delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Life / A Polka station in Poland? [27]
They've made their own interpretation of it that is distinct from American rap. It's not a copy (although undoubtably it originally was) - but something distinct to Poland.
They've made their own interpretation of it that is distinct from American rap. It's not a copy (although undoubtably it originally was) - but something distinct to Poland.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Life / A Polka station in Poland? [27]
To be fair, Polish rap is different - even the culture is completely different. I don't like the genre personally, but there's no denying that Poles made it their own.
It's worth pointing out that self proclaimed 'nationalists' are usually fans of rap.
You mean home-grown copycat rap-crap! Ughhhh! A cheap make-over to monosyllabic grunts straight from America's slums.
To be fair, Polish rap is different - even the culture is completely different. I don't like the genre personally, but there's no denying that Poles made it their own.
It's worth pointing out that self proclaimed 'nationalists' are usually fans of rap.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Life / A Polka station in Poland? [27]
Except the Polonia Polka isn't homegrown, whereas Polish rap (as terrible as much of it is...) is very much homegrown.
Except the Polonia Polka isn't homegrown, whereas Polish rap (as terrible as much of it is...) is very much homegrown.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Work / Why are so many PF member in Poland working in education? [19]
So you spent time working as a teacher in the UK. What relevance does that have to the Polish educational system, given that the two are very different? What's your experience in schools in Poland approved by the Ministry of Education?
Teachers are always moaning in Poland - and if you actually knew anything about Polish education, you'd know what the problem is with them.
For what it's worth, I don't work in a language school.
Not a surprise. I supppose the view of Poland from a basement in another country is different to our view.
I spent years as a schoolteacher (the last 3 were great!) in England before my wife dragged me over to Poland. With my peronal background in England and 3 school teachers in the family in Poland I can see that language school teachers like Delphi generally have little idea about schooling in Poland.
So you spent time working as a teacher in the UK. What relevance does that have to the Polish educational system, given that the two are very different? What's your experience in schools in Poland approved by the Ministry of Education?
Teachers are always moaning in Poland - and if you actually knew anything about Polish education, you'd know what the problem is with them.
For what it's worth, I don't work in a language school.
I can tell you, the extreme right-wing pseudo Poles on PF are not going to like it.
Not a surprise. I supppose the view of Poland from a basement in another country is different to our view.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Work / Why are so many PF member in Poland working in education? [19]
I couldn't do it - the combination of late nights and early mornings became a killer after a while. I remember taking the bus to work rather than driving just so I could sleep for half an hour on the bus - not healthy!
The hours nearly killed me. Sometimes I was working from 8am-9pm, with a break here and there during the day.
I couldn't do it - the combination of late nights and early mornings became a killer after a while. I remember taking the bus to work rather than driving just so I could sleep for half an hour on the bus - not healthy!
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
USA, Canada / Living 16+ years in the US. Is moving back to Poland a good idea? [14]
A diploma level teacher in a small town can do very well for themselves.
A diploma level teacher in a small town can do very well for themselves.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
USA, Canada / PolishAmericanReview's review of current events in America [48]
So you find comments like this 'quite interesting'?
(comment : the fact that they lost in court suggests that NBC actually didn't do such a thing)
Can't even get their facts right - as I recall, Poland never surrendered.
..
It has to be said - this website does a far better job of insulting Polish-Americans than anyone on PF ever did.
I find it quite interesting.
So you find comments like this 'quite interesting'?
White Liberal Supremacists
-And God knows NBC-TV for decades has been using false imagery and slurs to slander us Polish Americans especially in the 1970's & 80's (The Polish American Guardian Society ALMOST won its lawsuit against NBC for NBC's anti-Polish defamation).
(comment : the fact that they lost in court suggests that NBC actually didn't do such a thing)
Jerzy Janowicz Awsome Winning moment - Wimbledon Quarter finals
in Sept. 1939. Poland fought BOTH huge nations...who together outnumbered Poland's population 7 to 1.... for 5 weeks before surrendering.
Can't even get their facts right - as I recall, Poland never surrendered.
..
It has to be said - this website does a far better job of insulting Polish-Americans than anyone on PF ever did.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Work / Living in Lublin (as a teacher)!? [36]
It's a public school that he's working in, so I'd guess that the point of the programme is as he says - the teaching is just a side issue.
There is one question - I'm not so sure that the school will be happy for someone taking part in this programme to live so far away. They might only expect 12 hours of teaching, but they might well expect him to be around much more than that.
That looks like a lot of nonsense to me. People going to language courses (and paying good money for them) do that to learn that language.
It's a public school that he's working in, so I'd guess that the point of the programme is as he says - the teaching is just a side issue.
There is one question - I'm not so sure that the school will be happy for someone taking part in this programme to live so far away. They might only expect 12 hours of teaching, but they might well expect him to be around much more than that.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Work / Why are so many PF member in Poland working in education? [19]
I like it. It's a fun, varied job that requires a hell of a lot of thinking on your feet, combined with being absolutely required to be flexible. But it's worth pointing out that my day never starts earlier than 8am and never finishes later than 3 - and I only usually work 4 days a week. To have a 3 day weekend is great, and for instance - I managed to take a week off in May to go to Croatia because we closed the school rather than open for 2 days out of 5 that week.
