Work / Teaching English in Poland, no degree just certificate [41]

Hi. I live in poznan and the main english schools are here: Berlitz, Profillingua, etc
Here is a website to one. I have not had any interaction with them so dont know if they are any good but you might be able to hook in with them for a bit of info.

program-bell.edu.pl/english/index.htm

I am not a TEFL teacher but there are 3 main areas i think you can work in:
- School
- Private teaching
- In house - This can be in companies, colleges etc. There seems to be a bit of this type of business about.

Probably best if you can find a school for a few months while you get settled and then you can suss out what is available.

Good luck.

Work / Little Help finding out right to leave 1 yr contract. [15]

Its a tricky one....If it says that you should be getting 20 hours a week then that might be a way of getting out. Not a lawyer here so dont want to say it is for definite. Unless you give in your notice stating that you want the 20 hours per week. And if that is not forthcoming, you are leaving in a month. It all depends how much of a nasty individual the guy is....do you think he would come after you? Failing that, just be rude to all the students so he sacks you. Best of luck.

Life / Can an American in Poland renew American Passport here? [18]

Where can you get a 'proper' passport photo done in poalnd?

Work / Little Help finding out right to leave 1 yr contract. [15]

In relation to your contract, what does it say about termination of emplyment. Nornally there is some clause for both parties to get out so long as a certain amount of notice is given. I would be very surprised if you were 'forced' to work for the full year of the contract.

UK, Ireland / Irish Tax / Polish Tax [3]

I am an irish man, living in poland and working remotely for a company back in irealnd. i had to go through a lot of hassle with the HR area in the company and this is what was finally agreed:

- They would not let me invoice them through my self employment, which would have worked in my favour as it is a much smaller tax rate.

- So, i am an employee of the bank.
- They obtained a tax exemption for me so i dont have to pay tax in ireland. i dont intend to move back there any time soon.

- To make sure i am a good boy and pay my taxes here, it was put in my contracxt that i have to use a certain accountancy firm who remits my returns every month to polish tax and ZUS. And i make the payments.

Your situtation may be different to mine and the HR section in this company are very picky about the tax thing. But just thought i would let you know what my situation is.

I would suggest that you try set your self up as self employed and 'Invoice' your company back in ireland.
It also might be no harm to get some advice of an accountant as the whole 'tax residency' thing is a minefield.

Life / Cost of seeing a 'professor' in his private medical practice? [8]

Thanks GTD. Just wanted to make sure.

Life / Cost of seeing a 'professor' in his private medical practice? [8]

hi. Thanks for all the information. I am currently paying 150 zlt per visit. He does seem to know his stuff. But i have to go back to him quite regularly at the moment so i just wanted to make sure i wasnt being taken for a total ride.

Real Estate / Is it now the time to buy a flat in Warsaw? [10]

Thanks for the comments Poznan Kasia. I am living in poznan and interested in buy bur felt that a wait of a few months might not be a bad idea. Also, interested to hear you opinon about the developers. Could i ask you to give a brief navigation for the gratka. website?

Vincent

Life / 26th December are shops and restaurants in Poland open? [7]

From what i can remember from last year, they are defintely not open on the 26th. Not sure about the 27th.

News / POLAND'S CREDIT CRAZE [34]

Agree with you 'theblueenigma'. (..as an irish man)
I cannot get over the amout of banks that have openend here in poznan, 2 coffee shops have closed and in their place new banks have opened.

I have heard though that getting a mortgage is getting harder.

Life / Deadly Roads - "Are polish roads really THAT dangerous?" [139]

One of the key things i see every day is the speed of polish drives..even in housing estates on narrow roads, there is this need to put the pedal down without and concern for the consequences. I think we can blame bad roads etc until the cows come home but ultimately it is the responsibility of the person behind the wheel...and unfortunately, there are far too many who act irresponsilbe.

Life / Would anyone be interested in English Magazine For Expats in Poland? [9]

You can subscribe to NWE to get a weekly PDF sent to you with the weeks news. Also, if you are interested in more detailed political analysis, check out Poland Monthly.

News / CNN Special On Poland [16]

I am watching on CNN International in Poland. The first report does be on at about 08.10 CET and i think that would be 06.10 GMT at this time of the year.

Work / Working in a Polish Office [13]

hi Londonchick, i have worked in 'polish only' offices on and off for the past 6 years. Mafkekis points are very valid and would agree with them.

Ultimately, it will depend on the type of office you go into(like anywhere in the world). The mood of the place will be dependent on what the people there are like, if they like their jobs, if the boss is nice etc. When i first came here in 2002 i was in an open office in the HQ of a nmajor bank. Things were very formal - with the boss being referred to as Direckto and there was very clear lines of command. That was in the days when jobs were very scarce in poland and people were afraid to lose their jobs. Going to UK or Ireland was not yet an option. I was the only non polish speaker there. Initially, things were quite cold towards me(nature of my job did not help) but after a while and a lot of smiling, they did warm up to me.

I am now working in an IT area in the same bank and the mood in the office is very casual. it is a smaller office and i am again the only non speaking polish person here. however, most the the guys speak some english so there is conversation between us and i have been out drinking with them a few times. There would not be the 'spntaneous' going out for a pint like you might get in ireland or the UK. things are a bit more arranged in advanced.

My situation is slightly different in that i am working in the office but not involved with any of the work going on, so by the nature of things, i am not interacting on a work basis. I assume your situation will be different. One bit of advise i would give you is not to go in with the attitude that you know everything. That will get things off to a bad start.(like any office).

