Krakow Exchange report

Yi Lin Host institution: Cracow University of Technology Faculty: Architecture Department Co-coordinator:Dr coordinator:Dr hab.ing.arch.Anna Franta Institutional Co-co-ordinator:Jolanta ordinator:Jolanta Klimowicz Period of study:October 2009-February February 2010

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

Table of Contents 1. Introdution 2. Practical Information 3. Social and Cultural Experiences 4. Professional Experiences 5. Conclusion

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

1. Introdution Information The reason of taking part in the Erasmus programme Joining the Erasmus program, for me is an exciting, challenging plunge into the culture and academic life of another country. Exchange semester isn’t just a carefree spent advance specialized knowledge, travelling, exploring nightlife and meeting new people. It is an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Why Krakow Krakow is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland and the unofficial cultural capital of Poland, It is a major attraction for both local and international tourists, and its also a major center of education. It seems like a great melting pot, which melts the culture of distinct European countries by exchange students, moreover living expenses is also one of main reasons to choose Krakow as my destination. learning goals The Program of studies provided by Krakow University of Technology is attractive especially to me. I want to get a comprehensive view of the overall Architecture situation, wonder how I got along in the future after education in Denmark.

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

2. Practical Information Transportation Direct from Copenhagen to Krakow by aeroplane is convenient. The John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Balice located near Krakow, in the village of Balice, 11 km west of the city centre, in southern Poland. Low cost fight tickets are available on the Norwegian Company homepage (www.norwegian.no), but you have to book it 2 weeks before travel. The low price is around 300 Danish kroner. There are different options for you to go to central. It depend where do you live.

Access form the airport by bus (208,292), Travelling time is approximately 35min.There is also a railway route from the airport to central. It take 15 min and cost 6 zł.

It is not expensive for the Public Transport in the city. All the ticket are available at normal and reduced rates. For the student, you can get the single trip(1,25 zł),night ticket(2.50 zł).

After you get the student card, you can get the monthly card(47zł) in the central office.

Residence During the exchange semester, I lived in the dormitory which provided by university. The dormitory is located in s.Skarzynskiego street 1,two persons share one room for sleeping a study, 4 persons share one toilet and bathroom, Residents who live in the same floor share one communal kitchen.You can imagine that different national classmates live in the same building, it is full of a lot fun .The rental price of dormitory is around 280zł per month. It is a very good price ,even in Krakow.

But there is one thing I shall mention is you have to legalize your stay (lasting more than 3 months) in Poland ,It means you need prepare some documents if you want to stay in dormitory more than 3 months. You need prepare the application form (one original + three copies), copy of passport or other document which confirms the personal data and nationality (passport or ID), confirmation of temporary registration issued by DS-4, the confirmation from university. a copy of European Insurance Card, and statement written in Polish in which you declare that you have adequate amount of money to stay in Poland without taking social benefits Consumption Prices in Krakow are much cheaper in comparison to Copenhagen. I usually buy groceries in the supermarket.

Biedronka ,Carefour,Tesco ,Real were all excellent choices. I suggest that you can be membership of those supermarket, you get in return some present by your amount of monetary in the end the semester.

Diet I found that polish cuisine is amazingly rich and quite varied. Pierogi is my favourite, Its made from

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

flour filled with meat or cabbage. It is a little bit similar to Chinese dumpling however different taste. I also went to Chinese restaurant frequently, not only price of dish is one third less Copenhagen, also the taste is unique. I also enjoy cooking in the communal kitchen with international friends.

3. Social and Cultural Experiences Erasmus social events (Social Experience) Cracow University of Technology has joined the Erasmus Programme in academic year 1998/1999.Morethan the 100 technical universities in whole Europe have joined the Erasmus Student Network. So you can image how many students from different background and country I met In Krakow. And Erasmus social intercourse provides a good opportunity to cognition different student with different background. Introduce ourselves and greeting for the first time are always important because it provides us the opportunity to express myself and impress people you meet.

Recreation(Social Experience) The ESN(European Students Network) and Erasmus office organize some different cosy and adventurous recreation trip for the Erasmus student during the first week of school(They called ” Orientation week”), For example, we was invited to go canoeing, sightseeing, travelling, degustation the polish typical Polish cuisine. Certainly, you cannot avoid party in Krakow. ,I was so surprise, when I walked downtown for the first time. The Amount of Pubs and clubs are unbelievable!!! This is so especially city for the international student to socializing.Erasmus in Krakow clearly already have profound cultural atmosphere.

Museum & Gallery(Cultural Experience) There are an infinite variety of museums and galleries. If you have interest in Ancient Art, Polish Painting and Polish Sculptures, you can immerse yourself in an artistic atmosphere with a visit to Krakow museum and gallery. And I believe generality of handcraft article reflect the whole historic city. My favorite Museum are Czartoryski Museum in the Main market square and Japanese museum in the bank of the vistula river. Tips: Most Krakow museums admit visitors free of charge one day every week，Also, each Krakow museum is inaccessible one day a week. Plus the museums close for major holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, and November 1 (All Saints' Day), besides,

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

many sites close fairly early, i.e. something like 3 p.m. They may also keep shorter hours or even stay shut on minor holidays and – in some cases – out of the tourist season.