But it's worth pointing out that unlike most English teachers working in language schools, I'm paid a set salary regardless of what I do - which makes a huge difference to my quality of life.
At least in my case, it's what I always wanted to do. I dabbled with self employment for a while, I had a business idea that was working - but I was offered a great job in a school. It was a no-brainer - it would have been foolish to throw 60 hour weeks into self emloyment when I could do less than half of that in a proper job.
Funnily enough, I think I'd be totally lost without being able to speak Polish. All the meetings and so on are always in Polish because most of my colleagues don't speak English - I was particularly proud a few weeks ago of having made quite a detailed plan with a colleague - all in Polish.
Indeed. It's often (at least for English speakers) all they can do - particularly for people involved in business that can only be done in the native language. I think it's madness to come here if you're already well established in your own country in a field that can't easily be transported to Poland, however.
Is it because they like it, the flexible working hours, never a dull moment, the pay
I like it. It's a fun, varied job that requires a hell of a lot of thinking on your feet, combined with being absolutely required to be flexible. But it's worth pointing out that my day never starts earlier than 8am and never finishes later than 3 - and I only usually work 4 days a week. To have a 3 day weekend is great, and for instance - I managed to take a week off in May to go to Croatia because we closed the school rather than open for 2 days out of 5 that week.
But it's worth pointing out that unlike most English teachers working in language schools, I'm paid a set salary regardless of what I do - which makes a huge difference to my quality of life.
Or was it a last resort, because they did not find anything else?
At least in my case, it's what I always wanted to do. I dabbled with self employment for a while, I had a business idea that was working - but I was offered a great job in a school. It was a no-brainer - it would have been foolish to throw 60 hour weeks into self emloyment when I could do less than half of that in a proper job.
Teaching is an option that doesn't require you to speak Polish
Funnily enough, I think I'd be totally lost without being able to speak Polish. All the meetings and so on are always in Polish because most of my colleagues don't speak English - I was particularly proud a few weeks ago of having made quite a detailed plan with a colleague - all in Polish.
It is only I often see people looking for an "ordinary" job in Poland, without knowing any Polish at all, and then starting to ask if they can earn a living on teaching.
Indeed. It's often (at least for English speakers) all they can do - particularly for people involved in business that can only be done in the native language. I think it's madness to come here if you're already well established in your own country in a field that can't easily be transported to Poland, however.
delphiandomine
19 Jul 2013
Travel / Just visited Poland - here is my random rant [154]
It's different, yes. Neither better or worse, just different.
Yes, this is Europe. Things are different here. For what it's worth, I've rarely seen police hiding just inside city limits - unlike in America which seems to be commonplace.
The evidence suggests otherwise.
Normal practice these days. Perhaps not in the US, but again, in Europe, quite normal. It prevents cheap alcohol being sold to internal EU travellers and also allows the airport to collect anonymised data on the shopping habits of travellers.
I think you've led a sheltered life. Let's take one example - Croatia. The bureaucracy there is designed to prop up Trudjman's theories of state ownership - which means that private companies attempting to get into areas where there exists a dominant state operator face all sorts of obstacles. A great example - motorway service stations. You cannot operate one if your company doesn't also refine oil. The end result? They are dominanted by the two state owned oil companies.
People might talk about Polish bureaucracy on PolishForums - but I imagine it's the same story everywhere.
We all know how this one is easily dodged.
Hasn't rained in almost two weeks, it's consistently above 25c - what's not to like?
Then again, you weren't here in summer because you had to go back to the US.
You're right - living in a modern European city with everything that you need at your feet as opposed to living in the desert far away from any entertainment or otherwise...night and day indeed.
i would love to know which one YOU come from, because the western country I come from is night and day compared to Poland.
It's different, yes. Neither better or worse, just different.
uhmm.....where I'm from? police manually run laser on the roads sporadically (mostly on highways) but radar fixed on metal poles in different locations in a town.....no.
Yes, this is Europe. Things are different here. For what it's worth, I've rarely seen police hiding just inside city limits - unlike in America which seems to be commonplace.
it does nothing for the environment because, as you said, it's a "tiny amount", meaning it doesn't deter anyone from paying it. a bill of 105.40 or 105.50 has no impact on the environment.
The evidence suggests otherwise.
i can honestly say I've never been asked, ever, for my plane ticket when buying anything at an airport. nope.
Normal practice these days. Perhaps not in the US, but again, in Europe, quite normal. It prevents cheap alcohol being sold to internal EU travellers and also allows the airport to collect anonymised data on the shopping habits of travellers.
Polish bureaucracy is notorious. any number of people on this forum can attest to that.
I think you've led a sheltered life. Let's take one example - Croatia. The bureaucracy there is designed to prop up Trudjman's theories of state ownership - which means that private companies attempting to get into areas where there exists a dominant state operator face all sorts of obstacles. A great example - motorway service stations. You cannot operate one if your company doesn't also refine oil. The end result? They are dominanted by the two state owned oil companies.
