Law / Ways of getting Permanent residency in Poland [101]

Yes. The method to obtain such a status is outlined above.

5 years of legal work or marriage to a Polish citizen is the normal route.

Law / Invoice Question and Bookkeeping Records in Poland [4]

March. You pay tax on the invoice, not on the payment.

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


Of course, but how many really good teachers even want to leave the UK in the first place?

Do you know how they compare to British public schools?


Absolutely, A levels have suffered with so much interference that I'm not convinced that they're worth a thing these days.


I think it's a great way of doing things - means they don't get stuck in one mentality!

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


See, that would concern me - the fees are so high that you would expect fantastic teaching. But the pool of acceptable teachers is probably quite small (UK qualified and willing to live in Warsaw) - so you start to wonder.


Maybe no other option, but is the British education really any better (for someone living in Poland permanently) than a Polish education?


How do they find the transition from the British School to the Polish system?

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


There really isn't much competition though, is there?

But what I mean is more from the perspective of someone living here for the long term - is it actually all that it's cracked up to be? I'd always wonder how they would be able to attract really great teachers.

Love / Wedding in Poland, Bydgoszcz Ideas! [6]


I completely agree - they won't say it to her face, but you can guarantee that they'll be ******** and moaning about it, even if the food is absolutely fantastic.

And I'd argue that even if the guests aren't country dwellers, they'll still have ridiculous views about it.

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]

Is the British school actually the best that Poland can offer?

I'm not so sure that I'd be happy with my child learning in an environment where the main teaching language is L2 to the vast majority of students.

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


Doesn't matter. I've known some horrific teachers who might have been qualified, but who spent most of their time in the pub rather than thinking about professional development. I certainly wouldn't hire a native who spent all day Sunday in the pub!

I assure you that there are Polish teachers with far more knowledge than 99% of native speakers in Poland.


American university? You won't impress us with that - we all know about how the US system of accreditation works for universities.

The fact that you've worked at most of them rather says something about you rather than the schools.


My thoughts exactly.

Some might very well be dreadful like that Meridan school, but I'm sure there are plenty of private schools out there that give a decent education. Having qualified native speakers isn't the be all and end all, especially if you've had to hire cheaper teachers for other subjects as a result.

Life / Could Poland become an immigrant country? [42]


It must be said, I detect a slight twinge of jealousy in your post.

The only reason that they're coming to Poland is that it's dirt cheap to study and they hand out degrees like sweets.

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


+2

I've had a read of their teacher handbook, and it is a dreadful, dreadful place. Teachers are expected to work up to 40 real hours a week in school - which is ridiculous!

USA, Canada / American family moving to Poland - looking for advice! [44]


Steer clear.

elementary.meridian.edu.pl/index.php?option=com_contact&view=category&catid=12&Itemid=256&lang=en

Many non-native speakers of English there, not worth the money. Even worse, many of their teachers seem to come from countries with stereotypically heavy accents, as well as a school headteacher with no biography.

There are plenty of good schools in Warsaw - no need to consider this one.

UK, Ireland / Bank transfer using Euros from Poland to England, UK [7]

Sure, just transfer to/from a Euro bank account.

History / Poland's Roads in the 17th Century [19]

It's worth pointing out that the roads in the eastern part of Poland in the II RP were still very bad - I found a map somewhere that clearly shows that many of these roads were little better than dirt tracks!

Work / International Schools in Poland - the average high school teacher salary? [11]

Any good school will pay during the summer break because they simply wouldn't get the best teachers otherwise. Yes, there are "international" schools that don't pay during the summer - but these schools are rubbish. As for you only getting a 3x multiplier - they can't have been very good schools if they were only paying that!

And it's quite possible that he can get the same deal. The real problem is that they are quite likely to look down on Asian experience.

Work / Job Conditions and Monthly Expenses for students in Poland [16]

There are no jobs for you in Poland. Poland has a roughly 14% unemployment rate - it doesn't need you.

Anyway, going rate for employment for a non-EU foreigner like you is about 5zl an hour.

Travel / Weekend getaways around Wroclaw? [6]

What about trying Kamienna Gora? It's accessible by train from Wroclaw, it's not particularly known by foreigners and you can hop over to the Czech Republic to buy beer :)

Related: Góry Stołowe near Kudowa Zdroj

From Wroclaw I would like to go to Karlow or Pasterka for a walk in the area of the Table Mountains. Is that area beautiful enough for a day's stay? Is it a realistic plan to drive by car from Wroclaw to that region, walking there and go back in just one day?

