Any advice to help with my move to Gdansk/Gdynia in March 09?

Hey Everyone,

Im planning on moving to Gdańsk/Gdynia sometime in March 09. I am waiting to hear about a job offer, but whatever the outcome.... I intend on moving.

I have a couple of Polish friends in Gdańsk but really want to find out and do as much for myself as I can... I only have a few words of Polish and I am learning slowing through internet...i plan on taking polish classes when I move.... can anyone recommend a good school?

I am so done with Ireland! I know it will be hard going but I love a challenge.... cant wait to move. Any advice on what I can do before I move... just so I can be as prepared as possible.

So great to have found this forum, have come across lots of useful advice.... cheers guys :)

Hi,
Welcome (in advance) to Trojmiasto.
Can we ask what the job is?
Living here will be 'different' but the locals seem to have a similar sense of humour to the Irish (what part of Ireland are you coming over from?)
/cjj

Hey moonlight,

Moved to Gdynia from Manchester 8 months ago. Was quite an easy transaction. Any form of teaching qual you can get before you come will help alot, if not maybe volunteer to teach english at your local community centre. Good for the practice and also good on your cv.

The funny thing is, I have only found one polish teacher since being here. Yet a english school is on every corner, not quite worked that out, lol.

You will love Gdynia/Gdansk. In the summer its great! Hope it all goes well for you and feel free to message me if you have any questions.

The job is with a multi national company called Thompsonreuters, have you heard of it? I am also doing a TEFL course, just to keep my options option.

Cjj I am moving from Longford, the midlands, are you Irish?..... and Griff I was born in Manchester and visit there regularly... Withington....what part are you from?

Yes, I've heard of ThomsonReuters. In Gdynia, yes?
I'm originally from Enniskillen ...
/cjj

yes in Gdynia.... Enniskillen - nice place... eveyone going shopping there now because of prices down here. so where do you work? Do you teach? Why did you decide to move? ok i know im being very nosey :) just nice to chat to someone like minded.... a lot of my friends think im mad to go....

My husband is Polish so the rest just happened (eventually).

I'm a software team leader so no teaching for me...
/cjj

thats great :)

Oh, you're not mad to go. It's mad not to consider moving to a different country for a while, if only for the experience.

Anyway, what you need.

Most important thing - make sure you've got the European health care card. It's pretty important, because it'll mean avoiding any hassle if (touch wood!) you need any health care while here.

Obviously, make sure that your passport doesn't run out anytime soon.

Errm..will you have accomodation sorted for you? If so, that'll make life much easier - but if not, I'm sure, even in Gdansk, it won't be hard to sort out

Make sure that you've got the means to get back to Ireland quickly if needs be - I've heard some horror stories of people being stuck in Poland without any support network, and it's just wise to be able to go to the airport and 'go home' without any notice.

Hmm...Polish is a nightmare to learn ;)

Ack, if you have any questions, feel free to ask...I'm no good at telling people what to bring, I came here on the spur of the moment :P

hey moonlight!

omg, i cant believe another person coming to Reuters, lol. Gdynia is packed with Reuters ppl. I've been here for more than a year, and all the time surrounded by Reuters ppl.

Gdynia/Gdansk is beautiful in summer, lucky u don't have to fight with the winter here...errrr...

message me if u have any questions. i would love to be of any help.

thinks thats the way to do it :) thanks for your help, good advice.

Hey Rocjovi,
Havn't got the job yet but I am thinking positive :) Where do you work?
I will be over for 10 days in January, I know its going to be very very cold :/

cold? it's not cold! it's only 0c outside and it's pouring down rain!

We've had freezing fog since yesterday and it shows no sign of clearing up today .
It's minus 1 C just now

rain, well that's what im used to :) It has been freezing here, but its a beautiful morning, frost everywhere and the sun is shining (for a change).

I work in a local construction company dealing with procurement. 10 days in January? checking out the place? Let me know if you'd like to meet up and grab a beer. I will be in China end of January, but we'll see.

Oh btw, about a good Polish school, Reuters has this language exchange program among the employees. Volunteers set up courses of their native languages and give lessons during lunch break. There's Polish course, as I remembered.

yeah that would great :) i ll be there from 10th - 20th January so hopefully we get to grab a beer :))

lunch time courses sounds perfect... i ll keep my fingers crossed,

Sun? what's the sun? I haven't seen it in weeks..

Actually, that's a complete lie. It was warm enough to stroll around Stary Rynek yesterday wearing only a t-shirt, jumper and a thick jacket. And the sun was shining.