Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]


Definitely not all of them. Probably not even most of them. Like I said, I have been in several apartments that were retrofitted with in-apartment bathrooms well after construction, with the telltale signs of secondary plumbing installation clearly visible, especially in this block in the middle of Wrocław, where we looked at an apartment when we first moved there:

dolny-slask.org.pl/605652,foto.html

Obviously built as a workers dormitory, it was once a coveted address in Wrocław. I could barely keep myself from puking in the building because of the overpowering smell of cat urine in the stairway. Hard to believe this is only a literal stone's throw from Rondo Postanców Śląskich.

The kitchenettes you speak of were not originally fitted with plumbing as far as I can tell. Nor with refrigerators. There was only a small counterspace with a hotpad. And even then, I don't think the building I mentioned above was even originally fitted with that much. The aneksy I saw were obviously makeshift, and crudely crammed in where they were not intended to be. Now that I think about it, I think they were still not fitted with a water supply or drain.

On the other hand, in Wrocław I lived in an apartment building built for young engineers in the 1970s. Those apartments were fitted with full-sized kitchens and bathroom/toilets with bathtubs. No insulation, though. When I left a year ago, it was still largely fitted with the original inhabitants, as well. At 53, I was one of the younger people in the building.

As for kitchens and bathrooms without windows, I've seen that even in expensive brand-new apartments. My friend bought one in Wrocław. I warned him that the kitchen would be oppressively dark when the building was finished, but he didn't think that was important until he moved in. It was like eating in a tomb.

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]

I lived there 12 years, and yes, I have been in blocks that were built without private bathrooms and kitchens from the 1970s. In Wrocław, Warsaw, Skierniewice and Chojnice. There were still indeed blocks that still had communal bathrooms twelve years ago, and there are still now plenty of apartments that have the dreaded "anneks kuchenny", a tiny corner of the apartment that has been fitted with a tiny makeshift kitchen counter, or with the amazing 1 square meter toilets and 2 square meter bathrooms, likewise installed after 1990 or more recently.

Oh, I see what you are talking about. When I said "without bathrooms", I meant without bathrooms and toilets in the individual apartments, rather than just communal bathrooms and toilets at the end of the hall. Sorry for the ambiguity.

Actually, Poland wasn't unique in this at all. When I studied in Denmark in the late 1980s, I was quite surprised to see apartment buildings without individual bathrooms or toilets both there and in Sweden. I even lived in one myself when I first got there before I found a better place.

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]



Those blocks were built purposely with no bathrooms or kitchens. Plumbing is expensive, and workers were supposed to use communal bathrooms and communal cafeterias. A lot of the bathrooms and kitchens you see in blocks were installed later.


Which means I can't hear neither the original actors nor the lektor.
Actual dubbing is very expensive. The Germans have developed it to an art form, to the point that it is often more enjoyable than watching in the original language because the voices are supplied by professional voice actors.


I have yet to figure out the purpose of the Matura exam, and suspect there is not longer one, and that it's just a vestige of an earlier educational system that has somehow survived despite the fact that it is a very poor indicator of whether the student is prepared to study at university. Had a student that passed the Matura with straight 5's, but was hopelessly prepared to study at university.


I often wondered that myself, whereas eggs are not.

News / Poland have the 3rd best Education System of Europe [49]

Secondary education in Poland is indeed quite good, but for some reasons you didn't list:

1) There is only one school system that is centrally administered and funded. Private secondary schools are a rarity. There is no equivalent of local school boards as they exist in the US.

2) Culturally homogeneous school-age population: there are few ethnic or immigrant communities in Poland, as such as exist are quite small indeed. While Poland as a whole is poorer than the US, there is no large population of severely disadvantaged youth as there is in the US and other developed countries. There are no rich or poor school districts, as there are in the US. The only major problem I am aware of is education of the small Gypsy population, especially females, who drop out of the system at a very young age.

