Job Discussion Forums

frilly_lilly · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Poland

Hello, I'm a 22-year-old female Canadian and I live in a town not far from Wroclaw. I'm looking for people to hang out with, ideally around my age (in their 20's) I can't speak Polish yet but it doesn't matter what nationality you are, I just hope to meet people my age to hang out with as I'm new to Poland and don't know a lot of people. I'm a fun person and pretty easygoing.

My town is Glogow, which is also near Zielona Gora, Leszno, Legnica, Lubin....etc.

If you live in or near Wroclaw send me a message! I hope to hear from you.

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

If you're ever in Warsaw, send me a message, I'll certainly give you my entirely unreliable thoughts about the Warsaw scene over a beer or two.

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

Lilly, your posts are starting to bug me out a little. Either make some friends or don't, but you're not going to find them on the internet. Try a pub.

frilly_lilly · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Poland

Excuse me "redsoxfan" but if you don't have anything nice to contribute then don't say anything. Do you think it's wise for a girl to go drink at a pub alone?

By the way the internet IS working for me, I've found a few people and met up with them.

Thank you Harry I will keep you in mind if I ever go back to Warsaw.

maniak · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 194

steviok85 · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 87

Hi
Redsoxfan.
You have annoyed me (bugged me out in your words) by writing just that- 'bug me out'. Maybe I am out of touch with modern day drivel talk.
Good luck FrillyLilly.

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Lilly, I feel for you, because I know what it's like in small towns. It may be that the Polish women in your little town are more focused on family and home life (even the young ones in your age range) and not so interested in partying with the Canadian. They are likely slow to make new friends because their lives are pretty full already.

Yeah, I think it's kind of weird for a single girl to go to a pub and try to strike up a conversation, especially in a small town where you'll stand out like a sore thumb.

Basically, I think you've done what you can to find some expat company. Otherwise, you probably have to wait until your contract's up and you can relocate yourself to a city where there's more happening. When IS your contract up? Should be soon now, right? Have you got plans to relocate?

frilly_lilly · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Poland

Hi Spiral,

My contract is until June 2009. I can't see myself staying here that long though. I'm going to spend a total of 6 months here (stay until the fall) then either look for a job in a bigger city or go home. I know my boss won't be happy if I leave early but I've given this place enough time and I'm not happy here. You're right, it is strange for a single girl to go to the bars alone and try striking up a conversation and hoping the person I'm talking to speaks English. I've made a couple friends online and had a great time but unfortunately they were only here short term went home recently. Do you think six months here is long enough? Will it be impossible to find another teaching job if I don't finish my contract here?

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

June 2009?!!!

Wow. That's awful. You signed for how long, 16 months or something?

Regarding the rinky dink little town you're in, there is nothing to do there.

Secondly, going to bars.......your town has how many people? What are the chances of someone speaking english well enough to even be worth your while.

The way I see it, work the week away, and then find some people in Wroclaw to hang out with. You'll be hopping the train every weekend, but it's something to do with yourself.

Out of curiosity, I can't help but wonder what you expected to have in this little town........in POLAND? You signed a very long contract in a tiny little town with no friends, you can't speak Polish.....what did you expect to entertain yourself there with? Unless you're an avid writer/reader/basket weaver, or maybe a buddhist......what does your town NOT have that you expected it TO have? I mean.........what were some of the surprises? It just seems to me that the things you are struggling with were things that could have easily been predicted........... Question

frilly_lilly · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Poland

Yeah it was a 15 month contract. I haven't signed anything yet but my boss is going through the process of getting me a permanent stay card (I'm also an EU citizen) Honestly I don't know what I was thinking when I came here. I was offered the job in Glogow while I was in Canada and I guess I was just excited to have my first teaching job, and to be coming to Europe for the first time. The town has almost 80,000. I thought people in small towns like this would actually be friendly. I didn't realize how different the culture was here and I didn't know much about Polish people. I also thought more people (especially young) would speak English but I'm surprised there are still a lot that don't.

As for weekends I've been coming to Wroclaw a lot. I met an American so I spent a few weekends with her until she went back to the US. I had some "interesting" experiences with PKP....

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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Yes, lilly, really you'll be fine. It's not going to be a huge blot on your record. I'd just be up front with the boss, if I were you. Good luck!

jferry21 · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

So Frilly Lilly, get outta that little sleepy town and take the chance on this dynamic city. You won't regret it. Do it.

I moved to Wroclaw 6 weeks ago (mid-May, not a good time to arrive) and luckily managed to find some work at two private schools (business English), along with a few private lessions on the side. I understand that many private school teachers' work hours typically taper off during the months of July and August, unless you are a veteran and have paid your dues. For me, being a newbie and little shit, I jumped at the chance to teach a Italian businessman at 7:30am, twice a week, in a town called Strzelin, 40 kilometers away (both the pay & student are great).

There are plenty of private language schools and university students in Wroclaw, and the opportunity to find private lessons remains fairly decent during the summer, so long as you post adverts on the right Polish websites. Since you already have prior teaching experience, you shouldn't have any major problems finding some work. Private lessons are your best bet during July/August, unless you (or a friend) have contacts at certain language schools. September should be no problem for finding work. And best of all, there is sooo much good, old fashion FUN happening these days in Wroclaw. I wish you all the best.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

Dear Frilly Lilly,

Get yourself to a big city. Wroclaw and Poznan are close.

That said remember this: Expat men are more interested in Polish women. Polish men are skinflints. Expat social life, especially in Poland, revolves around drinking.

Whatever possessed you to sign up for soooo long in such a place?

Get a 20 hour contract witha school/uni and do about 10 privates a week on top of that and you should be ok. If you can visit a university English Dept go for it as they'll provide you with a room in a student hall; then you'll never be lonely.

My first teaching job in the Czech Republic in 95 was like your sit...only thing that made it ok was my gorgeous Czech girlfriend, who had a Scandinavian attitude towards life...always good when you're stuck up a mountain with nothing to do.