Travel / Travel Agencies in Warsaw, Poland specializing in Maldives / Bali / Thailand vacations [9]

@Harry

No I haven't yet but will look at it right now. Thanks so much!

@inPolska

Great. Sounds like something I will look into as well. :-)

Travel / Travel Agencies in Warsaw, Poland specializing in Maldives / Bali / Thailand vacations [9]

@inPolska

Yes it makes sense as Germans travel to far-away "exotic" destinations quite often so due to high demand there should be a larger supply of such travel agencies there. I have done some searches on this yesterday, and will draw up a list as there were a couple of international agencies from the UK, India that also came up in the search. Actually based on Expedia searches, there are flights departing from Warsaw airport, and headed to Maldives but as you mentioned, its best to do some comparison searches. I've never traveled through a travel agency before as my most current holiday to Jamaica in May was through Expedia (we were living in Toronto so its typical to book Caribbean vacations online, mainly due to the abundance of packages being offered on the various web portals). I don't believe that's the case here though - I have only noticed Expedia.

Anyway thanks again and have a good one!

Best

Travel / Travel Agencies in Warsaw, Poland specializing in Maldives / Bali / Thailand vacations [9]

@TheOther

Thanks for the added advice. It appears that Thomas Cook has some great deals for some of the resorts in Maldives so I am checking them out. I also came across TUI which has a a handful of Maldives packages too. :-)

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

Merged: Which job market skill-sets are in dire shortage in Warsaw?

Hi there!

I was just wondering what sectors (if any) of the job market are experiencing a hard time sourcing qualifiedprofessionals from the local market? I am specifically referring to Warsaw. I am expecting areas of the IT field to be included in the list, seeing the continual growth and advancement in this sector worldwide . Perhaps there are others?

Thanks!

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@AmgryPole @Delphiandomine

Thanks for responding. I actually just had a meeting with an Exec from an IT Recruitment company and Warsaw, and he mentioned that it is indeed a candidate's market for IT related jobs here.

Classifieds / Are there are any Czechs in Warsaw? [7]

@Ziemowit

Ano, naordila jsem se v Brne a mam tam rodinu. :-)

Yip I am Czech, born in Brno prior we immigrated to Joburg, South Africa where I pretty much spent 16 years. I was in Toronto for the past 4 years before coming to Warsaw temporarilly.

Yes I also think Czechs avoid Poland. Both my childhood friends (who are Czech) and my old czech colleagues at Infosys in Brno, did not think too "positively" of the Polish people - I am not sure why?

Anyway I was back in Brno visiting my family and some old colleagues back in October, and when I told them (well my Czech friend), that I was quite suprised at how Warsaw was developed and that the differences between the both countries seem minimal, well her reaction was something along the lines of..."Oh yeah but Poland is still much poorer than Czech".

Anyways with all these Czech speaking postings, I am wondering who they are finding to fill these jobs? And I am not referring to plain CSR type roles - also Accoutning type roles.

Classifieds / Are there are any Czechs in Warsaw? [7]

@RUR

You'll be surprised how many Czechs I know that actually dont drink beer. :-) Anyway I find many Czech beers which are just wonderful in taste and in my opinion it is the best beer in the world. I have been all over so I can really compare. German beer is a close second (in my opinion).

@delphiandomine

Interesting view points that you make. You are righ about Prague and Brno continually improving and changing since 2004 - although you must remember there is alot of Russian money in Prague (and Karlovy Vary for that matter). In fact its quite sad at just how much Prague had changed and in a way its just becoming sold out to more and more to foreigners. It is a pity that Prague actually relies more on foreign capital than its own, in order to keep on improving. You are correct with respect to the political nonsense - I used to follow it very closely when I was living and working there in 2009 - 2011. However the Czech economy is doing better although there was a dip in the last couple of quarters but foreign investment and capital has always been on the increase, so.