People might talk about Polish bureaucracy on PolishForums - but I imagine it's the same story everywhere.
i have. they offer comprehensive medical insurance to all their full time employees.
We all know how this one is easily dodged.
anyone that thinks Poland has anything but lousy weather hasn't lived anywhere else.....excluding maybe countries with colder, rainier, sloppier, snowier weather.
Hasn't rained in almost two weeks, it's consistently above 25c - what's not to like?
Then again, you weren't here in summer because you had to go back to the US.
i must have struck a nerve. in any case, yeah, where i'm from.....yep, night and day.
You're right - living in a modern European city with everything that you need at your feet as opposed to living in the desert far away from any entertainment or otherwise...night and day indeed.
delphiandomine
18 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
If they were patriots, they would do patriotic things. Unfortunately, they tend to not do anything to support Poland.
Not really. Even Polish voters heavily rejected the party that represented their interests.
In your opinion.
If they were patriots, they would do patriotic things. Unfortunately, they tend to not do anything to support Poland.
However your opinion is obviously biased.
Not really. Even Polish voters heavily rejected the party that represented their interests.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
With pleasure.
The problem is that history is taught "from the beginning". So - for most people alive today, the most relevant part of history probably concerns the 1945 to 1997 period in Poland - you have quite a lot of major events in that time, ending with the 3rd Republic being a stable country.
But it is almost completely ignored due to the lack of time at the end of the course. So - as a result - children leave school without knowing anything about what happened only a short while ago. I'm not asking for ideological based teaching, rather that more time should be dedicated to that part of history. Certain events (the rigged 3xTAK referendum, Poznan 1956, the Wujek coal mine, etc etc) simply don't get any attention as a result.
It's sad, and is caused by a far too heavy emphasis on vague history from hundreds of years ago rather than an emphasis on what kids can relate to.
With pleasure.
The problem is that history is taught "from the beginning". So - for most people alive today, the most relevant part of history probably concerns the 1945 to 1997 period in Poland - you have quite a lot of major events in that time, ending with the 3rd Republic being a stable country.
But it is almost completely ignored due to the lack of time at the end of the course. So - as a result - children leave school without knowing anything about what happened only a short while ago. I'm not asking for ideological based teaching, rather that more time should be dedicated to that part of history. Certain events (the rigged 3xTAK referendum, Poznan 1956, the Wujek coal mine, etc etc) simply don't get any attention as a result.
It's sad, and is caused by a far too heavy emphasis on vague history from hundreds of years ago rather than an emphasis on what kids can relate to.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
Trying to present a romantic view of things is all fine and well, but the vast majority of people - yes - including PiS supporters know that what Giertych did was rubbish. There's a reason why Jaroslaw Kaczynski attempted to outmanoeuvre him - not least because he was a liability.
And who intends to pay for that, or at the expense of what? Perhaps it would be better to focus on the fact that Giertych completely failed to do anything about the problem of post-WW2 education in history classes?
And what need is there to expand a programme that already takes up 12 years of study?
You also completely fail to realise that history is a subject that should not be manipulated according to the viewpoint of any one individual.
Poles are not Scots, and not everything is about dollars and cents.
Trying to present a romantic view of things is all fine and well, but the vast majority of people - yes - including PiS supporters know that what Giertych did was rubbish. There's a reason why Jaroslaw Kaczynski attempted to outmanoeuvre him - not least because he was a liability.
An understanding and appreciation of one's history and cultrual heritage makes for a fuller person with a deeper sense of self-worth.
And who intends to pay for that, or at the expense of what? Perhaps it would be better to focus on the fact that Giertych completely failed to do anything about the problem of post-WW2 education in history classes?
On that basis practical knowledge can be built. If utilitarian skills are dumped into a spiritual and cultural vacuum you create only an earning and spending machine -- not a well-rounded human being.
And what need is there to expand a programme that already takes up 12 years of study?
You also completely fail to realise that history is a subject that should not be manipulated according to the viewpoint of any one individual.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
Oh dear Polonius. You do realise that the previous one messed with the curriculum for ideological reasons rather than educational reasons?
History and heritage doesn't provide employment, nor does it provide children with much educationally.
Oh dear Polonius. You do realise that the previous one messed with the curriculum for ideological reasons rather than educational reasons?
History and heritage doesn't provide employment, nor does it provide children with much educationally.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Study / Top Warsaw university recommends remedial classes to new students [20]
So why is it that your information just so coincidentally happens to be lifted straight from the PiS manifesto on education?
What a strange little coincidence, especially after all your previous posts full of sly digs at Michnik, Tusk et al.
Please stop pretending that your views are anything other than straight from the pages of the PiS manifesto.
Very odd that his views happen to coincide with what PiS have been saying, isn't it? It's even stranger that his views are at odds with teachers.
I just double checked, and while teachers need to give them a re-sit exam at the end of summer, there's no obligation for them to teach anyone during summer, not least because they're not paid to do so. Teachers in Poland are theoretically paid per hour - so they don't have any duty to teach anything beyond what they're contractually obliged to do.
What is it with PiS supporters and lying?
I'm not sourcing any of my information from PiS!! I have no idea what they are saying as I don't watch TV news or read your rags.
