So I've been reading the various posts for some time and see loads of men, both Brits and Americans, who seem to be going to Poland for teaching purposes, or are already there for one reason or another. What I also see, and what I'm a little curious about, is the lack of female presence (just on these boards or in PL as well?)
I'm in my mid twenties with a bachelors degree, in the midst of my masters, will have my CELTA this summer, and have always adored Poland (have family ties there, visited a few years back whilst I was living abroad, etc etc.) By no means am I put off by the lack of females, but I wanted to ask if it was just this board, or are there really very few American/British females teaching English in Poland these days?
I honestly can't think of many other places I'd like to work abroad more (some W.Europe countries aside, which being American, are fairly off the table to me.) It seems a rather great place to be for a few years, though I'm curious if being an American female limits your interactions with local men? I found in my experience traveling through various parts of E.Europe that men were much, much more traditional and a little confused by the idea of an attractive, educated, single woman "wandering" around town alone. Perhaps this was just the case in the small towns I found myself in?
Well, I suppose the American female vs. Polish male thing doesn't matter TOO much, but it's always nice to ask those who may have a bit more perspective on it ;)
A friend of mine from America whose family is Polish came to Warsaw for a job for a year. She spoke native Polish. However she did not do well socially because social customs are different. In her view, interaction in Poland is all based in groups. When we went out to a club, she always ventured from our group and wanted to meet cute guys on her own. It did not work well. I think the guys were unsure how to react. Most of the guys she dated were non Polish in the end.
I'm of the female variety and young and british, so fulfil the criteria of what i have to agree, seems to be few and far between over here! i moved to krakow about a month ago to teach and i'm actually struggling to come across native speakers over here at all (other than tourists and groups of guys from the uk getting drunk here over the weekend!) i don't know whether i'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time or what, but at least it seems you think you are too! it's nice to hear!
experience seems to suggest that there are more female english teachers in poland than male, and i am sure this has been discussed on previous threads, but its true that they dont seem to get out and about to the extent of their male counterparts
Hi Jill, I live about 90km to the East of you with my partner and our two children. My partner teaches English at the local secondary school and there are a couple of native English teachers living in the town. I saw some female American teachers a few years back but I believe they moved on. If you every want a roast Sunday dinner you are welcome to visit.
this baffles me, where are they?! and particularly in krakow, there are 100's of language schools but still mostly taught by polish teachers, who granted have fantastic english but tend to be older and with families, commitments etc. i had assumed there would be a greater population of care-free younger tefl teachers but perhaps they're more inclined to hit the far east or something? who knows! i'm sure they must be out there somewhere!
thanks avalon! that's what i love about this place, people are so forthcoming and hospitable....i'm determined to find these native speakers in krakow somehow, until then, i'm very happy with the company of the wonderful polish people of the city, they are after all the reason i'm suppose to be here!....now just to find them....
I know many females either preparing for their time as an English teacher abroad or ones that are already over there, but there has to be some in Poland! I know several who wound up in Asia (and to me it would seem much easier to assimilate into Polish culture rather than Korean/Chinese/etc)
I'm not over the yet, but plan on being there by August. Am I going to struggle to find some native-speaking company, or, like a previous poster mentioned, find it impossible to meet Polish men (oh how sad, sad that would be ;)
Elis I too questioned the amount of American/British ladies teaching english. I thought maybe I was the only one. I am on my second year of living/teaching. There are plenty of American girls studying medicine but they tend to stick together. I have met 1 other American girl but she was deep into her religious studies and we didn't quite get each other. I have plenty of polish friends but they don't appreciate my imported macaroni out of a box or a good margarita.
I think ladies are a little more shy then boys. Boys will let the world know they are there, us ladies are a little more quiet and reserved.
Having been in Poland on and off for ten years this has always been a problem.
Being honest three of the main benefits in Poland are cheap booze, good nightlife and pretty girls. Take those away and I probably would not have stayed, as it can be a difficult place to live.
I have known plenty of expat women here in their 20s but they tend to stay for a year or so and then leave, I certainly can not think of any who have stayed on and married Polish guys.
I lived in Krakow this summer. All the students had left, for home or abroad. I came down last weekend and the city had a completely different energy level... all the students were back, the British stag parties had cleared out.
My boyfriend is Polish, I am American, we are in our early twenties. In my experience, young Poles go out to get drunk with their friends. They meet people through classes, study groups, other friends, and social networks from their home towns.
As a foreigner, it is always hard to meet the locals without some contacts. I don't think Poland is much different in that respect from other countries. If you want to meet a lot of young Poles, go abroad, where they too will be looking for friends.
Finally, as a female, I have to say that the under-25 generation of Polish men has some pretty good pickings of tall, attractive, educated, English-speaking, courteous potential partners. But you probably won't meet them outside of the universities and UK hostels. I met mine in a bar in Dublin.
I live in Warsaw i am 22 Male, working here. (not teaching) I have met 2 English girls in two years who actually lived her, but they buggered off back to UK! I love living here but i do miss having friends who are my age and native British....
having lived in poland and the us I can tell you Elis that definitely polish guys like you. they would like to get to know you, become friends, and so on. just make sure you are not too forward, you show some interest in them by asking questions, and you let them decide, as oppose to taking the lead, where the first date will take place.
I'm a Canadian female in my mid twenties living in Krakow Poland. I understand what you're saying. It's been incredibly hard finding female friends here! There seem to be a lot of middle aged British men though. If you move to Krakow give me a shout.