Lastly, I do think the infrastructure is better in Czech (particularly the roads and highways which are continually being improved) but then again it is a much smaller country than Poland. Plus the metro in Prague is the cleanest that I have seen in Europe (and compare to may other Western European capital cities).

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@JanekP

Well the Ukrainian IT market is the largest one in Central and Eastern Europe (with over 5000 Developers working in perm roles there), and it is a known fact that Ukrainian developers are highly competent. In fact they are sourced spcifically by many high-tech companies in Canada and the States (I know this as I was working in his industry for 4 years in Toronto). You'll be surprised just how many Ukrainian progarmmers are brought over via the immigration route which takes a couple of months by the way.

Therefore I would not be surprised if Polish tech companies are sourcing them too. (Please note I am not saying that Polish developers are not competent).

Food / I thought Polish beer couldn't compete, but I was wrong [20]

@RUR

I only drink Kozel here in Warsaw (both lager and the dark one) but they are available at only few convenience stores. I just refuse to drink Polish beer - sorry :-)

Otherwise in Czech I prefer beer from smaller breweries like Pegas in Brno (prob my favourite out of all), otherwise Staropramen, Gambrinus are good options too :-)

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@AngryPole,

I hear you with repsect to the salaries Ukranian developers are earning in Kiev, Krakov and other big IT hubs over there. I know for a fact that even attracting mid-level hard-core Ukranian programmers to Canada is a mission at times, as most positions over there (whether its in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary) pay the same or even less than what these chaps are earning currently in Ukraine. The norm is for these guys to earn between 4 - 5 000 USD per month and this is after tax.

@AngryPole

What was I thinking - sorry I meant Kharkiv, not Krakov. Also Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa are other IT hubs :-)

Work / Whats the job and school market like in Warsaw? [27]

@JanekP

Yes, I remember meeting a programmer (from London) who was working for GameLoft in Toronto, and he explained to me the whole situation with the salaries in London, particularly in video gaming sector, and he was much better off in Toronto.

What about Amsterdam? The tech sector doesnt pay too well in France too I reckon

@AngryPole

I think the tech sector in Ukraine is a bit different, in that the Government does not tax heavily the employers, thus giving them more space to reward their hard-earned employees with better pay. As you prob know the IT sector is quite significant to their economy situation over there, with quite a number of players over there. I was just as surprised to come across major non-Canadian tech companies who outsource their entire back dveelopment to Ukraine (and Belarus), in addition to tech type companies. I beieve the video gaming industry may be different though - salaries are lower.

Yip 25k Gross is definitely very comfortable for Warsaw. That would be Executive-level pay in major foreign corporations, perhaps?

Food / I thought Polish beer couldn't compete, but I was wrong [20]

@RUR


I know :-) Imagine sitting on a rooftop bar / lounge close to the Castle in Prague overlooking the Vltava river and Chalres bridge below, whilst sipping on a fresh draught of beer. There is just no city that comes close to Prague - in terms of its raw beauty (thats my opinion) and fairy-tale like charm.

@Harry

Oh pelase do tell where they serve Kozel in Warsaw. I would love to try some great new places with good beer. We have been to the Beirut Hummus Beirut bar and I am aware they do have some great craft beers there.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

I know plus I left a really decent position which had such potential for very good $$$ comng into this year( which I wouldnt even make back in Czech Rep) - this is what I regret the most seeing that money is very important to me .I 've been studying the wages in London and I am not too impressed.

I find Toronto is a great spot for travelling to the States and the Caribbean. It may not have the best architecture and most modern subway system, but there is just something about the city...

I think I would be a fool to risk loosing my PR.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Thanks for yuor post. You are correct in the sense that I don't have any feelings towards Poland, nor Czech Rep to be honest. I was livng and working in Czech for 2,5 years prior I moved to Toronto where I lived for 4 years. I consider myself lucky to have received the PR since I went there on a Working Holiday VISA (open work permit).

What pulls me towards London is the South Africans who are there. I have a couple of friends there back from Joburg.

