Job Discussion Forums

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Hi,

Has anyone any recent info about or experience of Program Bell Poznan?

I would also love to hear about the city, epecially things to do, cost of living and social life
.
Also, is it easy to find private classes there?

Thanks!

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

Program Bell are well respected in Poznan, they're good employers and look after their staff. I know some people working for them and they have good things to say about them in general. However - they are demanding - and from what I've heard, they're not afraid to fire someone who doesn't meet up to their expectations.

Things to do - everything that you'd expect in a fairly large European city.

Cost of living depends on your expectations. If you give us an idea of the salary on offer, we can give you a realistic answer.

Social life - no problem. There's a healthy expat community, as well as plenty and plenty of people to meet if you don't like expats. The city does shut down during the summer, but there are still plenty of professional people around.

Private classes - competition is high. You can certainly find them, but as the economic crisis starts to bite Poland, they are starting to dry up.

Tell us more and we can tell you more.

eihpos · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 331

Thanks!

OK - They're offer 720 PLN per week for 18 - 19 lessons. This is only 40 zloty a lesson, which seems kind of low. My main worry is living on 2800 PLN and this doesn't include accommodation. Can it be done?

I have the impression that there will be more classes as she mentioned the current teachers are overloaded, but I am mainly worried that I will struggle on this salary.

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

I was getting around 2500zl in the first year here, so like you say - it's a good starting point to get much more. Particularly if the poster is female - a girl can make a lot of money quite quickly here, particularly if they're able to teach children properly.

But yes - I'd try and hold out for 45zl an hour - but with the situation in many language schools in Poznan, I'd be inclined to accept 2800zl if it was guaranteed each month.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Agreed. Except for the bit about girls 'particularly' earning more money. Why can't men earn decent money teaching children? I do. Last time I checked I was paid the same as the female teachers...

And what's this all about then:

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Rent (+czyncz) is likely to be around 1,500Zl...that leaves you less than 2k to live on. It's undoable.

Could you live in the States on less than $600 a month? I mean LIVE, not exist. According to CNN $40 a day is the poverty rate....and the US is cheaper than Poland.

Do the math-Go figure.

delphian-domine · Joined: 11 Mar 2011 Posts: 674

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

That first year won't be much fun.

oipivo · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 163 Location: Poland

"...and the US is cheaper than Poland."

Did we live in the same country? So far, Poland has been cheaper than any place that I've lived in the US. The only things that are more expensive are name brand electronics and clothes. Although stores like H&M are pretty comparable to US prices. I would say that the cost of living is significantly lower here.

ecocks · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 899 Location: Gdansk, Poland

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

I agree with ecocks and oipivo. Poland is significantly cheaper than the US for most things.

First and foremost, because in most parts of the US a car is a basic necessity, In PL public transportation is reasonably priced and efficient in most cities.

Rent varies greatly around the US, but in big cities you're certainly going to pay more in the US than in Poland.

The OP would do well to take the Bell job and share a flat for the first year. Sharing a flat is a great way to make friends in a new city.

If a one-year stint and travelling is the aim, some money should be brought to finance this.

If the OP wishes to stay longer he/she will probably be able to find a better job and make significantly more next year.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

So...clothes, electronics-what about petrol, phone calls, hotels, holidays and a net/tv packages and real estate outside the big cities? Yes property...look in Florida right now and you can get a house with a pool for less than $200,000. Try that in Poland in a place like Wroclaw, Warsaw or Poznan.

Then there's the quality issue. Are you comparing like with like? I know I'd get better food and service in America just about anywhere than Poland for more or less the same price.

And what's an average salary in the States? A lot more than Poland that's for sure.

Granted veges are cheap in Polish markets as are the processed meats...if that's what you want to stuff in you....but beef for example is extortionate in Poland and very shabby.

Relatively, you're better off in America on an average salary...that's why Poles love moving there. Duh.