Job Discussion Forums

[dynow]

[quote="Master Shake]
Since when did I write anything about returning state side? .quote]

I think it's pretty clear that we've been discussing ESL in Poland and then what you will do with it in the USA/Canada/Australia should you decide to return after a long stint in ESL. Jack Walker was talking about this directly, I was simply chiming in and commenting off of your post.

You're American, still in your 20's, no kids, no wife. It's great that you're happy doing what you're doing but when it comes time to get married and start popping out babies, buy a house, 2 cars.....big boy stuff, your experience teaching ESL abroad for however many years may not go very far should you decide to head back to the states. Again, not saying that's your plan but it certainly should be in the back of any ESL'er's head. I went to Poland with a full head of steam and after 18 months knew there was simply no way I was going to raise a family there and retire. No F'in way.

[simon_porter00]

[simon_porter00]

[dynow]

simon_porter00 wrote:

[Richfilth]

[Jack Walker]

Jack here;
It's certainly possible to have a big boy's life in Poland with all the bells and whistles. It's not easy and in 10 years or so you'll probably regret your decision if you're a foreigner. You have to look at the big picture and that big picture shows that strictly TEFL is no life in the end.

[Master Shake]

[hrvatski]

I'm aware of an Australian dude in Krakow who makes good money coordinating locals to renovate apartments for foreign investors. Arguably takes more effort than I'd be willing to put in, but there is life outside TEFL in Poland for foreigners.

My main problem with Poland is the winter, reszta może być.

[blaz88]

Well, things have started to pick up in Canada. Began my old job within the investigation industry again and making good money after 10 months trying to do something different than what I am experienced in. However, I had 10 years experience prior to 2004 when I first arrived in Poland. Was completely burnt out and wanted a new start and change, thats what led me to teach and was the best year of my life. So fast forward to 2011. 6 years teaching in Poland, 3 years Head Coach paid position of American football in Poland, Polish wife and extended family, travel opportunities, great clients in the teaching industry in Wroclaw. I am not looking for advice just sharing my experience to display what true internal happiness is as well as internal gratification from life. Currently, my wife is making good Canadian dollars and I am back making good money again as well after 10 months of searching for a job that would utilise my teaching/coaching/investigation experinces. Nothing was happining. So I am back in the industry which lead me to seek a new begining. Quite ironic. At the end of the day its an easy choice for my wife and I.Will work here for a bit, save some cash and return to Europe. Its life style. Regardless of others' comments about " the teaching English life struggle", I never found it a struggle. After a year being back its very clear to me where we are much happier.

[TwinCentre]

Glad things seem to be starting to show signs of improvement for the OP back home in Canada, even if he wishes to return to Europe later. When I spent the final days of my grand -14 year EFL treck in Poland, a group of us disgruntled exapts used to term going back home and trying to start over as 'Jumping in the ditch'.

I finally left Poland, quit EFL and returned to the UK a year ago, and I am still not through the woods yet, but I can see the path out...

If you want to quit TEFL and return home, it is worth doing, no point being an unhappy TEFler all your life....met many of those. With the current economic climate, going home with funds and some kind of realistic and solid business idea will help, even if as a fall back.

If you are happy with what you are doing then good for you, of course. Students need teachers who have at least a little enthusiasm for their job.

[sharter]

I've just spent 3 weeks in Poznan and it's really gone to the dogs. Go go bars in the rynek....cruddy, overpriced restaurants everywhere and nothing to make it stand out at all. I spent loads of time at Lake Malta...but you'll do a tonne of money there. Poznan needs a facelift. I ate out every day and had only 1 decent meal..that was the Japanese restaurant in City Park.....lovely sushi but way beyond your average TEFLER's pocket.

Polish beer sucks too....always has done...can just about stand Tyskie.

[dynow]

I'm not the biggest fan of Polish beer either but yeah, Tyskie is one of those beers you can drink if you have to and not complain too much.

I recently picked up a few bottles of Karpackie, great beer for hot summers.

[delphian-domine]

[scot47]

If Poland is such a great place to be how is that Western Europe - even deprived areas like mine - are full of economic migrants from Poland ?

[mitsui]

Exactly. How many Poles did I see in London? Quite a few, they were working at hotels, mostly.