However what is great about Toronto - is the close proximity to the States + Caribbean (which I want to continuously travel to since my last holiday to Jamaica 7 months ago).

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Please excuse my spelling mistakes - the keyboard of my laptop is quite slippery.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@NocyMrok

Its funny - my ex boss from the company in Czech Rep sent me an email asking me that they have openings at her new company where she is working, and whether or not I was interested in attending the interviews.

When I left Czech Rep in 2011, I stated to myself I will never return there to live - to visit my family for short periods of time - that is different. Dont get me wrong, I had some good times when living there, going to the chateaus, visiting wineries etc.

@Crow

That may be true. Its funny as I met a couple of Slavs in Toronto (from Kazakhastan, Ukraine especially) whose young children felt more Canadian than their actual parents' nationalities.

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

Thank you all for your opinions. I highly appreciate it.

To respond:


Yes Luxembourg seems lovely, and the close proximity of it to Paris (just a 2 hour drive away) is a bonus.


Thats what I was told by many in Toronto.


I have to do my research on this topic, but you may be correct. From what I have heard, in order to renew the PR one has to prove 4 years of paid Taxes (in Canada) as one requirement.


Yes, and in this case I would have to return for an additional 3 years in order to be elligible to apply for Canadian citizenship (as they have changed the requirements not too long ago from 3 to 4 years

@Jon357

Yes Luxembourg may be expensive, but it generally has higher salaries + the close proximity to Paris is an ideal bonus for me. I am not too concerned about the weather.

As you mention - Perm immigration to Canada has been completely changed starting Jan 2015, whereby the Express Entry was initiated. This is a point-based system, and allows the governemnt to choose applicants based on jobs which cannot be filled by Canadians. This is a similar system which Australia has been using for a number of years now.

@InPolska

Thanks for your input.

I have been in contact with some companies there - French is highly desirable, and required in many but not all positions.

Classifieds / Looking for video game testers in Poland [9]

@QLOC

Hi Piotr,

Sounds interesting. I am a native South African english speaker and I'm in Warsaw (recently came from Toronto). I know EIDOS - Square Enix in Montreal quite well, seeing that I placed a couple of Snr Graphic / C++ Programmers with them.

I will prep my resume and send it over shortly.

Thank you,
Sarka

Life / Would you move back to Canada if you had Canadian PR or remain in Poland (and risk loosing your Canadian PR)? [30]

@InPolska


Exactly and thats what I like - diversity, plus the close proximity to Paris which is my favourite city - especially for shopping and the Arts.


Just like in Canada - very accepting and open-minded.

Classifieds / Self addressed mailing labels (English) can be purchased where in Warsaw? [4]

@jon357

Great - I looked on their online shop but didn't see it there. Best to go there in person and look as you have said.

@InPolska

I beieve the Embassy will be closed now, but we will go back to the main post office and look around there.

Many thanks for the reponse!

Food / Any places which sell fruit smoothies in Warsaw? [3]

@jon357

Awesome will check it out! Merci!

USA, Canada / Leaving Poland. How can I adapt in the US having no family or friends in this country? [13]

@Anoilka

You'll be fine. I made the move to Toronto all alone in 2011, and it was all fine. But then again I am fluent in English and having lived in another commnwealth country, I hardly noticed the differences besides the many skyrises in Toronto.

Life / Hairdressers prices and salons in Warsaw? [6]

Merged: Any recommmendations for great women's hairsalon in Warsaw?

Hey,

I went to a great professional hair salon - U Fryzjerów Andersa - for a haircut, like 2 weeks ago, but at that that time I wasn't sure about doing colour. Anyway great result as this is a truly top notch hair salon (beautiful too with high ceilings and wooden floors). Anyway now that I need the colour - I don't feel like paying the price there, as it obviously would have made sense price wise to do both cut + haircolour at the same time.

Can anyone recommend from experience any similar professional hair salons, which also use top notch products but are priced around the 200 - 250 mark for hair colour instead the 300+ mark?

Thanks!
Sarka