So why is it that your information just so coincidentally happens to be lifted straight from the PiS manifesto on education?
What a strange little coincidence, especially after all your previous posts full of sly digs at Michnik, Tusk et al.
I'm sourcing it all from teachers and professors - who according to you have no idea about schools, universities or education in general!! I'm in a family of teachers and work with academics, so I'm bound to get all my info from politicians, aren't I? D'oh! Keep proving your points why don't you ...?
Please stop pretending that your views are anything other than straight from the pages of the PiS manifesto.
Funny how you're saying the exact opposite of the teacher that I know best.
Very odd that his views happen to coincide with what PiS have been saying, isn't it? It's even stranger that his views are at odds with teachers.
I just double checked, and while teachers need to give them a re-sit exam at the end of summer, there's no obligation for them to teach anyone during summer, not least because they're not paid to do so. Teachers in Poland are theoretically paid per hour - so they don't have any duty to teach anything beyond what they're contractually obliged to do.
What is it with PiS supporters and lying?
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
Shouldn't be any issue as long as the two businesses don't have any relationship - the only question would be whether your shares in the LLC would be counted as joint assets were he to have problems with his business.
If the businesses aren't linked in any way and his workplace isn't the same as yours, then I can't see how they could link the two - unless they proved that he was using your business to benefit his in some way. Running them at arms length from each other should do the job :)
Perhaps in this respect his firm could be of use. His accountant could just do my firms accounting. Still, I wonder if that would somehow link our two business entities in some way and open my LLC to his liability.
Shouldn't be any issue as long as the two businesses don't have any relationship - the only question would be whether your shares in the LLC would be counted as joint assets were he to have problems with his business.
We have thought of this and we are seriously considering it but if my business activity were associated with his, all that separation of finances wouldn't prove effective (at least I think).
If the businesses aren't linked in any way and his workplace isn't the same as yours, then I can't see how they could link the two - unless they proved that he was using your business to benefit his in some way. Running them at arms length from each other should do the job :)
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
No, understandable. But I would check the debts situation out - you may have to make a formal declaration of being financially independent from your husband.
Perhaps - if you could find a way - there could be good money in finding a way for Polish people to operate limited liability companies without the crushing requirements and costs of complying with Polish company law?
It's worth pointing out that a Polish Sp. z o.o costs are horrendous and complicated. I invested this route a while ago, and I simply couldn't find accounting services for less than 400zl/month + VAT - and I wouldn't have trusted the accountancy practice in question. They also take a considerable amount of effort to administrate, and aren't much use for small busineses. I understand exactly what you mean by not wanting the liability, however.
I mean, based on this factor we should just operate as separate entities. Maybe I'm being overly cautious but I get nervous when I hear that someone has to operate as a sole proprietor (by virtue of their industry) and doesn't have limited liability.
No, understandable. But I would check the debts situation out - you may have to make a formal declaration of being financially independent from your husband.
Perhaps - if you could find a way - there could be good money in finding a way for Polish people to operate limited liability companies without the crushing requirements and costs of complying with Polish company law?
It's worth pointing out that a Polish Sp. z o.o costs are horrendous and complicated. I invested this route a while ago, and I simply couldn't find accounting services for less than 400zl/month + VAT - and I wouldn't have trusted the accountancy practice in question. They also take a considerable amount of effort to administrate, and aren't much use for small busineses. I understand exactly what you mean by not wanting the liability, however.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
Harry knows better than me, but I think you're jointly liable anyway for debts regardless of what name is on the company?
There is one downside - as far as I recall, consulting work in Poland means you have to register for VAT automatically. But you can always just invoice for something else...
Harry knows better than me, but I think you're jointly liable anyway for debts regardless of what name is on the company?
There is one downside - as far as I recall, consulting work in Poland means you have to register for VAT automatically. But you can always just invoice for something else...
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
I'm sure Kaczynski would rather have had the PSL in Government than the alternatives. Certainly, a PiS-PSL coalition would have given them 180 votes - not enough for a majority, but enough votes to make life very awkward for other parties if they wanted to block legislation. Under such a deal, PO would have been more or less forced into relying on Samobroona and the SLD to block socially conservative legislation - which would have been very harmful for them in the long run as PiS could have had a field day by attacking PO's reliance on Samobroona - exactly as PO did to PiS.
It also would have left LPR out in the cold - which would have meant no students on the street protesting against a clueless education minister.
Were they even invited? PiS has traditonally viewed them as a commie collaborator since they were in more than one SLD government.
I'm sure Kaczynski would rather have had the PSL in Government than the alternatives. Certainly, a PiS-PSL coalition would have given them 180 votes - not enough for a majority, but enough votes to make life very awkward for other parties if they wanted to block legislation. Under such a deal, PO would have been more or less forced into relying on Samobroona and the SLD to block socially conservative legislation - which would have been very harmful for them in the long run as PiS could have had a field day by attacking PO's reliance on Samobroona - exactly as PO did to PiS.
