Job Discussion Forums

[nabakow30]

hello all... I'm in my second year (if you can call the first 'thank you Millenium service' experience a year) in Poland and am considering options for next year..... I love the place-no doubt about that- but seem to have reached a point where the terms on which I'd stay would need to be different. That is, obviously the initial buzz, clutlural phenomena etc are no longer the same in terms of impact etc....Most of those I know who have been here longer (namely 4,5,6 years or whatever) have a specific reason for continuing, in most cases a relationship...What are peoples' thoughts on how the experience of Poland changes if you stick around for a longer period of time than the average 1-2 years? If you recommend it do you think it better to stay in the same place etc (was in Torun last year and trojmiasto this....)
Sorry if my penchant for......irritates anyone....thanks in advance peeps

[biffinbridge]

When I first left Poland in 99 after several years,I left because got tired of being messed around by schools.I fell out with the new D.O.S. at the uni,then JDJ didn't pay me what was written on the contract ,then I got robbed by the summer camp I did.
Since 99 it seems that little has changed in Poznan.Most of my friends are constanly having to plead for their salaries,companies break your 'contract' willy nilly and people are generally getting messed around.
However,there other things that have changed;I'm older for starters,Poland is much pricier for seconds and for thirds,I've come to realise that the Poles are not actually the warmest or most honest people I've come across...but then again I've been assured that this is a very 'Poznan' phenomenon.
I come back again and again because I have a son here.He makes all of the above meaningless.

[Khrystene]

[joshsweigart]

I am in a similar situation, although I've been here for a couple years longer. I stay mainly because the lifestyle is good--the girls are hot, the beer is good and where else can you live like a king and work less than eight hours a day? The longer I stay the more difficult it is to leave as I feel less and less connected with my home country. If you're going to leave the sooner the better is probably best.

[Bender Donthat]

Hey,

I spent a few years teaching in Krakow, and I know the exact feeling you are going through. I've since returned to the states and am back in the corporate grind - making more money in several months than I did several years in Poland. Yet, money isn't a panacea and I often long for lazy walks in Planty...

That said, I'm planning on milking the system here for as long as I can, save a lot of $$$, invest in income-producing multi-unit property, and return to Poland within ten years or so to live like a king. As much as I loved the EFL lifestyle, I had a hard time accepting that the profession is morally banrkupt, lacking in respect and professionalism, and without serious professional future prospects. Believe me, it will NOT look good on your resume should you wish to change career tracks!

When I return to Poland, it will not be as an EFL teacher for sure.... I'm sure some of you can relate to the frustration the title bears!

My advice - enjoy the time you had and move on, either professionally or geographically.

[Alex Shulgin]

[Khrystene]

[joshsweigart]

As far as the lacking future prospects and moral standards...

It may be difficult to find work with employers who care about their students or employees (financially or developmentally), once you do however, I have say that it is a rewarding profession.

SIT also has many programs which only accept experienced and qualified ESL teachers to teach and develop curriculum at public and private schools around the world, I wouldn't say that it is totally without future prospects.

[afowles]

This is my third year and I'm planning on leaving at the end of this year. I came for a relationship and that's over now, so I'm off.

That being said, I just spent a week in Krakow and I was loathe to leave it. It's a nice city.

[nabakow30]

re: corruptness, bankruptcy..... such a view is as naive as the idealsim which probably led to the disillusionment...

oh well.

ale trudno.

[Tumteetum]

Im in a similar situation myself (perhaps we should start a group) in that I've been here a year and am considering whether to stay or leave. I really enjoyed my first stint in Poland last year and returned in September but things didnt work out with my school (OXFORD HOUSE in Wroclaw ) and I decided to start looking at other options. Since the turn of the year though I've started having a really good time again and I'm now in 2 minds whether to leave or not. I don't have a big reason to stay (other than friends and just living a different life than if I would be back home) and in a way having no ties can make you almost too free. For me its a choice between fun, friends and what you know or the buzz of something new and it really comes down to whats more important to you.

[gregoryfromcali]