New English Language Magazine for expats in Poland?

Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum and would really appreciate members feedback on an idea:
As far as I am aware, there isn’t really a lifestyle magazine dedicated to expats living in Poland, covering such areas as practical advice on how to integrate into Polish life, covering basic living/legal requirements, explaining the hows and whys of establishing oneself in Poland, with a focus on getting to grips with the lingo, customs ,history and culture.

I recall picking up a glossy mag in the airport which seemed primarily aimed at tourists/investors with much of the focus on investment , where to stay and spend money enjoying oneself.

While there are English language newspapers and imported UK/USA magazine available, I have not heard of anything specifically aimed at those of us who have decided to settle here...

Could you let me know if this is the case and, if not, how much interest would there be among you guys to receive such a publication written by and for expats? What sort of content would you want to read about most?

Any comments welcome...

Cheers,

Rob

hi rob, aussie expat living in Wroclaw, would love to be a part of it, think it would great idea. contact me via email if you have more interest.

Hi David,

Will do thanks.

I note today, from lots of internet research, that there are a number of non-property/business/investment English language magazines but all seemed aimed at expats in Warsaw... There must be a fair few of us living outside the (dare I say overrated) capital?

Quite a few seem to concertrate on domestic/international news but none so far that I have come across seem to deal with the real nitty gritty pratical issues facing non-Poles.

Any thoughts? (pls let me know if I have overlooked some publication that addresses these issues!)

Maybe they've improved since I was there (three years ago now, tempus fugit) but I found them pretty useless even for Warsaw so you probably have a good idea there. There used to be couple of reasonable web sites for expats (expats-in-poland is the only one I can remember. Good luck with the venture if you proceed with it.

Your new magazine should work both ways .... Polish edition, about the UK
English edition, about Poland.

Both editions might be picked up by students looking into the opposite culture.

Thanks... We already do the Polish version for Poles in the UK...

I was thinking of a more low key affair, really just for the expat community so the new and inexperienced could be helped by the more established regulars....

Do you guys thinks there is any need for it given there are all these expats forums?

i think just the english one would do, but thats just my opinion.

It seems that most expats have a Polish partner, so for that reason I wouldn't bother.


Are there enough expats to make a low key affair worthwhile ?

You would also have to take some of the Warsaw Voice, Poland Monthly and WBJ market.

There is an International Society made up of women expats in Krakow, mostly wives of expat hubbies, but from all over the world, not just US/UK. They have a newsletter and have guest lecturers, book clubs, regular meetings, etc. They might be interested in contributing or being freelance writers/reporters, on your behalf.

I can pass it on that you are polling this idea here and see what the level of interest is. I will be arriving in Krakow in Sept with my husband and family for three years and I'd love to be part of this magazine start-up in some way, myself.

That is a great idea!
I searched in vain for exactly that kind of publication when i was moving here. in fact i could still do with one. and i'd be interested in writing something for it if you proceed with your plans...

Is Radombrit in the town of Radom? If so, I know Radom quite well. I been there several times. Do you teach English there? I know of several schools in the area.

I agree too, great idea. I live in Katowice and sometimes I am starving for English language news about people in my situation. Forums are great but I can't take my computer into my bathroom in the morning. I would love also to have the opportunity to have my articles rejected. It could also be a great network to help solve our unique problems we sometimes encounter. Even a united voice for us ex-pats.

The trouble is that there are not enough ex pats in small areas of Poland to make it really worth while in producing newspapers ect costs of printing ect. I imagine that for a teacher of English in a town like Radom it must become pretty lonely after a while. I am all right as I am a rare visitor for a few days at a time and I play with my video camera but if I was stuck somewhere for two years with a limited knowlege of the language it could be a little grim. I have heard that there are many well paid jobs for teachers in South Korea. I visited the country en-route from and to Australia. A fascinating place and so different from Europe but what would life be like for me on my own in a totally different cuture. If you have a magnetic personality and can easily make friends that may be something else of course. As far as Poland is concerned maybe this forum, or another one like it via the internet could be at least mobilized in search of all teachers ect with a similar interests and backgrounds to gather in these people and meet from time to time.

Thanks for the feedback...

I was not thinking of going the whole hog and printing a mag (yet) more of cost-effective publication written by, for and driven by the needs of expats in Poland.

Yes, by the by, I am based in Radom and am busy working on many projects.

This was less of a commerical idea and more about networking, fun and having something specifically for US!

We could put together a mailing list and send a monthly copy to everyone or maybe people could contribute something meger like £1 to help with printing costs.

If ppl could drop me a line if they would like to write, be involved in or just like to receive a copy then I could see if worth doing...

Cheers

Generally people say that there is nothing special about Radom but I rather like the place myself. There is a nice large open market there on the outskirts of the town but I am not sure which days of the week it is open.

There is a newspapper callled New Warsaw Express. For some time they had .pdf format and now they offer also printed edition.
nwe.com.pl

My name is Gonzo, I have a friend in Poland who lives in Wroclaw his name is Maciej Majka ( Jimbo ) I got an msg today about hin dieying and found his body in the river

"his body was found in the river Odra in Wroclaw".

Is any way you can confirm or dinied this? Im in California and the only way i can do this is like in the net so if you can help me will be great.

he is a good friend of mine and I hope this is just a bad bad joke frome someone.
thanks Gozno My e-mail is
gonzo@arzukproductions.com

gonzo you should start a new thread for this - more people will see it

I think it sounds like an excellent idea - i would buy it!

I'm looking at the concept of a lifestyle magazine for exiles as we are called. The problem is volume and target market. To be viable as a magazine the readership needs to attract lifestyle advertisers (not pubs, bars and restaurants) and this hasn't been tried before.

Define what you want and I'll add it to my list for assessment.

Neil Crook
Publisher - Poland Monthly

Hi Brit

Haven't read the whole thread, but did you have a look at the Warsaw Insider yet?

This is just for Warsaw though - don't know if there are insiders for the other cities.

i get it via email :)

Good luck with your projects radom esp the magazine seems to be getting some interest :)

You can find this newspaper in some places in Krakow.
krakowpost.com

And there is also this electronic publication....

nwe.pl/subscribe.php

I just came across this thread and first off wanted to thank those who've had kind words for our publication.
In terms of a resource for expats, unless you're looking to start a business, in which case I can only wish you good luck, I'd be glad to consider any ideas any of you might have regarding coverage of expat life in the New Warsaw Express (for those interested: nwe.pl). For more than five years now we have been trying to cover not only the news, but also the human dimension of life in Poland, and I think we've done a fairer job than most. However, I'm always looking for ways in which we can improve, and if any of you have ideas for things that it would be good to cover, I'm all ears.

Also, feel free to PM me if you'd like to contribute articles or research - especially from outside Warsaw.

Simon Cygielski
New Warsaw Express

I hope a bit of shameless self-promotion won't ruffle too many feathers, but we have just gone live with the new New Warsaw Express website: nwe.pl

In coming weeks we'll be filling it up with older stories and as usual continuing to bring you all the latest on Polish news, sports, business and entertainment.

As usual, we're looking for any feedback you may have.