Job Discussion Forums

[stonethecrow]

Maybe it's because I have been out of Poland for a few months but a job offer I received recently seems extortionate.

24 hours (45 mins each) to adults/teens in a language school in a small town.
2100zl per month after tax, with a shared apartment too, bills only

So, do you think it's worth taking it? Will I have any money to do anything other than eat and occasionally travel to a nearby city??

[ecocks]

There's a better one on the TEFL board right now. Think it was 2350 net for 24 X 45 and accommodation in Tarnobrzeg plus travel allowance of 400.

Shared accommodations is a personal decision. I know too many bad situations to ever get into one of those again unless things are dire.

[Master Shake]

[stonethecrow]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeh, it doesn't seem a good hourly wage. Would you say living with other teachers is an advantage or not?

I have still got some schools in Krakow, including a Callan method school, who are interested but don't provide accommodation. Considering my lack of experience (one decent UK summer camp and a few private lessons) is there much room for me to negotiate?

[dragonpiwo]

Yeah don't go near this. On a language school wage you'll experience the 'Polish reality' but without the family support.

You'll earn the princely sum of 70Zl a day.

If you had to live on that, you'd have to avoid taxis, restaurants and nipping for coffees when you feel like it. Forget buying clothes like winter jackets and shoes. Don't even dream of buying a bottle of wine in a restaurant or travelling. Then there's dating....I don't care what anyone says on this board, but Polish girls think guys who go Dutch are cheapskates.....at least that's what my dozens of Polish female friends have told me over many years.

If you had to 'survive' you could but your life would be one of gawking at the net, going for walks, streaming TV, going for a beer in the 5Zl bar and eating parowkas.

The ultimate skinflint 'Survivorman' lifestyle might look like this-

Breakfast: Parowkas and bread=2-3Zl
Lunch: Milk bar soup and bread=3ZL
Dinner: Kebab w bulce=11...or go cheap with a Gorace Kubek.
Bottle of water 1.5L=1.5Zl

Not much fun. Add fun and it looks like this-

Cinema=25Zl (without drink/popcorn etc 50 with)
JD and coke=10-15Zl
Trip to Berlin from Poznan=190Zl each way (I took this train 3 weeks ago)
Bowling=About 60Zl for the lane for 1 hour ( I go with my son often)
A main course in a sh*t restaurant=20Zl ( I don't eat in them) plus beer 6-8Zl

[Master Shake]

[dragonpiwo]

Personally, I wouldn't share. On occasions in the past, I've done it and here is a list of what I got;

1-A religious nut. (9 months)
2-A drink and drug addled guy into Polish rap (4 weeks)
3-A manic depressive. (4 months)
4-A tight arse. (2 months)
5-A nice guy from Yorkshire, who NEVER left the flat. (9months)
6-A demanding, neurotic (Polish ex-wife (Far too long)

All but numbers 2 and 6 were provided through schools and were part of the contract.

1 and 5 were very early on in my career. 2 was me renting a room for the summer and 3 was a short contract I did during my war evacuation. Number 4 wasn't so bad as I also had another place to live and didn't see him much.

If you live with another teacher, you'll hang with other teachers probably......and that is never good.

[delphian-domine]

[dragonpiwo]

Now you're arguing about a train price I paid 3 weeks ago Delph. I have the receipt...it's on my desk!

Yes, I do go to Multikino...it's where you see the latest films.

And bowling involves food and drinks on top...so go figure...oh and getting there and back.

Burger and chips in Whiskey in the Jar=33Zl and in Browaria 29Zl.

[ecocks]

Yes, I am double-posting for the reality checks of living in Poland:

Some Realities:

Roundtrip train ticket from Gdansk to Malbork (great place, loved the town and the Castle) was 40 zl. purchased 4 days in advance.

Two nights in a fantastic hotel was 270zl (my half). Breakfast was included (scrambled eggs, sausages & bekon served hot with toast, butter, cold-cuts & 6 types of cheeses, bottomless tea and coffee, yogurt, cereal, etc. and 24-hour filter-brewed coffee & tea. The room was better than any I have stayed excepting for the 5-star Bristol in Warsaw.

Admission to the Castle ran 40zl and was 5 hours of history, climbing, exhibits and culture.

Dinner right on the riverbank (grilled kolbasa, kraut, fried potatoes and beer) was 32 zl because I split an order of ribs with a friend after eating the grilled kolbasa and the only s--- involved was from the horses used during the faux knights jousting exhibition which we watched while eating.

Had my favorite pierogi ruskie at dinner one evening, my friend had raki (crayfish) for an appetizer and sliced pork in some sort of red mushroom sauce. We also had raviloi appetitzers, two beers, split a milk shake (disappointing) and two after-dinner coffees, all of which ran to 128 zl. I am certain I would have noticed if there had been any s--- nearby.

Lunch on Sunday (late) was again grilled kolbasa (different place, but equally well-done!) with beers, followed by ice cream chasers. Cost was 19 zl including the ice cream. Again, I am pretty sure we would have noticed if there was any s--- around.

Total costs for me were 465 zl if I added correctly.

I also bought a good pair of sneakers for 99zl at a shoe store, a box of 10 bandaids, some Lipton green tea, three disposable razors and.....2 AA batteries for my camera - that came to 22 zl.

All in all, a fantastic, long weekend, mini-vacation.

Oh wait, I bought an Egg McMuffin, hash browns and coffee at the train station which I ate on the train. That was another 17 zl I think.

Life amongst the normal folk...........

[delphian-domine]

[ecocks]

Burger and beer at Original Burger in Gdansk = 20 zl. Great burger.

Another option is to go to Billy's where it comes with fries for 15.90 but you buy the beer of your choice for 6-9. Again, a good burger.

[delphian-domine]

Is Original Burger the one on the main street there?

If so, I tried to go there three times - every time, the place was packed!

[ecocks]

That's it. I also like this new Billy's location. Their steaks aren't so great but they try, then there's ribs, burgers and they service corn on the cob, beans and a halfway decent coleslaw at a not too extravagant price.

OB will give you frequent buyer card good for 10% from normal prices if you tell them you live here.

[Master Shake]