Questions about Lublin

jamesb:

Actually, I'm not part of the 'The Shoe Maker Pub Crew',but it seems to me that you have something against people who are older than yourself.A person who can only make these kind of comments on the Internet tells me everything I need to know about you.

stevenmyerThreads: 3 Posts: 2 Joined: Feb 17, 09	May 7, 09, 23:01 / #
Hello everyone, My girlfriend and I might by making a move to Lublin and I was wondering some things about it. How is the mass transportation? Are there a lot of bike paths? Is it difficult to find work as an English teacher? What are the best schools to work at and what is the average price per teaching hour to charge? What are the people like? What is the night life like? How is the arts culture there? Are there many foreigners living there? What is the overall pace of the city? Do the people seem like they are in a rush all the time or more laid back? Are there any good horse stables in our near the city? If you can answer any of these questions I would be really glad. I think (other than seeing for yourself) is asking others about something.

esekThreads: 5 Posts: 269 Joined: Jun 3, 08	May 8, 09, 00:03 / #
stevenmyer: How is the mass transportation? It's ok... well, maybe it's not warsaw, but.... night communication is crap (most probably - only taxi it's an option if you're gonna party at night) stevenmyer: Are there a lot of bike paths? Some... but there are many very nice places around Lublin (countryside) where you can ride + a few lakes. stevenmyer: What is the night life like? There are discos, pubs, clubs full of young people..... but generally, Lublin sleep at night ;) stevenmyer: Are there many foreigners living there? No stevenmyer: Do the people seem like they are in a rush all the time or more laid back? Rush... hard to say. Some people do rush, other live slowly ;) Compared to Warsaw life is much slower there. stevenmyer: Are there any good horse stables in our near the city? lkj.lublin.pl/

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,159 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	May 8, 09, 14:21 / #
esek: stevenmyer: Are there many foreigners living there? No Wrong... there are quite a few who meet up in pubs at the weekend and every Language School has its native English, Spanish and so on speakers, once you are there for a few weeks you will find you cannot avoid them. stevenmyer: Is it difficult to find work as an English teacher? No it's quite easy, although when I first started there many years ago it was easier. There are many fly-by-night teachers nowadays who go there for six months and then leave and they drive the price down because being a native English teacher is not so exclusive nowadays. stevenmyer: What are the best schools to work at and what is the average price per teaching hour to charge? At the last count there were 82 Language Schools of some description and most long-term natives tend to control the best Schools and leave the worst ones to the newbies, which is only right as we have family's here and we live here permanently. Your best bet is to go to Lublin in early summer around June, as the schools are closing for summer and speak to them and try to find a job for September or November. As to Zl per hour, you shouldn't work for anything less than 40zl per hour, experienced natives will be earning 50-70zl per hour. stevenmyer: What are the people like? What a strange one.... People are like the way you treat them, and as Lublin is a University City with a massive student base for nine months of the year, it has quite a young outlook on many aspects of City life... a lot better than some of the other City's around Poland I would say. Lublin is a great City and you will have a good life there, although many other City's around Poland snobbishly look down on it because of it's location close to the Ukraine border and call it Poland 'B', which is quite farcical really.

HarryThreads: 59 Posts: 7,968 Joined: May 2, 07	May 8, 09, 14:47 / #
ukpolska: Lublin is a great City and you will have a good life there, although many other City's around Poland snobbishly look down on it because of it's location close to the Ukraine border and call it Poland 'B', which is quite farcical really. If I could convince my boss to let me do my job from Lublin, I would move to Lublin from Warsaw: the place is cracking!

esekThreads: 5 Posts: 269 Joined: Jun 3, 08	May 8, 09, 14:51 / #
ukpolska: Wrong... there are quite a few who meet up in pubs at the weekend and every Language School has its native English, Spanish and so on speakers, once you are there for a few weeks you will find you cannot avoid them. Ok, I was looking (a few years ago) some native English people aged ~18-22 for language exchange so it's a different story. Only Medical University in Lublin could attract them to live in Lublin. I didn't managed to find one, but on the other hand I was looking only through internet.