3) Low violent crime rate and low usage of cocaine, the plagues of cities in the US and the West. Cocaine is just too expensive for Poles to afford.

4) Low level of rigid tracking, as it exists in Germany, for example. The "Realschule" has been eliminated, and students are almost all tracked to "Gymnasium" (German, not Polish) and prepared to take the Matura (similar to Abitur). Most students get a pretty decent math background, especially those in the math and sciences profiles.

5) All educational decisions are made by qualified professionals working for the centralized Ministry of Education, and not by parents or unqualified local politicians. Centralized exams make it easier to identify weak schools and correct the problems quickly. Correction is overseen by the central authority, and not by local interests.

6) Lack of anti-science or anti-intellectual religious sentiment as is common in the US. There are no creationists. This is in spite of the fact that the second largest religion in Poland are the Jehova's Witnesses, who have a rabid anti-intellectual and anti-educational streak in the US, but apparently not in Poland.

7) Reading canonical Polish literature is emphasized.

8) Most of the older generation (parents) had received a good secondary education, so they are able to help their progeny. There is not a large underclass of uneducated, trans-generationally disadvantaged illiterate social misfits, drop-outs and outcasts as there is in the United States.

Problems with the system include:

1) Shocking lack of practical laboratory courses in the sciences. I've had students who had never done a single experiment in science class, just watched a demonstration. Funding for this is very, very low.

2) Lack of civil involvement and volunteer programs for young people. This was a big problem for my students who wanted to study in the US, and required a good deal of creativity to solve.

3) Practically no corporate or industry involvement in the educational system.

4) The system is very good for average students, not bad at all for underachievers, but not inspiring for top students, who get little attention and have to fend for themselves.

5) English teaching is carried out as a foreign language, not a second language. While students are expected to read a prodigious amount of literature in Polish, they are not encouraged to read any literature at all in English.

6) Cheating is rampant and not taken as a serious problem, and there are few safeguards against it as there are in the US.

7) Religious education in public schools is a scandalous racket that is fundamentally morally corrupt. It is a great blot on the whole educational system.

8) There is little in the way of aptitude testing or career/academic counseling. Many high school grads end up in worthless university programs because they have not received proper guidance.

9) The curriculum is designed for students to pass the Matura exam, which is only a weak predictor of academic success. Rote learning is emphasized over more holistic approaches that emphasize independence. Good for average students and underachievers, but bad for gifted and ambitious students.

10) Overall, gifted and ambitious students with a broad world-view are overlooked, ignored or even discouraged, either passively or actively.

While most private schools and the best public schools in the US are generally better than Polish schools, the overall average in Poland is higher. Tertiary education is a whole nuther story, though, and is generally inferior in Poland compared to the West.


This is, plain and simple, right wing conservative claptrap. Stop watching the O'Reilly factor and get your facts from more reliable sources. The Polish educational system is much more progressive than you think. Also, the generational cultural gap in Poland is huge in Poland compared to Western countries, with Polish millennials resembling their Western counterparts far more than their elders.


Largely true. But also from the parents perspective in that they will have a bad life unless they have children that earn well. This encourages parents to motivate their children to do well. Not to the degree that you see in Japan or Korea, but more than the average in the West. Also, education is still seen as a way from "escaping" from Poland. Even for young people who decide to stay in Poland, having an education that facilitates finding work in the West is very comforting.

Study / Is it possible for me to just study for 3 months in Poland? [3]


That's probably going to work out only on a "test out" basis for first year required courses, especially something like mathematics. For example, if your program requires you to take pre-calculus, you could take an intensive pre-calc course in Poland and pass the AP exam or the qualification exam at your future university so that you can start studying calculus a year ahead of schedule. A student of mine did exactly this before he started school in the United States, and it helped him a lot.

When you study sciences or engineering, the thing that limits your progress the most is the level of your math. So being a year ahead of your peers in terms of math puts you on a whole different plane of existence and save you heaps of time and trouble.