As you speak english, people will be interested in talking to you as they will want to practice their english. So that should be a bit of an ice breaker. When you start, and if the people have been nice to you, it is no harm to buy a few donuts just as a thanks for the assitance. And if you are really feeling adventurous, offer to bring them out for a drink as a thank you.

In relation to lunch, and this might just happen where i work, they tent to have a very short lunch at their desk. There is no going to the kitchen/canteen etc. This can be a bit frustrating as you can go mad if you are sitting at your desk without a bit of a break. As i said, maybe that is just in my office.

I think that is about it. Best of luck with it.

Life / Post stamps, I want to send a letter from Poland to European country [5]

I normally go to the counter in the post office, hand the letter in and say 'Priority Prosze'. it normally works. I reckon you letter should be about 3 - 5 pln.

Great website Bartolome. Thanks for posting .

Life / How important is it to have a car in Poland? [37]

Hi. I have been living here nearly 3 years and i have not had a car. 2 main things dictate this:
- The public transoport over here is very good - trams, busses trains. Very easy to get around. I live in poznan by the way.
- i am afraid to drive with the lunatics that drive over here. Speed is defintely king and i will be quite happy to stay off the road for as long as possible.

Negatvie side of not having a car is that it would be good to go exploring the country side. Though if you really wanted to do this, you could always rent a car.

Bestof luck with the move.

Real Estate / Looking for apartment in Poznan. What are their prices? [6]

Hi. i live in poznan. Here are a few addresses that may give you a steer in relation to rents for apartments.
remax-poland.com
ober-haus.com
cnmeritum.pl

not sure if you know any polish, but you are looking for sections on 'Wynajem" (or something like that....)
Good luck

Work / Are 2k€ enough to live in Warsaw? [11]

In relation to the Taxation, there are 3 rates - 19 %, 30 and 40%. I think the 30 % rate kicks in at around 19,000 pln (roughly 6000 Euro) Not sure about the 40 rate.

it is the ususal sliding scale. Added to that there is also the glory of ZUS and as a very rough guy, you can expect further 8 - 10 % being taken for this as well as the tax.

By the way, 2000 Euro should be plenty to live on.

Work / Software development, need Some Advice From People residing in Poland [3]

Hi Ranadeep,
You do not say where you are from so that may determine a few things.
If you are from the EU, you should be able to set up you own business while studying. It would probably be best to set yourself up as self employed for your free lance work. Getting set up does involve a bit of effort but it can be done.

Whether you can stay after your study will depend on where you are from. From EU, there is not a problem. From outside EU, you should contact your local embassy to see what the story is.

Best of luck
V

News / Engineers build train tunnel in Warsaw too small for trains... [18]

Actualy with the dublin tunnel, i think the decision to ban super trucks was taken when they discovered the tunnel was too small.
Though, i know it took an age to build and loadsa cash, but it is quite impressive now that it is finished.

Life / Lodz - Fitout - Need to buy kitchen and bathroom units and appliances. [8]

I may have my geography wrong but i think warsaw might be nearer than Poznan. (I am sure someone will correct me) By the way, i see ikea have a new catalogue out so maybe you should try get hold of it to see what is on offer.

Sorry if you are aware of this(as i am sure you are) but there is ahuge Manufactura centre in Lodz and i am sure you could pick up a lot of what you need there. Appliances you can get at any of the electrical stores around the place.

Life / Lodz - Fitout - Need to buy kitchen and bathroom units and appliances. [8]

Would agree with Dxx..good, reasonably priced stuff in IKEA, Kitchen bathrooms etc. Also, consider Castorama/Leroy Merlin as they are the equibialent of B & Q over here and also sell things like kitchens. You can really get good choice of Bathrrom stuff i.e. baths, showers etc.

If you were buying something off the shelf and taking it with you, i would say that not speaking polish is not a problem.
However, you will probably need to discuss measurements, finishes, delivery etc, when you go shopping so i would recommend you bring someone who can speak polish. Not sure of your contacts but a english speaking student might appreciate a few bob for their services.

Life / advice on mafia??? and business in Poland? [10]

IrishMaverick,
i am not sure what the situation is but i suggest you have small room in the restaurant where you can bring anyone who is looking for protection money. Have the room decorated in a few 'select' irisih nationalist decorations and point out to anyone that you have friends in places that will quite happily look after you should anyone give you hassle.

One suspicion that i have had is that a lot of the security firms might be disguised protection gangs, but this is based on absolutely nothing apart from mere suspicions.

Life / Stupid question i know - is post delivered in Poland on a Saturday? [17]

How long something takes to get to poland can be a bit hit and miss. i have had stuffsent from ireland that has taken just a weekend to get here i.e. posted friday and arrived on monday, a few days to get here and weeks to get here.

a
A lot can depend on the way you sent it i.e. normal mail, surface mail, air mail, express etc.
Hope your post gets there eventually.

Real Estate / Agent / Management charges in Warsaw, Poland [6]

In relation to ongoing management of apartments, i hear that the rates are generally from about 7 % to 10 %. And you will probably need to add the VAT on top of that. This charge can be written off against your tax liability.

Travel / What are nightclubs like in Warsaw...? [33]

Try out the area around bars called Paparazzi, Cinamon and Platinium. There are a few bars/clubs up there that might suit you.

Work / Teaching resources for English language teachers in Poland [22]

I am not an english teacher but know of this website tefl.com. They have a few jobs on it for poland. Never used it so unable to to give it a good or bad report. Good luck.

Real Estate / mortgages advice - buying an apartment in Warsaw [15]

hi. I have living in poland and have bought an apartment with a bank mortgage, and did not need any of those cards. My passport was sufficient for everything.