carlbThreads: 6 Posts: 24 Joined: Aug 8, 07	May 8, 09, 20:42 / #
esek: stevenmyer: How is the mass transportation? It's ok... well, maybe it's not warsaw, but.... night communication is crap (most probably - only taxi it's an option if you're gonna party at night) There are night buses, which from my experience are safe and efficient. esek: stevenmyer: What is the night life like? There are discos, pubs, clubs full of young people..... but generally, Lublin sleep at night ;) Lublin has a huge number of students and I would say that the nightlife is generally good. There's plenty of pubs/bars/clubs etc. And best of all they are all relatively cheap (compared to in Britain anyway). stevenmyer: How is the arts culture there? I think that Lublin is quite cultural but on a local and national level. You won't find many international renowned bands/shows/exhibitions etc but you will find a steady stream of local talent which can be just as good . I've seen some really amazing bands and alternative films in the local culture houses. stevenmyer: What are the people like? Generally, two arms/legs but of course, you sometimes find exceptions;-)

stevenmyerThreads: 3 Posts: 2 Joined: Feb 17, 09	May 10, 09, 10:01 / #
Thanks everyone about the information. I think the hardest part is going to be changing jobs from where I'm at. I am well aware that many schools close in June so it is in my best interest to find work before this happens. ukpolska: There are many fly-by-night teachers nowadays who go there for six months and then leave and they drive the price down because being a native English teacher is not so exclusive nowadays. I know what you mean. We have the same thing going on here. Many native speakers seem to come and go with the wind. But I have this sneaking fear that slowly it will be harder and harder to have good work as an English teacher in Poland. On the other hand I think that it will be quite some time before it is impossible. I also, believe that so as long as you are a good certified teacher with experience there will always be something. I have come to realize that even if people have a really good understanding of the language if they don't practice it on a day to day basis people tend to forget a lot. So until Poland's official language is changed to English (which I don't see happening any time soon) there should always be some work. What does everyone else think? Thanks again for the help.

TheDaleThreads: 1 Posts: 7 Joined: Feb 17, 09	May 10, 09, 12:53 / #
How is the mass transportation? -buses are never on time so ignore the schedule! They come eventually.... Are there a lot of bike paths? -LSM has a GREAT bike path that I think runs out to the lake, although I've been told not to swim in it. Is it difficult to find work as an English teacher? -I am one although I have heard it's a bit tough. What are the best schools to work at and what is the average price per teaching hour to charge? What are the people like? -There are 5 Uni's in Lublin so TONS of students. It's GREAT! What is the night life like? -Good times. Posh clubs, dive bars and all sorts of places to get a good hang-over!! How is the arts culture there? -According to my students it's a happening place for arts and culture with all the students around. Are there many foreigners living there? -Yes, ME! There's a bottling company that is UK run so you can find some of the workers camped out in pubs around town. Plus, the Medical Uni is full of American students. What is the overall pace of the city? Do the people seem like they are in a rush all the time or more laid back? -Depends on where you are. The traffic is a lot heavier than it was 2 years ago. Are there any good horse stables in our near the city? -The Golf course out past Swidnek has stables. I have no idea if they are private or rentable. Hope I helped. I personally LOVE Lublin.

carlbThreads: 6 Posts: 24 Joined: Aug 8, 07	May 10, 09, 14:50 / #
TheDale: -buses are never on time so ignore the schedule! They come eventually.... Sorry but i'd have to disagree with you. I catch buses everyday and more often than not they are always on time. I can think of only a few instances when the bus hasn't turned up or was late. I'd agree with all your other points though:-)

mark007Threads: 1 Posts: 74 Joined: Jan 19, 09	May 12, 09, 11:50 / #
Hej czesc! hope the move works out for you! there are plenty of schools, just get your CV in order and prepare a ready made lesson plan (1 hour) and you should be fine, try and avoid profi-lingua (cowboys), other than that I have seen some Americans and Aussies but only 1 or 2 English. Night life is cool and there is a reasonable range of musical tastes, although sadly lacking in left-field funk/broken beats (but I live in hope!). Prices are cheaper than say Warsaw or Krakow, but they do seem to be rising!! ULWAG LAMAGA! If you want to learn polish try and avoid hanging out with natives all the time. Restaurants are reasonable for what you would earn as a native speaker, buses (I agree with carlb) do show up on time and night buses gather in the main centre and disperses to the burbs! Come with a smile and wszysko bendze dobze! pa pa marky marecki (dj wwrecklass)