It might also work for first-year physics and chemistry. But I don't think for very many other courses that don't have such clear criteria, even sciences like biology and geology. In any case, three months is not long enough to learn the material to pass the qualifying exam unless you have done it already and just need a refresher.

So if your math is pretty good and you can get your pre-calc solidly behind you before you transfer, go for it and treat those three months as a review period.

As for getting actual credit for the course, that's probably not going to happen, at least without your future university agreeing to it in advance. Contact them and see if there is anything that can be done. Without pre-approval, chances are next to zero, at least in the US.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]


Which is precisely what this is not about. What is important is that they did so as Peace Corps and VSO volunteers. The programs lend substantial credibility and prestige to what they did. The fact that you effectively did the same thing on your own means little without the official sponsorship and documentation to back it up.

As a matter of fact, that is one of the biggest problems I faced when helping Polish candidates get into American schools: it is very hard to find officially sponsored volunteer programs in Poland that will supply the documentation needed to satisfy an American admissions committee.

Life / London vs Kraków - considering a move [8]


Big mistake. That only works for comparing first-world countries like the ones you mentioned, and breaks down when you compare poorer countries like Poland. You'll find that the cost of living in Poland relative to wages is much higher than in Western Europe.

The thing that is going to hurt the most is how little in terms of absolute dollars you will be able to put away at the end of the month. Your absolute savings potential will be a small fraction of what it would be in the West. If there is going to be a deal breaker, it is precisely that.


Unless you are planning to live there for ten or more years, at least, forget about learning the language. It's not a plug and play language like English where students can use what they learn very quickly. The grammar is perverse, so saying even the simplest things requires abundant mental gymnastics.You would probably leave before you could string simple sentences together. And the language is not very portable. Same goes for Czech or Hungarian.

Study / Which is the best university to study international/european law and international relation in Poland? [29]

Georgetown, LSE, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, Stanford, Yale, ..... about 500 others schools before you hit anything in Poland.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]


Not really. Sometimes, backpacking can arouse more interest if it is off the beaten path (not Europe). I remember sitting on an admissions committee once and being totally amazed by a Chinese student who had spent a year backpacking in Peru and Chile, and working at odd jobs to pay his way. Showed inventiveness and resourcefulness. Also remember a South African applicant who spent a couple of years walking home from China.

But you're right. Backpacking around Europe is unlikely to impress anyone.


Not from the viewpoint of a potential employer or admissions committee, who respect cashiering or waiting as real jobs, but not so with EFL teaching. A lot of employers and academics have a very big soft spot for cashiers, waiters, valets and the like that does not extend to EFL teachers.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]

I don't think teaching EFL is what they had in mind when they said "teaching", unless it were under the auspices of some NGO or charitable organization. Have to agree with Harry here. No one in any academic institution anywhere is going to interpret ESL teaching as anything but "vacation". Sorry, but you got a bum steer there someplace. Putting ESL teaching (except for an NGO or charity) in the same basket as the Peace Corps or an internship at an embassy just leaves me shaking my head in despair.


Take it from someone who does it. Enjoyable is the last word I would use. It's difficult, stressful and frustrating 90% or more of the time. It's the remaining few percent that keeps you going and makes it rewarding. And, my God, is it time consuming. Paperwork, deadlines, more paperwork, more deadlines, ad nauseam. If you want enjoyable, take Harry's advice and go with engineering. Of all the people I have ever met, engineers have by far the highest level of job satisfaction.

Love / Polish girlfriend told me we cant have sex because I'm not religious [40]


Dollars to doughnuts he has at least ten years on her, and probably double that.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]


For most, it is. It makes sense only for a select few. And, like you, those stand out above the hordes of beer-swilling, boob-fondling TEFL backpackers and slackers that litter the streets late at night, at least in Wrocław.

