Job Discussion Forums

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

Wow!!! A lot of people thinking about moving back to old Polska after dreams of a better life in the West didn't pan out. The money does seem to generally be moving toward the East. Maybe it's best to jump ship (again) while the jumping is good.

blaz88 · Joined: 09 Nov 2010 Posts: 22

I remember complaining about rising costs in Wroclaw just last spring when I was in move back to Canada mode. Yes, prices did increase but they increased in Canada as well. I was comparing the 2004 prices of where I used to live in Canada to Wroclaw prices 2011. Big shock when I arrived back. It also makes a difference in Poland when you do have 2 incomes for the house, wife worked for an international company. So with her salary, my ESL contracts with companies ( no longer worked with a school) and the football coaching salary we fluctuated between 8-10 thousand zloty per month. No car, no kids, just renting, enjoying the city and occasional weekend trips, picnics in the beautiful parks a stone throw away from our flat with wine and beer. This life is not available in Canada. Hell, back here where I am now, crime is up, traffic cams are everywhere looking to take a quick 300 dollars from your pocket and the job perspective for myself is depressing. People tell me to get in with an entry level position and suck it up for a few years. I think that why should I suck it up for a few years when I want to live a quality life now. Yes retirement issues are frightening in Poland but health care was Ok for us with the private insurance we had from my wife's career.

Baileys1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

Hi Stan,
I can relate to your situation quite well. Sorry to hear that things haven't panned out for you as you have planned. Sometimes when you think that you are making the best decision ; it later turns out that it isn't the best decision afterall. All I can say is that if you have finacial resources to do so, give Poland a second chance.

At this point, i am going to focus on finding a better job in Canada, but if things don't change; I may go back to Warsaw in the future.

I guess in your situation moving back to Poland from the UK is a bit easier as you are much closer to PL than I am.

When I look back, I should have done more research about Canada , before I decided to go back. I didn't anticipate many problems that hit me when I got back home. I am not going to beat myself up about this ;what's done is done, now I can only focus on the future. The best piece of advice I can give to anyone, before you make any big changes in your life, plan prepare and ask lots of questions;)

To be honest, I was really surprised to hear that many other Canadians have similar problems in Canada; for a while I thought it was just me.

When I started going for job interviews, I was told that I should apply for entry level jobs, but getting those jobs has become harder and harder as well.

Overseas teaching experience , doesn't count as any experience in Canada and I can't really understand why. To me work experience is work experience period; however employers in Vancouver don't see it that way. Does this apply to the rest of Canada? I would love to know

I can't make any impulsive decisions to go back to Warsaw- judging from my Canadian experience it wouldn't be a good idea. We will see how things develop in a few months.

Do teachers who are currently in Warsaw have any tips for those who wish to return to Poland to teach? I am sure others and myself included would love to get all the help they can;)

Baileys1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

Saprks,

You seemed surprised that things haven't turned out great in Canada and the UK for some of us. Suddenly, all the Canadians who taught in Poland love Polska again;)

But to be honest; it's quite sad when you lose faith in your own country.

Poland isn't perfect, and I thought I would never say this, but Canada has gotten worse. I prefer European way of life. I miss stupid things like food,comfortable lifestyle and riding trams;)

Seeing bears in a park just doesn't impress me anymore - lol

sparks · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 632

Bailey's. I'm in the same boat but in America. I'd say that it's fairly safe to say that it isn't just Vancouver but most/all of Canada and America. I agree that with no experience in your home country for a good number of years makes the job hunt nearly impossible. It seems that I'm lower on the pile than actual immigrants who have at least some experience working here.

blaz88 · Joined: 09 Nov 2010 Posts: 22

I have to say I agree that being in Poland for the last 6 years may have taken me out of the job market here in Canada. Its coming on 5 months here for me now and I make less money per hour than I was billing out in Poland. I am making less cash now than I was back in 2000 working my old career. When I arrived to Canada back in the summer I went through a career transition program, worked on rebuilding my CV and searching the hiden job market. I have had 2 interviews since I've been back. Pretty depressing. Was looking in the Immigrant settlement programs as Canada is expecting tons of new arrivals. In the interview they straight out told me that the salary is terrible. its like 15 dollars per hour. Slap in the face chump change. I am about ready to jump ship back to Wroclaw and pick up where I left off as I am still in touch with my old clients.

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

blaz88 wrote:

steviok85 · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 87

Dear Dynow

It is a fact that I can live better in Poland than in the UK. I know my way round this country and think I can get what I want. I returned home for unselfish reasons not related to working conditions.

I have been reading your ramblings for many a month. I deem that you still hold a candle for the country despite your vociferous negativity on this forum.

All the best

Stan

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

steviok85 wrote:

Pooledogg · Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England

As far as I can tell a zl a min is not minimum pay. I recently asked for more than this at a very reputable school after being offered a zl min gross and was turned down.

Master Shake · Joined: 03 Nov 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: Colorado, USA

Pooledogg · Joined: 04 Aug 2010 Posts: 20 Location: England

I earn about 1zl a min but am umowa o dzielo so no health etc. am looking into going S.E. but have heard if you register your company in England it is a better deal.

Baileys1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

Hi Everyone,
It seemed that I started an interesting discussion with my question. I was not aware that a lot of people would find it difficult to get on their feet when they get back home. It doesn't really matter if it's Canada or Uk, it is hard to be disappointed in your own country. I have a part time job in teaching in Canada pays 24 dollars per hour . I get sick pay no benefits as the job is part time. The problem is that I can't make my bus connections when I return home from work at night so I asked my dad to move in with me so that he can pick me up from the subway station.

If my dad was not living with me , I would have to quit my job as I would not be able to get home from work at night. While it may seem pathetic that I share some private info on this forum with you guys I just wanted to say that people have different reasons for wanting to come back to Poland. For me, transportation is a big problem in Canada as it is a lot worse than in Warsaw. I am not saying that Poland is ideal. It is kind of nice to be sick and get paid for it -something that never happened to me while I worked in Warsaw. I am still thinking of going back to Poland or UK and my only reason for that would be that I love Europen way of life and transportation. Other people may have different reasons. People have different problems in Warsaw , Canada or Uk, but they just have to pick a place that works for them.

No place is perfect, but as long as it works for you great. I am learning Polish becasue as some people on this fourm, I may go back to Poland again

I don't know how the rest of Canada is doing, but Vanouver is very expensive and to have a nice and independant lifestyle , I would need to earn 2900 a month net if i wanted to be on my own no roommates etc and have no issues with transportation.
If I find a good job like that , I will stay in Van if not , I will be thinking of other options.

I decided that If i go back to Poland , I would need to open up my own business to get zus in what ways is it better to open up your own business in the uk than Poland? I wish i had that option from Canada.

Anyway, interested in hearing back from you. How can I send private messege to people on this fourm?

Thanks for listening and for your advice

Good luck to everyone . Lets hope this year is better for all of us

Cheers

Baileys1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

Baileys1 · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 8 Location: Canada

To Stan, Blaz 88 and Sparks

I wish you all best of luck. I agree with you blaz 88 that the prospect of retiring in Poland is a bit scary, but the public health care in Poland is the same as in Canada. I had to wait a year to see a specialist. I was quite impressed with the private healthcare in Poland. Too bad we dont have a an option for priavate health care in Canada. We pay for our service , but we do get a crappy one.

Stan what part of UK are you from? Just curious. Always fancied living in the Uk for some reason.

Sparks is life in Canada treating you better these days? Very Happy