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Posts by andysterdam  

Joined: 12 Mar 2008 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: -
Threads: Total: 3 / In This Archive: 2
Posts: Total: 45 / In This Archive: 22
Speaks Polish?: No

Displayed posts: 24
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andysterdam   
14 Mar 2008
Work / University professor salary in Poland? [16]

Is it common for universities when hiring a foreign professor to offer the spouse a job too? I have been offered a position but my wife would need some kind of work as well. The position offers around 5600 zl per mth. (gross).
andysterdam   
14 Mar 2008
Work / University professor salary in Poland? [16]

I've never heard of it being a customory activity for a Polish university. I mean, to find employment for the academic staff's spouses. Nope.

Thanks, KasiaG. Here in Canada it's common for universities to offer what's called "spousal hire" as well, usually in some capacity within the university. I think I'll still try to pitch that to the institution that's offering me the job and see what happens. I just think it would be hard to convince my wife to go without a job; the main problem of course is that she doesn't speak a work of Polish.
andysterdam   
14 Mar 2008
Work / University professor salary in Poland? [16]

Professors make twice that amount by being involved in many projects. They also receive a lot of money working as advisers for companies, which can again double their earnings.

I wonder how hard (or otherwise) it would be for a Professor of English to land a side job in some advisory or consulting capacity for a company.
andysterdam   
14 Mar 2008
Life / Who has moved to Poland in the last year? Swap stories. [115]

I started studying Polish on my own while still in the US

Which method did you use to study Polish in the US? Did you enroll in a course or buy a home study guide? Was it hard to pick up basic Polish? I'm Canadian (still in Canada, quickly contemplating moving to Poland) so I think I'd be more or less in the same boat...
andysterdam   
14 Mar 2008
Work / For all English teachers in Poland (who work for only $1000 a month) [102]

I admit, there are many disadvantages but life expierence is the largest benefit and if that delays my 401K or big screen.... so be it. I will NEVER forget my time here. Ever.

That's what I'm counting on too in my decision to (probably) move there soon.
andysterdam   
15 Mar 2008
Life / Warsaw - most boring capital in Europe, after Brussels - comments? [78]

Euro-travellers had voted Warsaw one of the most boring capitals in Europe.

I hope that's not the case in all aspects, especially nightlife. I'm hoping to have some good times there in the near future. "Boring" is a fairly subjective thing, after all. I heard that if you're into live jazz, Warsaw is a pretty exciting place.
andysterdam   
18 Mar 2008
Life / Warsaw - most boring capital in Europe, after Brussels - comments? [78]

Similarly, I've been to places like Venice and Prague, where you feel like you are walking around with "tourist # 4646353252" stamped on your forehead. Give me a night out in Warsaw any day...

I hear you loud & clear there. Though I've never been to Warsaw, I've often felt like a tourist-drone in Venice, Rome, London, Paris, etc.
andysterdam   
19 Mar 2008
Life / Who has moved to Poland in the last year? Swap stories. [115]

My wife could not take it and we are now back in the USA.

Why, exactly, did your wife get fed up with Poland? I ask because I'm having a hard time convincing my wife to MOVE there from Canada.
andysterdam   
30 Mar 2008
Food / Cost of Nescafe coffee in Poland. [49]

I'll be moving to Poland soon, but having never been there I was wondering if whole, toasted coffee beans are easily available. I'm a bit of a coffee 'purist' and I like to grind my coffee before brewing it to preserve taste, texture, etc. (I also only drink it black, but that's beside the point).

