Job Discussion Forums

[katers]

My background:

25 years old, British, degree in modern languages, CELTA certificate, 18 months of teaching experience in France and Poland.


My situation:

I've been in Krakow teaching English for one year now. I've had a great year in many ways but would like to move on to pastures new. Also, the winter in Krakow this last year was bloody awful (incredibly cold and snowy for 3/4 months, lol). I am also a bit itchy-footed and would like to be in a new place.

However, my boss has given me a great job offer (my choice of working hours, days and levels to teach) for the coming academic year, plus a pay rise. Also, I have some friends here who are staying around next year. My Polish is still pretty shit so if I stay another year I will take more classes and it will get a lot better.



So - what should I do? Stay or go somewhere new? Perhaps to the moon? Any words of advice, abuse or inspiration welcome.

[spiral78]

Wow. Honestly, in this economy if you've got a good offer, it's gold. Not that there aren't jobs around, but the better positions really start to happen in your second year somewhere. Anywhere you move on to, you'll be starting over in terms of building a local rep and contacts...

We advertised for a freelance teacher or two (no contracts, no benefits) and have had a scary number of applications, from all ends of the spectrum in terms of quals and experience.

Personally, I'd stay put if you've got a reasonable offer. You'll thaw out in Krakow over the next few months and forget all about that long, cold winter:)

[Mike_2007]

Hey there,

About where to earn good money: ask yourself how, not where. I'm in Romania, which most people will tell you can't provide much more than subsistance-level living, yet I manage to live well and save around 6000 Euro a year on average, with 2-3 foreign holidays (plus a couple in-country ones too).

I'd stay where you are in Poland, accept the new job offer, think about your expenses and how you can reduce them and then you might have some savings for better things (or for repaying student loans, I'm guessing).

I didn't save much during my first couple of years here. Now I have the local contacts and reputation I can charge better rates and pick and choose the jobs I do. Typically I would say the first year or two in a new country mostly involves costs and losses, break even in the third, and after that if you're not getting into the black then you're probably doing something wrong.

You could move to another country with the promise of a higher salary, but you'd probably find everything else costs a lot more too. I know lots of nurses here who drool over salaries of 1500 Euro for nursing positions in London, triple what they earn here, but you know as well as I do how well you would (not) live on that sum in London!

If you are sick of Poland, maybe you should look elsewhere, but make sure you really are sick of it, not just sick of living abroad (sometimes it's easy to blame the country when in fact it's your own lack of ability to settle into a new lifestyle - I think most of us have been there at some stage). Personally, I'd recommend sticking it out another year to see how things improve financially and with your itchy feet.

All the best,
Mike

[Nmarie]

Yes, if you don't have a concrete plan for elsewhere, my advice would also be to stay.

Accept the great job offer, save some money if possible, and take time to work out your next move.

[briana74]

Hi there!
From my point of view, it all boils down to two questions.
A bit itchy-footed? Or verrrrrry itchy- footed?
If you can bare staying, than take the offer, it's not a bad one.
If not, the bestest offer is just not enough.
All the best.

[Van Gogh]

Katers, we all get itchy feet in EFL. Don't burn your bridges. If you can take some time off over the summer travel to where you may want to work next, see if the grass is greener. Take a look around and then stick at your good job for another year, save some cash and make your move. Good Luck.