Job Discussion Forums

[frilly_lilly]

I am a Canadian who just arrived to a town called Glogow (about 2 hours away from Wroclaw), and the nightlife is bad!! There's only a few pubs in town, and they either shut down during the week or nobody goes. I am only one of two native speakers (it's a really small school) and I think there's only one or two other English schools in town.

It is really hard to meet people because most of them don't speak English. Does anybody else live here or has lived here? Any advice on how to meet people?? Should I just pack up and head for a more populated city?

[spiral78]

I wish I had some constructive advice for you, but there's not much in the way of remedy for someone in your situation. Assuming that you are female, it's even tougher - a male teacher is probably a bit more likely to be invited to join the guys. Women in small towns tend to be highly family-oriented, I'm afraid...


However, I'm curious - were you recruited from abroad for this post?

I ask because I've given advice for some years about the Central/European region - don't try to seek for work from abroad, because the only schools recruiting teachers sight-unseen tend to be either dodgy or in very remote locations. The better jobs are only found from in-country, usually.

[frilly_lilly]

Yes, I'm a 22-year-old female. And yes I was hired while I was in Canada. I have no problems with the school or anything - my boss has been very supportive in means of picking me up from the airport, helping me settle into my apartment, etc.

She's even invited me out with to the pubs with the other teachers, but like I said there are only 5 other teachers here and 3 of them are Polish. The other native speaker is married and pregnant so she's not in the mood to go out clubbing with me. I find the girls in this town are standoffish and don't bother with you, the only guys that will talk to me are the ones that only want one thing....

[Will.]

Let us look at his fom a positive viewpoint.

You are in a minority, this make you a celebrity in a way, The other girls are jealous of your popularity and for this reason are stand-offish. Once you are integrated or feel yourself to be integrated into local life...as "the foreigner from Canada" You can move forward.

Local info will be in Polish and unless you are fluent in this already it will take time to learn so use the local paper and the school secretary to find out what is happening in your area and get involved.

Perhaps this means recognising that nightlife is no longer on your menu.

What else is there to do? Classical music recitals, opera, cycle tour in the local area...breach this with your students..."but I do not have a bicycle"...an invitation or an offer could be just around the corner. Don't feel you have to stay at home and mope. Get up early and go out for a walk...Poles are early risers a lot is happening out there while the latenighters are sleeping it off you may be able to swap language at the local college with students or lecturers (WSP) or even with the local high school teachers who cannot afford to pay language school fees.
Life does not always revolve around 'night' life

[dynow]

[Harry from NWE]

[nabakow30]

as has been mentioned above, it is difficult o give 'advice' not knowing what kind of person you are etc...

but it's certainly true that seeing out your contract is, if not essential, a very prudent choice. Whatever your interests are, you can always find a positive aspect of living in such a place.

my first year in Poland was also shaped by being in a small town. To say I didn't get bored sometimes would be a blatant lie, but I tried to make the most of it. Learning Polish was made easier, due to both the lack of distraction (!) and the increased need for it in order to make the most of what was available.

I saw out my contract (with visits to bigger centres meanwhile) and moved on to a larger city in the second year. Despite the fact that the first year was also buggered up by being involved with the dreaded and infamous Millenium Service, I have absolutely no regrets about staying in that small(ish) town.

Good Luck

[frilly_lilly]

aah thank you so much for the imput. I agree with all of you, it can be hard being in a small town but I'm going to try and make the most of it. Thanks

[maniak]

Hmm how to meet poles in poland... hmm.. hmm..

learn polish.

[scot47]

"Learn Polish" ? What a strange idea !

[Tumteetum]

Frilly, I was in a similar boat when I first hit Zabrze 3 years ago. I worked with 2 other teachers (one US, one UK) who were more or less teetotal

My breakthrough came when I started hanging about with one of my party animal students - this opened the floodgates and before I could say sto-lat, I was getting invites to BBQs, name day parties and other jollies. I really hated it for the first 2 months but in the end I'd say I had a better time there than here in Wroclaw - which isn't to say I don't like Wroclaw, I do, but I preferred Zabrze. So stick in and good luck, and if you ever fancy a trip to the big city lights of Wroclaw, PM me

[phantombedwetter]

[Tumteetum]

[Mateusz]

I was in the same position as you a few years ago. I'm guessing Poland's changed a bit since pre 2004. Maybe not as many people around? I found it really hard for the first few weeks. I felt quite homesick for a while. Crazy really since I had wanted to get away for years.

I think your Polish will come from using it. Is there a market or anything like that near you? Just buying your fruit and veg can be an adventure. Who knows, you might meet a really hot Polish guy who will help you out!

The food is amazing. It took me almost a year to lose the weight I put on. If you go to a cake shop, ask for szarlotka (apple cake) or cernik (cheesecake). Not forgetting kielbasa (sausages), pierogies (stuffed dumplings) and red borscht (beetroot soup)!

Is there a cinema in your town? I remember going to this really old style picture palace when I was there. Most English films just have subtitles in Poland.

What about a park? People will come out in the warmer weather. Sit in the park and read a book. Buy yourself an icecream (lody). You may catch the eye of someone really cute.

Are you into photography? Maybe you could record everyday life in your town. There's also so much history, sometimes dark, in Poland. Almost every street in the old parts of town will be of some significance.

What are your students like? I remember having some lovely adult groups. You and the other teacher could invite some round your apartment. Everyone has to bring a bottle of vodka!

How easy it to travel away from your town? What are the trains and buses like? I remember I could be in Warsaw in around an hour. It's good to live it up every now and again. Who knows who you will get talking to on the train!

I still miss it badly and wish I could go back..

[lall]