Nowi goście w starych murach: opieka nad studentami zagranicznymi na Uniwersytecie Jagiellońskim w latach 1945–1989

In the second half of the 20th century, academic mobility gained new importance, particularly in the context of political and social changes. Throughout the Eastern Bloc, the education of foreign students served not only educational but also propagandistic and diplomatic purposes. The Jagiellonian University, as one of Poland’s oldest and most respected institutions, played a role in this process during the early decades of the Polish People’s Republic.This article examines the origins of the Jagiellonian University’s provision of administrative, organizational, and day-to-day support for international students between 1945 and 1989. It shows the conditions in which they studied and the institutional structures created to support them. Particular attention is paid to how the university responded to the growing presence of international students, the role played by various departments and officials, and the practical implementation of new responsibilities related to their care. A significant contribution of the article is its presentation of original excerpts from the testimonies of foreign students.The research is based primarily on the unpublished archival materials from the Jagiellonian University Archive, including faculty records, policy documents, correspondence, and administrative reports. The article draws on a substantial part of the second chapter of the author’s doctoral dissertation, revised and expanded for this publication. The aim is to shed light on the university’s evolving approach to the presence of foreign students and to contribute to the broader understanding of post-war education, international relations in the Polish People’s Republic, and the history of the Jagiellonian University.