Job Discussion Forums

misskaty · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 16

Hello, this is my first post here. Smile

In February I am going to Poland to work as a teaching assistant in a gymnasium.

I'll be living with a friend who is working in another school, in Walbrzych (it's about 1 hour from Wroclaw, or so we have been told!).

Does anyone know anything about the town? My friend is worried that it will be really quiet and that there will be nothing to do there.

We will be earning 450 Euros a month (I think it is around 1,700 zloty), but have no bills to pay and get a hot meal each day and a travel pass, and return flights.

I have quite a few questions! I'm not sure what to pack. Are there any things which you can't get in rural Poland which could be useful?

We have been told that beds in Poland are not like here (UK), they are small and hard, and we can't complain as we have been warned in advance. Is that true?

What's the chocolate like over there? (Very important!!)
Will people be able to tell I am a foreigner just by looking at me?
Can you buy applicator tampons?

Any other tips?

Thank you, look forward to some replies and maybe meeting anyone who is in the area next year. Smile

phantombedwetter

misskaty · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 16

Thanks phantom!

I have been having Polish classes, finding it tough though. It's certainly the hardest language I have ever learned. We will continue to have classes while we are there, which will be helpful.

I have no expensive habits..well apart from magazines, and I won't be able to understand Polish magazines!

Were you being sarcastic to me? I don't know if you are male or female but I have been to other countries where it was only possible to buy non applicator tampons.

Oh, I have another question. My boyfriend is probably going to visit, he is mixed-race. He said he is a bit concerned that he may experience racism. Anyone know anything about this? I would feel really bad if he came all that way to see me and someone insulted him.

phantombedwetter · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

Hi,
I'm male and to be perfectly honest I don't know what an "Applicator tampon" is? But I'm sure you can get them.

The mixed race boyfriend may be a problem in small cities as far as racism is concerned, but I'm not really qualified to answer that, maybe another site member may be able to help.

Racism is still a sickening feature of many former Eastern Bloc countries, but mixed race and black people I know in Krakow say they have no problems.

Good luck with the Polish!

Sgt Bilko · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 136 Location: POLAND

Walbrzych is in the mining belt. It had the reputation of being one of the most polluted places in Poland - although I think the closing of some mines may have helped. The countryside round there is beautiful, though and close to the mountains. It's not such a small town and has the usual big mega stores (not sure which ones but one or more of Tesco/Carrefour/Real). I drove through and didn't stop so can't hep much.

I guess size-wise, industry-wise and close to countryside-wise, we're talking a Barnsley type place. Could be worse, I guess.

I'm not a chocolate expert and have always found it acceptable enough but I've known others say that even the Cadbury's over here isn't REALLY Cadbury's. Be prepared to be disappointed.

Harry from NWE · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 283

Harry from NWE · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 283

Harry from NWE · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 283

misskaty · Joined: 11 Dec 2007 Posts: 16

Thanks for the informative replies!

I live in Wolverhampton at the moment which isn't exactly the most beautiful or exciting place to be, so Walbryzch sounds fine to me.

I have a Czech Jewish background, some people have said I look a bit Jewish but I don't think it's so obvious people would notice just by looking at me. Guess I'll find out.

We have been told we can earn extra money teaching students at a private school. We are only working 22 hours a week in the public school.

I'm a bit saddened to hear that it might not be a good idea for my boyfriend to visit. Ah it makes me very sad that these sorts of prejudices still exist. He's more English than I am! But yeah, maybe Berlin would be a good idea, it would probably be more exciting for him to go there.

Harry, what's *beep*?????

I'm not a huge drinker and would rather spend my time going in the mountains, maybe ski-ing and seeing the country.

Smile

redsoxfan · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 178 Location: Dystopia

Oh for heaven's sake, it's totally fine for your boyfriend to visit you. Nothing bad will happen, just a few curious glances.

Harry from NWE · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 283

clarabellea · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

Hi,

I also live in a small town in Poland although not in the same area. I had a mixed race friend to visit and we didn't have any problems apart from a few stares which isn't surprising since about 50% of my students claim they have never seen a black person in real life before. If you can live with some curious looks then you should be ok.

The chocolate here is rubbish! The stuff that claims to be Cadbury's isn't even close but if you like Milka you can get it in most shops. I doubt very much you will find applicator tampons. I have never seen any here and it's not for lack of looking.

I agree with the person who said to bring a warm coat. Consider that a must. I imagine that you will be able to get most things you could want in Wroclaw so I wouldn't worry too much about bringing loads of stuff with you.

On 1700zl you will be able to live but don't expect to save much if anything. It depends how extravagant you are really. Lots of Polish people live on less so it shouldnt be too bad.

Anyway Good Luck!

I really hope you enjoy your time in Poland!

Rusty77 · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Toronto

MissKaty,
I lived in the Wroclaw area for a year, and I did visit Walbrzych and nearby Jelenia Gora twice. The other replies have given you plenty on your boyfriend's fitting in/living conditions, etc., so perhaps I can offer a useful comment on one of your other questions: the skiing. I skiied at Karpacz(pronounced like "Kar-pach"(near Jelenia Gora, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from Walbrzych by train) and it wasn't bad: they've got about 20 runs, only a handful of chairlifts, but the lift tickets are so incredibly cheap and with virtually no lift lines it's a real delight. There's also another more popular and commercialized resort called Szklarska Poreba (pronounced like "Sh-klarska Por-em-ba)The season's a bit short though: from Christmas to early March only. Of course, the hiking in the Sudety Mountains around Jelenia Gora and Karpacz is amazing.
I lived in both big-city and small city Poland during my 3 years there, and have to say it's a toss-up as far as pros and cons go: I learned how to speak Polish partly because I was in a small city my first year, which was great, but I found it too be lonely and isolating at times. Still, overall, I have fond memories of my year in Kalisz. The people were very nice to me and I saw no overt acts of racism. As for the few Asian people who lived or visited there, I saw people rudely staring at them, but no acts of racism were ever reported in the news during that year (2004).
Good luck--just keep your mind open and you'll have a memorable and awesome time!