Sorry, to say this, Roger, but it is they who are responsible for the poor reputation of English teachers in Poland. They get noticed. And how. Puking, pi$$ing or passing out in the middle of the street draws lots of attention. So does shouting lewd remarks and obscenities at any passing female. So does showing up in class and being unable to string together a sentence in anything resembling standard English.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]

If you have a different story to tell, Roger, tell it.

In my twelve years in Poland, I met only a handful of English teachers that I would characterize as serious. By far most conformed with CMC's observations.

Love / Polish girlfriend told me we cant have sex because I'm not religious [40]


You can, of course. Just not with each other.

Love / Polish girlfriend told me we cant have sex because I'm not religious [40]

Actually, buddy, she isn't interested in you at all sexually, not a single bit, and there is nothing you can do about it. Get a clue, stop wasting your time and hers, and look for someone else.

My guess is that you have been spending money on her and buying her expensive gifts, which explains the kisses and also why you are frustrated. But you can't buy your way into the Tunnel of Love with this girl, so give it up and move on. Plenty of other fish in the sea.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]

Pretty much spot on, CMC. There are a handful of teachers that do have a clue about business, generally older folks, but by far most of the younger ones I met during my twelve years in Poland meet most of your descriptions. That is, of those few that stayed longer than a year or two.

A lot were also escaping personal or social problems that they couldn't deal with back in the UK or Ireland. Alcoholism is rife among this bunch. In fact, the low price of alcohol can easily be point 6 on your list. For many of them, it's number 1. Much higher than girls.

As far a the "girls" thing goes, if these slackers have a "girl" at all, they are hardly ever anything to write home about. Knew this Irish boy who went out with a serious of "girls", each more hideous and obnoxious than the last. To the point where I told him that any invitation to any of my parties most definitely did not include a "plus one". Apparently, no girl in Ireland would touch him because of his alcoholism and social ineptitude, whereas in Poland he could find girls who were happy to sleep with him as long as he kept supplying them with alcohol. Eventually, the invitations dried up because he would show up drunk and could not comport himself in public, offending other guests. Shame, because he once had potential and still might have had, were it not for his utter dependence on alcohol.

Love / On a date with a Polish guy, but no more approach since then. What does this mean? [11]


Not at all. He may just think that she is uninterested. Erroneously. Or he may have kicked the ball in her court and is waiting for her to kick it back. She loses nothing by picking up the phone herself and calling him, which is exactly what she should do if she is interested.

Love / On a date with a Polish guy, but no more approach since then. What does this mean? [11]

Are your fingers broken? Any reason you can't pick up the phone and call him yourself?

Work / Cost of living in Warsaw with two kids [14]

@Jocelyn: The things that make this an unattractive offer for you are 1) that you are bringing two minor children along who need to be schooled and babysat at considerable expense and inconvenience to you and them; and 2) that you will be able to save up very little indeed at the end of the month in absolute dollars.

The high costs and low savings potential, plus the inconvenience done to your children, basically exclude this job from serious consideration. Like Gość said, better offers exist in richer countries, not only in terms of raw wages, but also in terms of savings potential in absolute dollars. Like Harry said, public school is not a viable option for your second grader.

Work / What website do you use to seek multinational job opportunities in Poland? [7]

All the best jobs are advertised by word of mouth, real face to real face, mostly in-house.

The jobs you see on websites like monster are the table scraps. Table scraps that the dogs already had their chance with. Think of the internet as a vast stinky garbage heap. You have to sort through tons and tons of trash to find a half-eaten candy bar that you can scarf down without puking. You hear talk of finding gold or striking oil, but, as an adult who is too big to believe in silly fairy tales, you know that that just ain't gonna happen.

If you want good job, get out there in the real world and talk to real people face to face. Far more effective than wasting your time on the internet. If the internet has any value, it is for keeping in touch with people you have already met in real life. Oh, and porn, of course!

Travel / Hotel / Hostel in Wroclaw in the city centre - any recomendations? [13]

Hotel Patio is right off the town square, and is very nice. My mom has mobility issues, too, and she was happy staying there when she and my brothers came to visit me. I highly recommend it:

hotelpatio.pl/en

Food / POLISH RECIPES! [287]


Actually, not that far off the mark. See below.


