A dormitory is a building which consists of many rooms where students live, sometimes with a roommate or two. The rooms tend to be small, just enough for bed(s), desk(s), and shelves. Each room comes with an attached bathroom which is to be shared if you have a roommate. Unlike apartments, dorm rooms do not have a kitchen inside, but do have a fridge. There is a common kitchen shared by each floor with other appliances.

At first, you might feel alone. It’s definitely not easy adjusting to a new country. You will meet many wonderful human beings from around the world. You might even find some people odd with unusual behaviour. Just remember, everyone will be different in their own way. Try to get to know them better and you might even find a new friend!

Independence means a little more responsibility. You will not have your parents cleaning your room, making your bed, or doing your laundry. PUMS dormitories have wonderful cleaning ladies that clean the kitchens, and other common areas on weekdays. However, it will be your responsibility to keep your room and clean toilets. You are also expected to cleanup after yourself upon using any communal facilities, for example in the kitchens and laundry rooms.  You will be provided with some cleaning essentials, however it’s best to invest in your own cleaning supplies upon moving in to keep your room sparkling. A vacuum, mop, and a bucket will be available with the porter to borrow.

Room inspections will take place unexpectedly over the year too, so make sure you have your room and toilets in good condition at all times. You cannot smoke or cook in your rooms either. It is important you remember this as you can land yourself in trouble if you disobey the terms of your contract.

If you choose to stay in a dormitory, you’re most likely going to be assigned a roommate in your first year. One common concern tends to be whether or not you will get along with each other. Your study habits will tend to differ. You could be an early riser and your roommate, a night owl.

Each room comes furnished meaning that you will not have to buy your own stuff. When moving in you must make sure that nothing is damaged and will be expected to contact an RA who will assess the contents of your room to make sure everything is ok.

In dorms, internet is provided free of charge over a high speed Ethernet connection. You can buy your own router thus having your own access to wifi. Routers are relatively cheap in Poland and we recommend you just buy them in Poznan.

Over the year if anything is is damaged or needs any repairs, each dormitory has its own report system. Depending on the nature of your problem, you do not have to pay for fixing broken utilities. You can also pick up light bulbs for free from your porter.

Each dorm has a team of Residential Advisors (RA’s) who are students representing the university and acting as intermediaries between students and dormitory administration. The purpose of the RA system is to promote an environment of cooperation between students and maintain a sense of community within dorms. They also protect the interests of students and facilitate an optimal environment for studying and sleeping. If Residents are faced with a problem, they should not hesitate to approach the RA’s. This may concern but is not limited to roommate disputes/conflicts, questions about the dormitory, help with personal issues, suggestions to make dorm life better, and safety. The RA’s will try their best to help solve the issue, or point the resident in another direction where they can find help.

Certain RA’s are also trained as ‘councillors’ for all students – even if you do not live in dorms. The university understands that life away from home is never easy and RA’s can deal with issues related to home sickness, depression, anxiety, sexual harassment, alcoholism, substance abuse, among many other problems. We work closely with the university psychologists, and every RA has a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) as part of our contracts.

You cannot, I repeat CAN NOT! cook inside your room. There is a common kitchen on each floor with stove tops, and some toaster ovens. There have been fires in the past (where thankfully nobody has been hurt), so it is an actively enforced rule inside dorms. Remember that smell travels even if you have your windows open. Not only will you save yourself from a heavy fine, but you will avoid waking up your fellow residents in the middle of the night when the spoke detector goes off, and everyone has to evacuate the building due to the Fire brigade.

Also, do not cover the smoke detectors. Random room inspections are conducted and there are serious consequences for it  (you can even be kicked out because of this).

It is also strictly forbidden to smoke/vape in any dorm or building at PUMS. If you’re smoking in dorms especially (as smell travels), you will be issued with a straight violation. You must read the regulations extensively and try to keep a clean sheet.

Each dormitory has security guards/porters. They will allow residents to enter if they show their university ID. You will have to scan your ID in the lobby for the door to open. So keep your ID with you at all times.

Keep your doors locked at all times too. There is a risk of theft, and if its a case where it was due to your room door being unlocked, the Dormitories will not take any responsibility for it.

If you find yourself in any trouble, do not hestitate to contact the RA’s for help.