It also would have left LPR out in the cold - which would have meant no students on the street protesting against a clueless education minister.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
Well yes, quite ;)
Being Polish might even work against her in this respect - the automatic assumption will be that she's after a permanent umowa o prace just to run off on maternity leave. Polish employment law really does encourage sexism.
What I would suggest is that - if you can - you should use your husband's business to be able to provide invoices to clients. What you could then do is market yourself as being someone who can handle the responsibility of the export process - from clearing export customs through to delivery to the client, combined with making sure that the service meets US law and requirements. You don't have to worry about Polish law then - all you need to know is the customs clearance rules, which aren't particularly difficult to comply with.
Another area that might be of interest is in helping people administrate Delaware companies, but I'm not sure at all as to their popularity in Europe...
A final suggestion - do you know anything about US tax law?
More than a red flag! That could well be a 'after a month or two we won't see her for five or six years' flag.
Well yes, quite ;)
Being Polish might even work against her in this respect - the automatic assumption will be that she's after a permanent umowa o prace just to run off on maternity leave. Polish employment law really does encourage sexism.
Thank you. This was something that I thought about a while back but, honestly, since my move to Warsaw in May all my energy was aimed at planning my wedding (it was June 29th!) and I've completely forgotten about it. I think this is a great suggestion and really appreciate it.
What I would suggest is that - if you can - you should use your husband's business to be able to provide invoices to clients. What you could then do is market yourself as being someone who can handle the responsibility of the export process - from clearing export customs through to delivery to the client, combined with making sure that the service meets US law and requirements. You don't have to worry about Polish law then - all you need to know is the customs clearance rules, which aren't particularly difficult to comply with.
Another area that might be of interest is in helping people administrate Delaware companies, but I'm not sure at all as to their popularity in Europe...
A final suggestion - do you know anything about US tax law?
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
The problem is that she doesn't have any knowledge about how to actually teach except Asian experience. That's why I suggest the CELTA - it will show that she's serious about it (and not likely to quit as soon as she finds a better job) - and it will give her the knowledge needed to go into a classroom.
The problem is that she doesn't have any knowledge about how to actually teach except Asian experience. That's why I suggest the CELTA - it will show that she's serious about it (and not likely to quit as soon as she finds a better job) - and it will give her the knowledge needed to go into a classroom.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
They are the best example I can think of when talking about the cordon sanitaire around PiS - as I recall, in the 2007 Federal election that was incredibly inconclusive in Belgium, Vlaams Belang's seats could have allowed the formation of a viable government. But no-one would go near them - they had alienated the other parties so much to the point when they were simply not a viable option. The same is happening in Poland with Kaczynski - no matter their result, no-one wants to go into coalition with them.
Exactly. Vlaams Belang - which is a Flemish-nationalist, extreme-right populist party with a strong anti-foreigner program, had election results in 1990's of up to 25% in Flanders. But nobody ever wanted to talk with them, not for the federal government, not for the Flemish government, not for local coalitions. They have always been condemned to the opposition. They have fallen back to 12% now.
They are the best example I can think of when talking about the cordon sanitaire around PiS - as I recall, in the 2007 Federal election that was incredibly inconclusive in Belgium, Vlaams Belang's seats could have allowed the formation of a viable government. But no-one would go near them - they had alienated the other parties so much to the point when they were simply not a viable option. The same is happening in Poland with Kaczynski - no matter their result, no-one wants to go into coalition with them.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
Insulting someone repeatedly and making baseless accusations really isn't a good way to find a job, you know. The fact that some of us are in a position where we can spend afternoons playing video games while being paid to do so is neither here nor there :)
But when I talk about money, are you really willing to accept a junior position and salary at the age of 29? I ask because I can't imagine starting employment at the lowest level in a corporation at that age - especially having to work alongside 23/24 year olds with the mentality of such.
That's a remarkably naive statement. Those of us living in Poland can attest to having seen thousands of situations where Poles have screwed over fellow Poles, often over tiny things. I remember one story told to me by a rather high ranking executive - his boss (the CEO) wanted to fire someone but wanted them to resign rather than fire them. What did they do? They took his car parking space away from him - it was a perk that wasn't mentioned in his contract, but it meant he had to walk in all weathers from the nearest car park rather than parking underneath the building. Unsurprisingly, the guy quit after a month of such mindgames.
It has to be said, I don't see much room for empathy in Poland.
I doubt it, especially as you'd be considered to be American by most anyway.
Trying to be pragmatic rather than optimistic might be a better idea. Doing the CELTA costs you 4000zl and can get you into many decent situations in terms of meeting the right people - but insulting people and suggesting that you only want something good won't get you anywhere.
I think you're looking at it the wrong way, personally. Instead of crowing about your education and how you can maybe do this and maybe do that, why not focus on what you can actually do? You aren't qualified in Polish/European law, so you've got a disadvantage there - but perhaps you can find a company that exports to the USA and could do with a bilingual person who knows her way around American law. Certainly for exporters, there can be possibilities - but of course, they wouldn't be able to pay you highly.
Then look at it from a different perspective. Yes, your doctorate isn't worth much here for people and that you're also seen as a liability for employers (29, married, without kids = red flag when considering Polish employment law) - but there may very well be some demand for someone that can draw up American contracts for exporters. Polish exports in 2011 to the USA totalled $232,765,000,000 - someone who can guide these exporters around the American market in terms of legalities (complying with labelling laws, etc etc) might very well be in demand.