Also, should I bring my grinder or is such a device readily available in Poland?
andysterdam   
30 Mar 2008
Food / Cost of Nescafe coffee in Poland. [49]

I take it the 'Starbucks Syndrome' hasn't yet gripped Poland; just as well too. Maybe I'll find a supplier in Warsaw(?). Thanks, miranda! :)
andysterdam   
31 Mar 2008
Food / Cost of Nescafe coffee in Poland. [49]

go to the site and check out the fresh coffee beans

I hang my head in shame, as I don't roast my coffee beans... Would like to though, which would involve buying an all-in-one coffee machine. Tx for the link; looks awesome! I've never seen anything THAT detailed, down to the pics of the places. Will definitely try it out.
andysterdam   
31 Mar 2008
Travel / Pets on a plane to Poland? [16]

Has anyone here transported pets by plane from elsewhere in the world to Poland? As some of you may know by now, my wife and I will likely move to £omża in the near future, and we're wondering how we'll bring our two cats with us. We're thinking of taking LOT, since the airline has a non-stop from Toronto to Warsaw.

If you have traveled with your pet with LOT or any other airline, did you carry it in the cabin with you or did it have to travel separately in the cargo compartment? How did you cope with your pet's distress (if any)? Did you pet need to relieve itself at any point, and if so, what happened? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
andysterdam   
1 Apr 2008
Travel / Pets on a plane to Poland? [16]

It's almost certain that your cats will have to go in the luggage hold in approved pet carriers.

That's why I was afraid of too. One of my cats gets 'panic attacks' whenever she goes into the car for moving; I can't imagine how she'd cope with the jet engines blaring for 8 1/2 hours straight (not to mention cabin pressure changes, etc.).

How 'famous' does the pet have to be, I wonder? If I could dress our cats in a drag-doggy suit and pretend we're taking them for Paris Hilton's 'Wild in Warsaw' video party I'd do it...
andysterdam   
2 Apr 2008
Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]

If my mom made the following for breakfast, I would probably throw up.

I had a bout of arrhythmia just from looking at this pic...
andysterdam   
3 Apr 2008
Life / A Brit living in Poland (update) [14]

If we weren't going to move to Poland, I'm not sure where we would move to .... possibly Canada ....

As long as you and your family can put up with Canadian winters, you should be fine. We have a progressive and peaceful little nation on this side of the Atlantic. Where would you settle?
andysterdam   
9 Apr 2008
Work / How do foreigners working in Poland send money home? [5]

I'm interested in hearing of anyone who exchanges zlotys into dollars, pounds, etc. and/or wires money home (or some other means). Western Union (or any other such outfit) operates in Poland , so sow much do you pay for the transaction fees? More specifically, if any one converts zlotys into Canadian dollars to wire the money home, how do you go about the whole process? Or would you wire zlotys and have someone in your home country do the conversion into dollars there? Or, finally, do you let Western Union take care of the whole conversion process? Does anyone feel cheated by the whole process?

I ask because I'll still be paying bills in Canada with the zlotys I'll earn in Poland, but I don't want to lose rivers of cash to unscrupulous money transfer services.
andysterdam   
9 Apr 2008
Work / How do foreigners working in Poland send money home? [5]

Thanks, zoogle--that's VERY helpful!

I've used XE for conversion rate quotes, but I had no idea they offered money transfer services. It's too bad that Poland is not a partner country for online transactions, but like you suggest, 1% is still much less than what the banks charge.
andysterdam   
9 Apr 2008
Work / How do foreigners working in Poland send money home? [5]

Check around your town and see what banks are available.

Cool, I'll do that. I looked online and haven't seen any world banks in £omża, but I hope that at least one of the banks in a town of 60,000 should handle foreign transfers. If not, maybe I could have an account in Warsaw at Citibank.

I should say of course that I still haven't moved to Poland (still negotiating a contract).
andysterdam   
9 Apr 2008
Life / How much is a bag of chips in Poland? [28]

How much is a bag of chips in Poland?

Click here for prices of stuff, including the now famous bag of chips [Cost of living in Poland]
andysterdam   
10 Apr 2008
Study / Study Polish Full Time [12]

Can anyone recommend a good CD/DVD home study program?

Check out this free program hosted by the University of Pittsburgh:
polish.slavic.pitt.edu

Of course, that's great to get you started, but I'm looking for a hard core do-it-yourself.