I appreciate to hear your opinion.

Work / NO JOBS IN POLAND FOR ENGLISH PEOPLE EXCEPT TEACHING? [44]


Callan? handing out flyers?

Real Estate / Flat in Krakow near Wavel - how much to rent a 100m2 apartment? [11]


Nothing is impossible to find - go to them and make an offer.

But I suspect in this case, first chance is always given to friends and family first.

Travel / Poland Baltic Sea holiday [30]


It's worth a try, but be warned that it will be crowded and you could spend the entire time stuck in your hotel with the rain.


Will you be hiring a car?

Travel / Poland Baltic Sea holiday [30]


Not necessarily. Could be good, could be bad, the Baltic is very unpredictable.

But why the Polish Baltic when you can go to Croatia for the same price and get guaranteed good weather?

Travel / Trip to Kraków for a week or more [4]


Nope. They only go for Latin men these days, not some pasty flabby Polish boy.

UK, Ireland / Best Airport to Land In the UK for a trip to Hull [23]

Aren't Delta quite horrible in terms of service, however?

Travel / House hunting in Poland (something didn't feel right) [16]

They're all listed online - I don't have the link to hand, but you can check it online. No-one would risk pretending to be one - the consequences would be incredibly severe.

As you're the buyer, you have the right to choose one. Don't let the seller dictate to you - as you have to pay the fees to the Notary, then you should certainly shop around. If you haven't done this part, then expect to feel completely ripped off.

UK, Ireland / Best Airport to Land In the UK for a trip to Hull [23]


I'd steer clear of the Leeds connection - getting from Leeds/Bradford Airport to Hull requires a bus to Leeds City Centre and then a train from there.

The other advantage of Hull is that you could do the trip entirely with KLM and get the luggage sent straight through to Humberside. Alliance agreements exist with airlines, but they can't always be trusted.

UK, Ireland / Best Airport to Land In the UK for a trip to Hull [23]


Neither do - both Birmingham International and Manchester Airport require train changes to get to Hull.


If it was me, I'd strongly recommend this route - it will be much easier to change in an airport than to deal with the UK train system, particularly as the UK train system can melt down at times. The other thing is that if they have problems in Schipol, they'll get plenty of help (including if they miss their connection) - whereas a delay into the UK means they could miss their train and so on. If they're prone to getting confused and mixed up, then Schipol will be far friendlier than the UK :)


It's not that bad, but the real problem is transiting London.

UK, Ireland / Best Airport to Land In the UK for a trip to Hull [23]

Agreed, going via Schipol makes far more sense.

History / How I blew a 6 figure grant for my charity because of my appreciation of Polish history... [77]


Source?

I mean, if you're making such a loaded statement, I would expect there to be at least one reliable source on the matter.

Or is it just something that you made up?

Travel / Foreign car in Warsaw - targeted by thieves/vandals? [13]

I wouldn't worry about it - Poles are forever driving GB-plated cars over here, and it's quite normal to see a few around. If it's targetted by thieves, then it'll be because the car is desirable, not because of the plates - although RHD cars can't be registered here anyway.

If the car is worth something, park it in some guarded parking overnight - spaces are cheap to rent.

History / How I blew a 6 figure grant for my charity because of my appreciation of Polish history... [77]


What did he say wrong? He certainly was right - some Polish scum did indeed participate in the killing of Jews.

Perhaps the most sensible answer would have been to agree that such acts should never happen again and that you work to fight racism. Your appreciation of Polish history should tell you that Poles did take part in some events, and that Poland certainly lost some credit in the eyes of the world for her actions then. You could then also point out that Polish-Jewish relations are very warm these days, and perhaps shared a heartwarming story about a Polish family that risked death to protect Jews.

You could also have pointed to the flourishing Jewish scene in Krakow and Wroclaw.


Indeed. Every nation has horrible parts and great parts.

Life / Rising cost of food across the globe. How much is a weekly shop in Poland now in 2013. [53]


I haven't noticed much difference at all. Chicken has sat around 14zl/kg for breasts, basic things like pasta are actually getting cheaper (Tesco, for instance, has excellent brown rice and pasta for 2zl a bag), vegetables are priced seasonally as always - really not much difference.