Considering studying at Poznan University of Economics and Business? - Prepare for a culture shock!

“Seeking the truth is a primary goal of any academic research, which should be accompanied by a reliable transmission of the knowledge discovered.” - PUEB's Mission study year 2015/2016.

Truth, reliability, effectiveness, respect, transparency, innovativeness, friendliness, this is where Poznan University of Economics and Business (PUEB) stands for. Damn, this sounds too perfect, I couldn’t wait to start my bachelor here. And after their vision my day could not be better: "As an attractive employer, the Poznań University of Economics and Business will help its staff as well as undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students to realise their aspirations.” It suits perfect with my job at a Polish IT company as Business Developer for the Dutch market.

Transparency
The year started and as a fanatic sports player (national and international level) at Medical University in Warsaw, I didn’t have to worry from PUEB about my Physical Education subject (PE). I only needed a signed document from the Director of PE. Sounds easier than it was, it took me a small 8 months before I had an official agreement. I didn’t expect it was so hard for international students, but a lot of official communication points at PUEB are in Polish, so it's impossible to reach for international students. So I was looking for the English agreements on the website, but it’s really hard to find them.

Truth
Okay, and on, as my study didn’t exist only out of PE. I passed all my subjects during the first semester, except Mathematics. Yes, for some people it’s hard! Ah well, I made an agreement with my professor to pass it in the second semester, so I did that peacefully with a 3. The second semester was actually totally different, different interesting subjects and motivated professors were ready to learn us about the topics they love and share the experiences they have. The second semester went well, until I went to the Centre of English Studies (Biuro Studiów Angloj?zycznych, only in Polish unfortunately) in May 2016 (It’s the communication point for international students) with a quite regular student question. At that point, they mentioned that I wasn’t a student anymore. I was like what? How? I never received a written letter by post or email with an announcement plus explanation. Until today I still don’t know the exact reason why that happened. Okay, never mind I thought and still went to my classes, what actually was quite strange that all my professors still accept me in the lessons, right?

Respect
One professor asked me if I was an Erasmus student (Exchange student) and what my name was, even if she knew who I was. I get kicked out several times of her classes if I didn’t know an answer on a question. Even to other students, she freaked out that we, “as men”, don’t respect her.

Reliability, Transparency and Innovativeness
I asked the university to rollout all my documents, including my attendance list, marks list and all my exams and projects, as I wanted to be sure that I didn’t made a mistake. Until today, I still didn't receive anything. As I know they don't have it. The attendance is not registered, as a student supposed to attend at least 50% of all the classes (no lectures!) (I don’t know how they do this), my exams and project they couldn’t give, as some exams we pass whole semester subjects without doing any test of knowledge (Polish language). What basically means that they treat students on different ways (based on who they are). They don’t have proof of what they’re doing. I asked the university what I, as a student, could do as a student to pass my second year, but they couldn’t give me a proper answer.

Friendliness
Yesterday (20-06-2016), after they postponed my email, I received a proposal (from an other person than promised), that I can do all the exams, except one (because of attendance, I don’t know how they will prove if I’ve been or not) and enrol in the second year without following officially any classes (as I was expelled). I don’t know how they do this formally. Of course, I didn’t agree, as I have to pass all my exams in the retake session without any other possibilities. The emails after that, I didn’t get any answer on my questions, so still waiting.

Conclusion
I don’t understand anything of PUEB’s mission and vision. I see some terms, like transparency, from another perspective. It would be good that international students realise that Polish people can think different and interpret rules in a different way than other cultures. The university would do well to keep in its communication its target audience of people from around the world in mind. This would make Poland more attractive. Anyway, perhaps Poland does not need innovation!

I know this is happening with more students and I can’t sit and accept. I want this to be changed for future (international) students. Please, take above in good consideration before going to PUEB. Also, read your agreement carefully before signing anything.

Mission and vision PUEB: https://ue.poznan.pl/…/uniwersy…/o-uczelni,c28/wizja,a72.html (Year 15/16)

I'm curious about your experiences with PUEB. Please let me know!