Job Discussion Forums

Johnny_C_NYC · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: New York City

Ok, so I've been accepted to the IH CELTA program in Wroclaw Starting Sept. 1st and was wondering if any forum members have any advice for setting up shop there. I checked out the online apartment scene but most of them seem geared toward catering to monthly business customers whose companies are footing the bill and are around e2000 and up per month. I can stay at the IH provided dorms for around $450 per month, but you share a common room and a bathroom which I'm not so sure about. I'm just wondering about a few basic things such as the following:

-internet service - how much and how easy to get?
-apartments - avg rent and month-by-month availability
-gyms - are there any that aren't circa-1970s style?
-groceries - am I going to be eating borsch and black break every day or will I have a Tesco or Super Stop & Shop?

Thanks for any help you all might be able to provide!

phantombedwetter · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

Why are you so opposed to taking a shared flat at the beginning?

Are you worried that your flatmate may find you 'Having your way' with next door's cat? or concerned about the possibility of a female flatmate discovering you are hung like a half eaten tic-tac?

On a serious note, IH offer reasonable flats at a reasonable price, so start there and find something better after a few months.
Usually, there is no deposit and you'll have all the amenities you need. I know of several people who have worked for other schools and still kept their IH flats on.

No hassle, good landlords and no rip-offs.

Johnny_C_NYC · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: New York City

maniak · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 194

dynow · Joined: 07 Nov 2006 Posts: 1080

internet service: i was able to get internet installed in my first apt. a week after I moved in. I was paying 95zl. per month for internet and a simple cable package. before that, you can use WiFi in the market square, there are hot spots all over, or various cafes and restaurants with wireless hookups.

apt. availability in Wroclaw is getting really scarce. cost of course varies entirely on where it is. you can be 10 minutes out of the center and pay 1000-1100 for something really small, or you can be in the center and pay 1800-2000.

there are gyms everywhere.

Poland has excellent food. There are outdoor markets all over for fruits and vegetables, the small deli's have outstanding hams/kielbasa/kabanos/breads, and if you're looking for a supermarket, there's a full size Carre Four about 5 kilometers from the city center, an easy tram ride. There's also a CF express right inside the Galeria Dominikanska mall, which is right in the center, just east of the rynek, you can buy just about all your everyday foods/kitchen stuff there.

Johnny_C_NYC · Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 21 Location: New York City

maniak · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 194

scottie1113 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 375 Location: Gdansk

I took the CELTA course last summer in Warsaw. Very intensive course, perhaps the most difficult thing I've ever done, and I felt at sea during the first two weeks. Lots of homework which took quite a lot of time to do. But I went out several times a week, sometimes until quite late, and on weekends saw a lot of Warsaw. I also got plenty of sleep, mainly because I always finished my assignmenets before I went out.

Don't kid yourself though. This course will take a lot out of you. Good luck.

renrats · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Posts: 3 Location: North Carolina

How much of the feedback comes from teachers, and how much comes from peers? I'm guessing it depends on the school, but I've been thinking about going to IH Wroclaw for my CELTA, so any info anyone has about this specific program will be helpful!

maniak · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 194

What would you like to know renrats?