Moving to Poland from Canada

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! :)

search the forums for most of your answers.

4-5k $ will go far if you do it right.


fat chance i feel but if you're smart maybe you can hook a few with that.


think again.. it's nowhere close to cheap in PL


are those 220-240V? may work in PL although you want to check the phases there too.

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! :)

how many of these threads are you thinking of starting?

the man is on a mission!!!! what can you say

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.

yup, explode.. and yup on the converter.

Hey let me know if you see the pic in my avatar everywhere while youre over there:)

sledz
Probably if I went to the parliament near my university I would, but I'm too lazy. :P

Yeah, what up wit dat new avatar? Queen is with the CDN flag.... You thinking of leaving the finest democratic bastion on the continent to join us here in the great white north?

ArturS
Welcome Artur. Didn't know there was a strong PL community in Pickering.

This post will self destruct when the mods notice it is off topic.

:-)

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!

Ahh, you know the Queen Mother hangs above your bed. Lol.

I mean in this day and age you guys still give some bozo born on 3rd base all that reverance. They say Yanks are stupid :-S

I think Mississauga has the largest contingent of Poles. It seem most of the Poles in Roncessvales are in the Babcia Brigade.


I thought I heard the cat growling at something the other night....

many electrical appliances (German or Japan made especially) have a switch (or a screw - but not a loose one) to adjust to the country's voltage - check if your stuff got that

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?

Buy a transformer for your appliances that need 120V 60 Hz to operate in Poland at 220V 50Hz. They cost about $100-$200 Canadian.

Housing, utilities, food are not cheap in Poland. Prices are similar or more than in Canada.

60 zl/hr will not make you rich.

Many people in Poland are fluent in English and Polish so you need some marketable skills to get a good job other than language ability.

Hello ArturS
If you want some help write: s.belladonna@gmail
I can sent you some information about Poland and Krakow