But you won't find such jobs advertised, nor will you be likely to get them by sending CV's blindly. The best way in the door is to do the CELTA, spend a couple of years teaching and see who you can meet along the way. For a 4000zl investment (a drop in the water compared to the cost of your education, I'm sure!) - you might find many doors opening up that were previously closed.
Would be a pleasure - I could probably have a very interesting discussion with you about why women are so terribly discriminated against in the labour market in Poland.
I take pride in having accomplished what I have and don't appreciate when someone demeans this
Insulting someone repeatedly and making baseless accusations really isn't a good way to find a job, you know. The fact that some of us are in a position where we can spend afternoons playing video games while being paid to do so is neither here nor there :)
But when I talk about money, are you really willing to accept a junior position and salary at the age of 29? I ask because I can't imagine starting employment at the lowest level in a corporation at that age - especially having to work alongside 23/24 year olds with the mentality of such.
Polish people support Poles.
That's a remarkably naive statement. Those of us living in Poland can attest to having seen thousands of situations where Poles have screwed over fellow Poles, often over tiny things. I remember one story told to me by a rather high ranking executive - his boss (the CEO) wanted to fire someone but wanted them to resign rather than fire them. What did they do? They took his car parking space away from him - it was a perk that wasn't mentioned in his contract, but it meant he had to walk in all weathers from the nearest car park rather than parking underneath the building. Unsurprisingly, the guy quit after a month of such mindgames.
It has to be said, I don't see much room for empathy in Poland.
Poles would rather be offended by some expat being rude to a Pole
I doubt it, especially as you'd be considered to be American by most anyway.
who understands the difficulty of her position but would like to remain optimistic that her entire education won't be rendered horse manure simply because she made the right decision for her family.
Trying to be pragmatic rather than optimistic might be a better idea. Doing the CELTA costs you 4000zl and can get you into many decent situations in terms of meeting the right people - but insulting people and suggesting that you only want something good won't get you anywhere.
You really think that I don't understand the difficulties that I am facing?
I think you're looking at it the wrong way, personally. Instead of crowing about your education and how you can maybe do this and maybe do that, why not focus on what you can actually do? You aren't qualified in Polish/European law, so you've got a disadvantage there - but perhaps you can find a company that exports to the USA and could do with a bilingual person who knows her way around American law. Certainly for exporters, there can be possibilities - but of course, they wouldn't be able to pay you highly.
I'm already depressed enough as it is knowing that my education isn't worth much in Poland and being constantly reminded of it is getting old.
Then look at it from a different perspective. Yes, your doctorate isn't worth much here for people and that you're also seen as a liability for employers (29, married, without kids = red flag when considering Polish employment law) - but there may very well be some demand for someone that can draw up American contracts for exporters. Polish exports in 2011 to the USA totalled $232,765,000,000 - someone who can guide these exporters around the American market in terms of legalities (complying with labelling laws, etc etc) might very well be in demand.
But you won't find such jobs advertised, nor will you be likely to get them by sending CV's blindly. The best way in the door is to do the CELTA, spend a couple of years teaching and see who you can meet along the way. For a 4000zl investment (a drop in the water compared to the cost of your education, I'm sure!) - you might find many doors opening up that were previously closed.
I think I'm quite looking forward to the possibility of running into some of you in this "village".
Would be a pleasure - I could probably have a very interesting discussion with you about why women are so terribly discriminated against in the labour market in Poland.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
The comments about "I know what I'm worth" are interesting - I wonder if she realises the reality?
You do know what you'll be earning there and how much you'll be expected to work, don't you?
The comments about "I know what I'm worth" are interesting - I wonder if she realises the reality?
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
It really isn't. You're just repeating what you've read on Wikipedia as fact.
May I remind you that they've been coalition partners in many socially liberal governments?
It really isn't. You're just repeating what you've read on Wikipedia as fact.
May I remind you that they've been coalition partners in many socially liberal governments?
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
News / Poland Parliamentary elections 2015 [1060]
Centrist voters tend to hold varied views on such things, hence why they're a centrist party.
The PSL - as far as I'm aware - holds quite a flexible position in this respect. They don't tend to get involved very much in social issues because it isn't what unites them as a party, unlike PiS and Ruch Palikota.
Centrist voters tend to hold varied views on such things, hence why they're a centrist party.
The PSL - as far as I'm aware - holds quite a flexible position in this respect. They don't tend to get involved very much in social issues because it isn't what unites them as a party, unlike PiS and Ruch Palikota.
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Travel / Worth visiting Warsaw? [20]
Warsaw is well worth a 3 day visit - and it's remarkably easy to get around. :)
Warsaw is well worth a 3 day visit - and it's remarkably easy to get around. :)
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Work / Female Juris Doctor/Native American Speaker/Jobs in Warsaw [59]
They certainly are mostly irrelevant for someone that wants to teach.
