Every country has its own unwritten rules, little quirks you only discover once you're already living there. Poland is no different. After spending time here as a volunteer in Rzeszów, here are five things I genuinely wish someone had told me before I arrived.
5. Shops are closed on Sundays
This one can catch you completely off guard if nobody warns you. Picture this: it's Sunday, your fridge is empty, and you figure you'll just pop out to grab a few things. Then you arrive at the supermarket and find the doors locked. Not broken, not an off day. Just closed, because Sunday is a rest day in Poland and almost all shops stay shut. It's not unusual in parts of Europe, but if you're not used to it, the first time it happens feels like a small disaster.
The fix is simple: do your shopping by Saturday at the latest. And if you somehow forget, there is always a Żabka somewhere nearby with its lights on.
4. The weather is more extreme than you might expect
Polish winters are well known, but the full picture is worth knowing before you pack. Winter runs from December to February with temperatures regularly hitting minus twenty degrees, heavy snow and icy winds included. Spring is mild but unpredictable, with cold mornings and sudden rain right up until May. Summer is genuinely warm, twenty to thirty degrees through June to August, though late afternoon thunderstorms have a habit of appearing out of nowhere. Autumn brings beautiful colours and a slow chill that turns into frost and rain by November.
The short version: dress in layers, invest in proper winter gear, and don't assume the weather will behave just because it was sunny an hour ago.
3. Learning even a little Polish goes a long way
Polish is not an easy language. It has its own alphabet, its own sounds, and seven grammatical cases. Nobody expects you to arrive fluent. But what I noticed in my first few weeks is how much people's reactions change when you make even a small effort. A few basic phrases signal that you respect the culture and are genuinely trying to be here, not just passing through.
The ones worth knowing from day one: Dzień dobry (good day), Dziękuję (thank you), Proszę (please), Tak (yes), Nie (no). Start there and build from wherever curiosity takes you.
2. Poland is affordable, but the currency is not the Euro
Compared to most of Western Europe, Poland is genuinely inexpensive. Day to day life costs noticeably less, which makes a real difference over weeks and months. What catches some people out is the currency: Poland uses the Złoty, not the Euro. ATMs are easy to find across the country, and you can also exchange currency before you leave home. Just check the rates beforehand and make sure you're not losing money on a bad exchange.
1. The food is worth every conversation it takes to find it
Polish cuisine deserves more attention than it gets. It's hearty, deeply flavourful, and rooted in a culinary tradition that combines Slavic cooking with influences from neighbouring countries. The things you absolutely have to try: pierogi, dumplings filled with potato and cheese or meat; bigos, a rich stew of cabbage and various meats; żurek, a tangy fermented rye soup with sausage and egg; and kiełbasa, Polish sausage in more varieties than you'd expect.
Eating here isn't just about the food itself. It's one of the quickest ways into the culture, the warmth, and the everyday life of the country.
Smacznego!
So there it is. Sort your groceries before Sunday, pack for real winter, learn five words of Polish, grab some Złoty, and come hungry. Poland will do the rest.
Torben - A volunteer from Germany