Since Poland abolished Communism in 1989, the country has gone through a rapid transformation and is now the sixth largest economy in the European Union. Although the country is quickly changing, it is still a place of charm steeped in history and tradition. Poland shares borders with many countries. To the west, it borders Germany, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia are to the south. In the east, it borders Ukraine and Belarus, and in the north, it borders the Baltic Sea and Lithuania in the northeast. With all these countries surrounding Poland, it is a great place to travel from. The weather in Poland is characterized by warm, but wet summers and cold winters. Poland’s mountainous areas such as the Tatra Mountains receive a fair amount of snow making them an attraction for snow sports enthusiasts. Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004, but it is not part of the Euro currency. Instead, the country has its own currency: the zloty. The tuition fees in Poland are very competitive. Living in Poland is also very affordable, with a month’s rent costing around 250 euros.