

Learning at least basic Polish can make everyday life, studies, and finding a job in Poland much easier. Fortunately, there are many free ways to start learning Polish online. You can use popular mobile applications such as Duolingo, Memrise, Busuu, or Drops to practice vocabulary and basic communication skills. Many of these apps offer free lessons for beginners and can help you learn at your own pace.

You can also find information about free Polish language courses in Poznań offered for international residents by Migrant Info Point. You can join the waiting list here.

More information about different possibilities for learning Polish in Poznań.

Attention! New polish course recrutation starts soon (June 3). Hurry up and sign up here!

Poznań offers a wide range of cultural attractions which bring artists together from around the world. You can take part in various events: festivals, concerts, workshops and many other initiatives. You can read about it in a various places, for example at the Poznan website, where you can find a calendar with upcoming events.

You can also check Official Tourist Website of Poznań and Poznań Aglomeration to find practical info about sightseeing, moving around the city etc.