Architecture(Cultural Experience) For me, as a architecture student, there is heightened degree of awareness that Krakow provides a good opportunity to enrich my architecture knowledge. There are varies style of architecture buildings in Krakow. For instance, Romanesque (11th – 12th century), Gothic (13th – 14th century), Renaissance (16th century), Baroque (17th – 18th century).I can distinguish them more clear by the “object architecture teaching lesson” 4. Professional Experiences Building Liveable Cities: Urban Housing Today and Tomorrow(ECTS credits 5) Course description: Lectures are focused on the following themes historical development of residential fabric in cities.Different approaches to the housing problems in the 20 century; residential density and other urban factors allowing evaluation of different housing proposals. family needs and surface area standards of the apartments. Residential buildings – the typology of access, the typology of layout.Spaces between buildings. Privileged groups in the residential complexes – children, handicapped, elderly people. current trends in designing of urban multi-family housing – city block or block of flats. New relations house - place of work in cities of information civilization.

Experience: The professor of this course is very kind and experienced. I set up one work group with one Spanish girl and Korea guy. We made a PowerPoint presentation about children, elderly and handicapped people in healthy community at the end of the semester.

Building Construction Systems/individual research/(ECTS credits 6) Course description: The task of this course is to help students to elaborate the alternatives of technical solutions of the most important details of their design work. Basic form of drawings – from Free-hand, conceptual sketches to technical drawings.

Experience: Because I spent a lot time and effort to learn building construction when I was in Denmark, I would like continue concentrate on construction in Poland, on the other hand, I make this course relevant to my design project (Residential Buildings Design II),So I can design and making research of construction on the same project at the same time.

CAD(ECTS credits 4) Course description: Application of Computer Aided Design methods and techniques into practice. Includes techniques for creating 2D vector (AutoCAD) and raster (Photoshop use to create

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

designs and layouts) graphics and 3D drawings, which are directly related to the real-world architectural structures. New concepts of 3D architectural design and modeling with AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Archicad, CADwork, 3dsMax applications. Introduction of modern tools (Drawing Board) and methods (Graphisoft Virtual Building Solution for Teamwork) into design process: starting from a 3D modeling, through visualization, animation and Virtual Reality into technical layouts, cross sections and dimensioning creation.

Experience: The teacher spent the whole semester teaching us one architectural based software called Archicad. This is quite similar to Revit which we use in Denmark. So for the student from Denmark, Archicad is not very difficult to learn.

Photography(ECTS credits 2) Course description:Practical introduction to photography as well as to digital image Processing techniques. Practical application of photography in architectural work. Developing skills in using archive photography as an iconographic element.

Experience: We have 4 different motives of the photo we shall take during the entire semester: Abstract, Flat, Composition, Simple Object, Still Life, and Dark and Light, Every Wednesday we have to bring some pictures which we took by ourselves to show to professor. It was a really interesting course. It really helped me to consider the way I take photos.

Freehand drawing &composition(ECTS credits 2) Course description: The task of the course is forming observational skills (including a sense of proportion, forms, the effects of light in space, sensitivity to beauty), improving artistic expression, rapid formal synthesis and Recording spatial images through sketching. Drawing tasks: Studio: still-life, furniture arrangements, interior simulations, Architectural details, stain-glass, classical sculpture, masses; Outdoor: monuments and contemporary architectural objects.

Experience: To be frank, this course is difficult at the beginning of semester, the Polish students really good at drawing and painting. Actual, the focal point of this course is perspective, you should be aware about the horizon line and the vanishing point in the perspective. Anyway, my freehand drawing skill has distinctly had big improvements.

Residential Buildings Design II(ECTS credits 8) Course description: The task is to design a residential multifamily building located at the given site, as an element of a model residential complex. The Provided site plan presents the legally binding

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

regulation line delimiting the scale of the residential complex, beyond the zone of Influence of historic architecture. The exercise encompasses the Solution of the entire house and its surroundings, design of a Fragment (3 types of flats), solution of an entrance hall and adjacent .Rooms, and solution of parking facilities. The scope of design presentation encompasses: site plan 1:500,Plans of all floors, 1:100, chosen vertical section 1:100; elevations 1:100; vertical section through the external wall 1:20; perspective Drawing; isometric drawing; description of an idea and technical.During the design process students are obliged to collect their own Valuable sketches, as well as materials that are their inspirations, in a portfolio.

Experience: This is my design project, and I ways remember I continually got useful help consult from professors. It is really nice we have 4 professors in this Course, I really learnt a lot, if you have a hunger for knowledge.

History of Polish art & Architecture (ECTS credits 5) Course description: This course investigates the theory and practice of Polish .architecture from the end of 9th c. till the end of 20th c. based on .examples located in Cracow. The students will examine general and, local factors of development of architecture. It is intended to provide.a understanding of general tendencies and local diversities in history of architecture. By visiting sites in Cracow the students will meet .variety of historic architecture in Poland.

The field case study method is mostly used for this examination.

Experience: This course is one of my favorite courses. And it was really good time to follow the professor around visiting the different types of buildings in Krakow. The history of Krakow historical building really draws my attention.

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN

5.Conclusion If I feel something is right, I will just do it, without regard to consequence. To choose Krakow as my exchange destination came with this feeling. But however, given my situation, this exchange clearly exceeded my expectations and became a unique experience I have made many friends around Europe. They always sincere and thoughtful, and gave heartfelt advice help to me. I look upon as a treasure of my life.

Scenery and landscaping of Poland is amazing. Mountain ,caves, forest, the plentiful culture is attractive for me, make me have aspire to learn about the whole picture of Poland, I always go for travelling within Poland during leisure time. I even went to Kongfu course during the time in Krakow .To make time in Krakow varied and colorful.

For the education part, I was getting more confidence in my architecture design.And enjoy the typical architecture study in Krakow. This kind of experience is valuable for me to consider the future after education in Denmark. My time in Krakow felt too short, But I would never forget the times during my experience.

Krakow, Poland | Erasmus Exchange Programme Yi LIN