That's why you're sitting at home doing nothing while others are working, isn't it? Sneering at those who might have 'lesser qualifications' won't get you anywhere except staying at home - especially in a country like Poland where people do not like to be made to feel inferior.
They certainly may not be too impressed with your haughty manner towards people. Like I keep saying, Poles do not like to be made to feel inferior.
In a village such as Poland? Not really. Can't be many people lurking around Warsaw with the same as you have.
Thank you Monitor, that puts it better than I did. It's also worth pointing out that there is a perception that PhD's are expensive - and thus they won't get interviews for that reason.
I've been told by several people that to get a good job in law requires personal connections. I wouldn't believe it, but I've been told by several lawyers that they all worked for 3 years during their practice for free in order to get qualified here.
He probably was wise enough to suck up to everyone that he met ;)
Is money important to you?
Those people that could help me would only care about those qualifications of mine, which you claim are irrelevant.
They certainly are mostly irrelevant for someone that wants to teach.
My personal network doesn't include CELTA holding BA grads. Sorry.
That's why you're sitting at home doing nothing while others are working, isn't it? Sneering at those who might have 'lesser qualifications' won't get you anywhere except staying at home - especially in a country like Poland where people do not like to be made to feel inferior.
By the way, employers that are looking to hire someone with my credentials wouldn't be deterred by my responses to you.
They certainly may not be too impressed with your haughty manner towards people. Like I keep saying, Poles do not like to be made to feel inferior.
Oh, and news flash! I'm posting anonymously.
In a village such as Poland? Not really. Can't be many people lurking around Warsaw with the same as you have.
What Harry and Delphiandomine are trying to tell you is that high qualification are worth in Poland less than in the west and not necessarily can give you pass to the teaching profession. Here 50% of people 25 - 35 have high school diploma, many of them graduated few faculties, great majority has master and not so little PhD and still many layers here is unemployed or work for funny money.
Thank you Monitor, that puts it better than I did. It's also worth pointing out that there is a perception that PhD's are expensive - and thus they won't get interviews for that reason.
I can add that getting job in university is probably harder than in industry, because in Poland PhD from Poland will be valued more than from abroad, and even more are valued connections.
I've been told by several people that to get a good job in law requires personal connections. I wouldn't believe it, but I've been told by several lawyers that they all worked for 3 years during their practice for free in order to get qualified here.
I have no idea how he got these jobs but I don't think he was any sort of legal genius in the States, more like a guy with a law degree.
He probably was wise enough to suck up to everyone that he met ;)
I don't mind starting from the bottom.
Is money important to you?
delphiandomine
17 Jul 2013
Study / Top Warsaw university recommends remedial classes to new students [20]
You certainly do support PiS, as your previous posts make very clear. The things you talk about in your post (criticising books, schools and educational system) is also a core part of the PiS platform. See, being interested in education, I tend to keep track of what people say in politics - and what you say is straight from PiS.
Oh dear. Palikot doesn't get support from "thick kids" - he gets support from people who are intelligent. You might regard his supporters as thick (like all PiS supporters) - but the reality is that Ruch Palikota's support comes mainly from the educated youth of Poland that were disenfranchised for many years. Common PiS talk however - people with primary school education insulting the educated.
Oh please. Anyone can get the teachers books - they can be bought through any good bookshop. As for the methodology of the books - any good Polish teacher will tell you that you must teach to the programme, not to the book. Only a poor, poor teacher would ever consider the 'book' as being the programme in Poland. I've had a quick look at my programme (written by a wonderful lady in Torun, actually) - and it's clear that following the book alone is not good enough.
It's working in Poland, not least because it addresses what was one of the huge concerns under the 8-4 system - children are being written off in primary school and then don't have a chance to sort themselves out in a new environment. Yes, it's not perfect, and I'd rather just see 6 year high schools - but it works.
The teacher doesn't have to teach the child at all - for a start, teachers are only (theoretically) paid for their attendance in school and nothing else. No teacher is going to give up holidays for free to teach a child - if they do, it's their own personal choice to do so. What you're alluding to is a failure to discipline children correctly, particularly due to the 'right to an education' nonsense.
Oh really? Would that be why (according to the Politechnika Warszawska website) physics only required 102 points on their scale, compared to scores closer to 200 for more attractive subjects? As you're well aware, Polish universities allow anyone who passed their Matura to apply - so if the minimum score for entry was 102, it means that it converts roughly into an average of 50% at Matura. In other words - the students are crap.
No, they're dropping out because -
a) They resat their Matura, got a better score and got into a course that was less of an unemployment factory
b) They were going to study physics despite getting a poor physics grade
c) The expectations of the universities are out of sync with what's being taught in school (common)
How is WOS a waste of time? So many people don't even know the basics about the relationship between the EU and Poland - leading to nonsense that they believe in rags like Gazeta Polska.
But they will have covered the same things because the programme is broadly similar, combined with a standardised exam in Mathematics at the end of middle school. The lack of cooperation between middle and high schools is lamentable, however - and causes the situation that the high school teachers expect the middle school kids to be able to do things that they can't do.
