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Posts by ArturS  

Joined: 2 Oct 2009 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: -
Threads: Total: 1 / In This Archive: 1
Posts: Total: 5 / In This Archive: 5 		From: Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Speaks Polish?: Fluently
Interests: metal, Thai boxing, music, history

Displayed posts: 6
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ArturS   
3 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

Yeah, my computers power supply has one, but my amp, laptop charger, etc. don't. I don't think it'll be a problem now that I've researched it more.

Can anyone answer any of my original questions other than the ones about internet and voltage?
ArturS   
2 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

ShawnH
There isn't. :P Although there were a few Poles in my high school...I definitely wouldn't call it strong by any means!
ArturS   
2 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

sledz
Probably if I went to the parliament near my university I would, but I'm too lazy. :P
ArturS   
2 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

Just two lol. Some questions I felt were related to living in Poland, some to working/studying. Sorry if I should have kept them all in one thread.

"are those 220-240V? may work in PL although you want to check the phases there too."
Here the voltage is 120. I read this with a quick search:

"Electrical sockets (outlets) in Canada usually supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 110-120 volts the socket is supplying. If your appliance is from another part of the world, and it is built only for 220-240 volt electricity, or a Japanese appliance built for 100 volts, then a travel plug adapter by itself won't be sufficient. The voltage will have to be changed from 110-120 volts at the socket, to whatever voltage your appliance requires. This is accomplished with a voltage transformer."

So all I'll need is a voltage transformer? Obviously if I plugged in an amplifier meant for 120 volts into a 240 volt plug (using an adapter), it would probably explode or something lol.
ArturS   
2 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

Oct 2, 09, 02:03 - Thread attached on merging:
Questions about living in Poland

Hey everyone, this may be a slightly long post, so bear with me. I have a few questions regarding moving to Poland; I'm really considering moving there to finish my university studies (2 years left), then stay there permanently.

1) I have a Polish citizenship and passport as both of my parents are immigrants from Poland. I was born here (in Canada). Will I need any further documentation to live and work in Poland?

2) I'm considering living in Krakow. Assuming I got an average job for someone who can speak both English and Polish fluently, such as a job teaching English, what kind of housing would I be looking at? What kind of area? How much would it cost to live there, on average?

3) I would definitely plan on bringing all of my electronics that I have here, like my computer, laptop, guitars/amplifier, cellphone (blackberry) etc. I know that there is a different voltage for electronics in Poland...would it be possible then, to acquire adapters so that all of my stuff would work properly? Anyone have any experience with this? I'd much rather bring the stuff I have here, as I know that electronics are really expensive in Poland.

4) What are the costs for a really fast internet connection in Poland, particularly Krakow? It would be really important to me to have fast internet, say something like 1mb/s download speed.

5) How would I fit in with people, being from Canada? I can speak Polish really well, but my reading and writing are a bit slower as I don't practice either really.

6) Could I easily get a drivers license in Poland?

7) I plan on making 4-5 thousand dollars before I move. How would I bring my money to Poland? Could I set up an account or something before coming, and transfer my money? Would that be enough to start out with while I look for a job, pay rent, buy food etc?

Thanks everyone, hopefully I get some answers. I'm really excited at the idea of moving to Poland, but I need to know what I'm getting into before I make my choice! :)
ArturS   
2 Oct 2009
Work / Moving to Poland from Canada [17]

Hey everyone, first let me introduce myself. I'm 20, in my second year of university (studying archaeology and classical civilizations), I can speak Polish fluently, and of course I can speak English perfectly. Both of my parents were immigrants from Poland (I was born here), so I'm fully a Polish citizen. I'm really considering continuing my studies in Poland and staying there, for various reasons.

1) Before I arrive, I plan to work hard full time in the summer and make $4000-5000. Would this be sufficient in starting out in Poland? Say, potentially paying for a month or two of rent, food, and other expenses?

2) What is it like studying in Poland? Where would be the best university to complete my degree at? How much would tuition be? I have relied on government loans here so far to pay for my tuition; for anyone with experience with them (OSAP), how would this work? Would I continue paying them off in Poland?

3) What jobs would be available for someone like me, fluent in both English and Polish, and studying at a university? I know I could teach English (I assume I would need to take some sort of program here first), but how about government jobs? Business jobs? I would think someone that could speak both languages would be highly useful. What would the pay be like for these jobs?

4) How much would it cost to live in Poland? I am considering Krakow, as in my opinion it is the most beautiful city in Poland and near the mountains. Say I was teaching English (I read somewhere on here that an English teacher in Poland makes ~60zl/h) would that make me middle class or higher? What kind of housing would be available for me? I know stuff like food, housing, utilities, etc. is cheap in Poland, whereas imported stuff like electronics especially are expensive; however, I already have all the electronics I need and finding adapters to accommodate the different plugs wouldn't be a problem.

5) For anyone who has moved to Poland; was it possible to bring with you your valuable possessions from wherever you came from? For example, I have my computer (plus monitor, printer, accessories), stereo system, two guitars and a bass (and a large amplifier), a large amount of clothes, a laptop, a large number of books, etc...how would I arrange to bring all of this stuff over?

6) What is the internet like in Poland? Over here I'm used to fast internet, and if I was living in Poland, it would be very important to me to have a fast connection. How much would it cost to have a high end cable connection, or maybe something like T1? Would it fit within whatever budget I would have working as an English teacher?

Any answers to any of my questions would be really helpful; sorry for the long length of my post. Thanks a lot in advance! :)