And is, like Polish Szarlotka, undoubtedly borrowed from German cuisine, as are many American foods. Curiously, from Silesia, which is now in Poland, according to this article:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streuselkuchen

Study / Studying in University of Lodz as an Indian student? What's the city like - is it safe here? [56]


My pleasure, and best of luck!

Work / Possibly changing jobs in Lodz - higher salary [19]


Look at the OP. Trapped in a dead end, low paying job in a distant country with no real hope for advancement if he doesn't get some salable qualifications. Staying in that dead-end job without seriously beefing up his salable qualifications would indeed be career suicide. Just enough comfort to lull him into complacency. He'll end up working in a lousy call center for measly peanuts forty years from now, or worse. All the worse if he has plans to get married or start a family.

As for getting serious and salable qualifications, Poland is most likely not the best place for that, especially if he does not know Polish, which he probably doesn't, at least not to the level that he would be able to get serious education at. It would almost certainly be much easier for him to do that in Brazil, where he enjoys the home court advantage, and probably the support of family and friends.

Work / Possibly changing jobs in Lodz - higher salary [19]


I see nothing wrong in pointing out that Poland is rarely the best choice, and usually not a good choice at all, for foreigners interested in serious education, career advancement, and earning potential (actually, savings potential is the more important factor).

Usually, there is something blatantly wrong with their information, assumptions and/or logic. So how is pointing out that they are in danger of committing career suicide being an "a$$hole"? Sound commendable to me.

Study / Studying in University of Lodz as an Indian student? What's the city like - is it safe here? [56]


It might be your favorite subject now, but you are going to hate it when you are flipping burgers or stocking supermarket shelves for less than starvation wages. And your spouse and kids will hate it even more.

Take a year and do the math courses necessary to be able to apply to engineering school. Bachelors degrees in humanities are generally worthless unless they come from excellent schools, and no schools in Poland are on that level.

In fact, nothing you've said indicates in any way that Poland is a good choice for you. Quite the contrary. You haven't thought this out and you haven't done your research, and it's going to come back and hurt you someday. You really need to talk to an experienced and realistic career/academic councilor, and not the kind that tells you what you want to hear.

Work / Possibly changing jobs in Lodz - higher salary [19]

You completely evaded my questions, which makes me think you aren't asking yourself the right questions. Think long and hard about what you are doing. I can't see how it makes any sense career-wise or future-wise to stay in Poland for so little money and no realistic hope of advancement.

If you don't have serious skills or qualifications you can sell on the job market, focus on getting them ASAP. Working in a call center is not considered valuable experience.

Study / Studying in University of Lodz as an Indian student? What's the city like - is it safe here? [56]

I highly doubt that £ódź, or anywhere in Poland, is the best option open to you. If you think so, you have just failed to do your research properly.

Studying in Poland may actually turn out to be more expensive than studying in the US or UK because there are no scholarships or other financial aid available in Poland, nor will you be able to find a job to help you pay for your studies or stay.

And if you are concerned about not being a burden on your family, don't study something useless like climatology or geography. An undergraduate degree in those fields won't help you get a job. Get a serious engineering degree and then specialize in a related field for your masters.

Don't forget: Math is money, so if your math is not good enough to get into an engineering school now, hit the books and bring it up to snuff.

Work / Possibly changing jobs in Lodz - higher salary [19]

What's the point of staying in Poland? You should be looking for a higher paying job all the time. Instead, it looks like you are stuck in a trap. Do you have any salable skills or qualifications? If not, concentrate on getting some. Might be worth returning to Brazil to do so if you can rely on family and friends there.

Study / Studying in University of Lodz as an Indian student? What's the city like - is it safe here? [56]

I lived 12 years in Poland, and visited £ódź frequently. I also studied in the US, the UK, Germany and Denmark.