Good high schools have high expectations - yes. The points required to get into the best three high schools here are huge - there is somewhat immense competition for such places, not least because private schools are doing a dreadful job in many cases. But universities are a different story - shall I give some examples? I'll use Adam Mickiewicz for this because it's what I'm familiar with -
amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe - all scores out of 100
Law - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DM-Prawo-2012 - 71.60 points required for entry.
Norwegian - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-NorwA-2013 - 91.40 points required for entry
Psychology - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DM-PSYCH-2012 - 60.60 points required for entry
All fine and well, and shows that UAM is one of the better universities in the country. But.
Physics - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-FizO-2012 - 33.30 points required for entry
Biological Chemistry - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-CHB-2012 - 26.40 points required for entry
Europeistyka - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-EUR-2012 - 11.55 points required for entry
Hence - universities do not have high standards as a rule, but rather they work solely on the basis of who applies for the courses. For me, it is sheer madness that anyone would be allowed to study physics with a score that suggests somewhere around 45% at Matura.
I don't know why Delphi keeps on thinking I support PiS. I don't and my post has nothing to do with them whatsoever.
You certainly do support PiS, as your previous posts make very clear. The things you talk about in your post (criticising books, schools and educational system) is also a core part of the PiS platform. See, being interested in education, I tend to keep track of what people say in politics - and what you say is straight from PiS.
Oh dear. Palikot doesn't get support from "thick kids" - he gets support from people who are intelligent. You might regard his supporters as thick (like all PiS supporters) - but the reality is that Ruch Palikota's support comes mainly from the educated youth of Poland that were disenfranchised for many years. Common PiS talk however - people with primary school education insulting the educated.
First off: the schoolbooks suck - I'm talking from a teacher-using-the-book point of view ... which you can only get if you're a teacher! Anyone who tells you differently is a liar.
Oh please. Anyone can get the teachers books - they can be bought through any good bookshop. As for the methodology of the books - any good Polish teacher will tell you that you must teach to the programme, not to the book. Only a poor, poor teacher would ever consider the 'book' as being the programme in Poland. I've had a quick look at my programme (written by a wonderful lady in Torun, actually) - and it's clear that following the book alone is not good enough.
Middle school - only introduced because the Germans introduced it.
It's working in Poland, not least because it addresses what was one of the huge concerns under the 8-4 system - children are being written off in primary school and then don't have a chance to sort themselves out in a new environment. Yes, it's not perfect, and I'd rather just see 6 year high schools - but it works.
Repeating a year at school.
The teacher doesn't have to teach the child at all - for a start, teachers are only (theoretically) paid for their attendance in school and nothing else. No teacher is going to give up holidays for free to teach a child - if they do, it's their own personal choice to do so. What you're alluding to is a failure to discipline children correctly, particularly due to the 'right to an education' nonsense.
The points you need to get onto a physics course at Warsaw Technical University are weighted - meaning that you need to get very high marks in your physics exam at matura to get on the physics course!
Oh really? Would that be why (according to the Politechnika Warszawska website) physics only required 102 points on their scale, compared to scores closer to 200 for more attractive subjects? As you're well aware, Polish universities allow anyone who passed their Matura to apply - so if the minimum score for entry was 102, it means that it converts roughly into an average of 50% at Matura. In other words - the students are crap.
The problem is that people scoring high levels in physics at matura level are dropping out of physics and related science courses because they have not had enough time to study physics to a high enough level at school.
No, they're dropping out because -
a) They resat their Matura, got a better score and got into a course that was less of an unemployment factory
b) They were going to study physics despite getting a poor physics grade
c) The expectations of the universities are out of sync with what's being taught in school (common)
Vital time is also wasted on additional courses (WOK, WOS etc).
How is WOS a waste of time? So many people don't even know the basics about the relationship between the EU and Poland - leading to nonsense that they believe in rags like Gazeta Polska.
Mixed ability - once again Delphi misses the point.
But they will have covered the same things because the programme is broadly similar, combined with a standardised exam in Mathematics at the end of middle school. The lack of cooperation between middle and high schools is lamentable, however - and causes the situation that the high school teachers expect the middle school kids to be able to do things that they can't do.
High schools and universities have high expectations.
Good high schools have high expectations - yes. The points required to get into the best three high schools here are huge - there is somewhat immense competition for such places, not least because private schools are doing a dreadful job in many cases. But universities are a different story - shall I give some examples? I'll use Adam Mickiewicz for this because it's what I'm familiar with -
amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe - all scores out of 100
Law - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DM-Prawo-2012 - 71.60 points required for entry.
Norwegian - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-NorwA-2013 - 91.40 points required for entry
Psychology - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DM-PSYCH-2012 - 60.60 points required for entry
All fine and well, and shows that UAM is one of the better universities in the country. But.
Physics - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-FizO-2012 - 33.30 points required for entry
Biological Chemistry - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-CHB-2012 - 26.40 points required for entry
Europeistyka - amuland.pl/Portal/Progi-punktowe/DL-EUR-2012 - 11.55 points required for entry
Hence - universities do not have high standards as a rule, but rather they work solely on the basis of who applies for the courses. For me, it is sheer madness that anyone would be allowed to study physics with a score that suggests somewhere around 45% at Matura.