Job Discussion Forums

ibasiram · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 107

I heard that about Katowice too, really ugly. I've passed thru it by train. didn't seem very pretty. I think, though, that a place is as pretty, or ugly, as a person themselves make it. For example, I worked in Elblag, northern Poland. It's not really that pretty, but I loved it because I didn't listen to how ugly and boring people said it was.

Chris · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 4:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Jonney,

As for how Katowice looks--you're right, it ain't a pretty sight. I know. I've lived in Sosnowiec for the past 6 years--and starting my 7th! Sosnowiec is right next door to Katowice, and I've worked there for the past 3 years.

Why have I stayed? The people. Really. They are wonderful! And no, I'm not talking about the women--I am one myself! The men are nothing to talk about unfortunately for me. But the people really are great to know and work with.

Also, Katowice is very near the mountains and there are overnight trains to the region's capitals--Budapest, Bratislava, Prague, Vienna, Berlin--and of course Warsaw.

So, it really is up to the person...

Good luck!

Chris

jonney · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 28

Cheers, Chris,
I appreciate both of the last two posts. I agree absolutely that a place is only as good as the way you see it - and good people can make anywhere seem worth living in.
Don't get me wrong here, I am not some constantly drunk Englishman - only occassionally - but I love nice bars, cafes and restaurants - I am a real people person and love sitiing around in nice pubs and cafes talking the evening away. Does Katowice, despite it's outward appearance, have a few nice little hideaways where an Englishman can sip a pint or two of an evening. This question might seem stupid as pretty much every city has bars and restaurants, but I have been told that they are a bit grim in Katowice.

Chris · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 8:10 pm Post subject:

Actually, there are quite a few nice pubs and restaurants in Katowice (and a few here is Sosnowiec). I go to Katowice once in a while just for a change. It's definately nicer during the summer when all the "parasolki" (umbrellas--outdoor seating) are out. The main street in the center is lined with them. But even in winter, there are some cool places.

There are about, from what I remember, 50 expats working at IH here, and they know where to go. There are a few ex-pat pubs--Morgan's run by an Irishman, Spencer's, and Zrodlo (Orange pub--the Polish name is nearly impossible to pronounce!) are just a few. Zrodlo is the place that I used to hang out with the IH people I knew.

There are some really nice parks and small lakes in Katowice to get away from the city. I don't know, most of the people I've talked to who have actually come to Katowice tell me it really isn't as bad as they first thought it would be. And many of them have stayed--like me--for an extended period of time.

Also, Cinema City just opened last year near the center--10 screens, and nearly all movies are original with Polish subtitles.

This place really grows on you! Smile

Maybe I'm not very objective.. But I planned on staying for 2 years and I've stayed for over 6! And that is NOT because I was "attached".. Smile

I'm not... I just found my niche here I guess..

Alex Shulgin · Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 553

In this month's Warsaw Insider magazine Katowice is named as the worst place in Poland to spend a weekend. Every year the awards has had such a catagory Katowice has won it. Altho' Radom has been providing some stiff competetion and will probably soon overtake Katowice.

ibasiram · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 107

Wow, I'm really surprised that Radom didn't win. I've heard realy awful things about that place and no doubt it will overtake Katowice soon.
Yea, I guess every city has their cool bars, even those small ones where I hang around. Seems as if one would have no trouble meeting some expats in Katowice.
By the way, Morgans used to have a pub in Poznan too, but that closed down a few years ago.
Well, with all this talk about Katowice, I ight head down there myself while on my jobhunt......

Selyer · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 62 Location: Poland

Just a quick note about the professional development that IH schools gives its teachers.... IH Katowice, Opole, Wroclaw and Bielsko-Biala are all affiliated with each other and do their training together. So if you work for one of those schools, not only do you get the in-house training at your particular school, but you also have the option of going to the saturday training days (once a quarter) at any of the other schools. That's part of the reason, I'd say, for all of them having the same reputation for good training. Smile

ibasiram · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 107

Yes, Selyer, you're right. IH Wroclaw, B Biala, Katowice and Opole are all affiliated together. That does make them the best IH in Polska and that's why the other IH schools in Poland struggle constantly.

mike10 · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 28

Mary 55 · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 5

mandivided · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 15

Katowice is a dark, ugly, dirty, grey city. Moreover, it's unlike anywhere else in Silesia due to the fact that it doesn't have a market square - a feature you'll find in most Polish cities and towns. During the socialist era, people from all over Poland flocked to Katowice in order to work in the mines, which have since shut down - hence the reason for high unemployment, street crime etc. As a matter of fact, I spent last Saturday night stranded in Katowice (I live in a nearby city) and I was shocked by the sight of twenty or so elderly people sleeping rough in the main railway station - something I haven't encountered in other Polish cities.

Having said all that (and I've only touched the surface), you might have a great time there. And on a positive note, there are some nice, upscale-ish (for Upper Silesia) shops in the centre, as well as a very nice cafe/deli...and a cinema with nine screens. And there's some decent bands out and about.

If you do decide to head to Katowice, I'd keep the following in mind:

1. The locals all think Katowice's dangerous, not just foreign ESL teachers.
2. The locals will all warn you to take care when out at night.
3. The city centre doesn't appear to be too heavily patroled by the police.
4. People will automatically presume that you're wealthy.
5. Taxi drivers will try to rip you off.

P.S. If you're black or Asian, don't even think of coming here (foreign students of color don't tend to go out alone after sunset).

slodziak · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 143 Location: Tokyo

Hang on, hang on!

I've been living and working in Katowice for nearly a year now and it really isn't that bad.

I agree that locals and expats alike go on about how unsafe Katowice is at night but has anyone actually seen any violence? I saw some when I was studying in Krakow but not a thing while living here.

There are some great pubs and restaurants around here; a good little scene if you are willing to explore. And yes, the people are fantastic. Good to work with and good to hang out with.

Also my wife is half Japanese/ half Sri Lankan. While she is in a definite minority she certainly doesn't get a hard time from anyone. A lot of genuine interest more like.

I first passed through Katowice on my way back to Krakow one night two years ago. I remember thinking I wouldn't want to spend much time here because it smells, it's dark and grimy; basically a dive, and a bleak one at that. I have learnt that all of these things are true and what's more you will probably die younger if you spend too long here. But that hasn't stopped me from falling in love with the place!

Strange maybe but I know some others who have been similarly seduced by Katowice's charm.

Give the town a bit of a clean up and you will have quite a handsome European town on your hands.

If anyone wants a tour just let me know.

Stephen

Szeliczka · Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 14

zippy2k · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 42 Location: Riyadh

Why I came:

I made friends with a guy who'd moved from Switzerland to Gdansk via my church who was Polish but spoke(almost) perfect English

I never got to see behind the former "Iron Curtain"just after it came down owing to a travelling companion more interested in a tan...The sense of mystery...

Poland joined the EU

I was offered a job in the tricity

I wanted to learn a Slavic language

Why I stayed a 2nd year:

My Polish was like an educated 2 year old's...

Polish trains...

I have never not been paid,even if its rarely on time.

the students are some of the best in the world(watch out for the fat old women though - why I left Katowice...)

I got to the stage where I could hold a reasonable conversation with almost anyone. The warmth, kindness and simplicity of a previously unknown world was then opened to me, and that's one of the main things I like about Poland...

I could go on but time forbids... Smile

Khrystene · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 271 Location: WAW, PL/SYD, AU

to LIVE!