freebirdThreads: 3 Posts: 638 Joined: Jun 8, 07	Edited by: freebird May 13, 09, 12:54 / #
ukpolska: dragon LOL, it sounds like you're talking about Andrzejewska school, right? She's a freaking dragon, lol U Szewca Irish Pub in Old Town then you probably know Dave (English guy in his 50') he's always there on the weekend. mark007: Do you guys only meet at the weekends, what about during the week? during the week the "native speakers" meet at the "Alternatywa" in the Chopina Str.

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,159 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	May 13, 09, 13:33 / #
Dave Poyton yes I know him and have known him for eight years TBH I wish I didn't, he is a sad old fart that stands in a nightclub lurching over women. freebird: LOL, it sounds like you're talking about Andrzejewska school, right? She's a freaking dragon, lol Nope

freebirdThreads: 3 Posts: 638 Joined: Jun 8, 07	Edited by: freebird May 13, 09, 18:22 / #
carlb: Really? I never knew that. I've been there quite a few times but have never heard an English voice well, this is what it used to be back in 2004 at least, all I can say ukpolska: Dave Poyton yes I know him and have known him for eight years TBH I wish I didn't, he is a sad old fart that stands in a nightclub lurching over women. yes, he's chasing young women like hell, probably the only reason for him to live in Poland :-) mark007: What about the week days, weekends I'm in Leczna with my girlfriend, but Monday - friday I'm around Lublin! basically those two days are the only ones worth coming to Lublin and mainly to the Irish Pub the rest ain't that great but you better pay by delivery at "U Szewca" we got shitted quite a few times over there

red_devilThreads: 1 Posts: 40 Joined: Jun 12, 09	Jun 19, 09, 15:21 / #
ukpolska: Dave Poyton yes I know him and have known him for eight years TBH I wish I didn't, he is a sad old fart that stands in a nightclub lurching over women. Actually, I've known David for several years now and he is one of the nicest guys you can meet. He'll go out of his way to help you and never has a bad word to say about anybody. I wonder if you would call David those names to his face? Hmmm, I doubt it. Instead you pathetically right insults about him on an internet forum. How sad.

TheDaleThreads: 1 Posts: 7 Joined: Feb 17, 09	May 12, 09, 17:53 / #
Man, what part of town do you live? I'm near LSM and the 3 buses that get me to work and Plaza are NEVER on time. I was very proud of myself for getting to know my bus routes and would hustle to get to the shelter to just wait and worry I missed my bus. A few of my students feel my pain, so maybe it just depends on the route and the line....

freebirdThreads: 3 Posts: 638 Joined: Jun 8, 07	Edited by: freebird May 12, 09, 18:07 / #
stevenmyer: Is it difficult to find work as an English teacher? not really but you gotta watch yourself, some of them don't like to pay. You might be running behind your money. Don't work for British School in Lublin!!! Transportation is OK during the day but not late at night. stevenmyer: What are the best schools to work at and what is the average price per teaching hour to charge? What are the people like? They don't pay really much, it's between 35-55zl/h. The highest pay I had was in Krasnik (about 45min. away from Lublin). The schools name was Signum but the management wasn't very professional, lol. They paid me 50zl. in Swidnik (some little school I forgot the name of it). Don't work for anyone in Siedlce either. If you need more info, give me a buzz. Have a good 1

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,159 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	May 12, 09, 20:09 / #
Hey if you speak very nicely to carlb he might be able to get you in the school where he works, I worked there for three years and its cool. The director is a bit of a dragon but you can easily handle her. And Carl, I will be down in U Szewca Irish Pub in Old Town at the end of the month for a session if you fancy a meet? Bring two Polish colleagues for a sample of 'Old Speckled Hen' and other English brews for a night. I think they have 'Bishops Finger' there as well.

carlbThreads: 6 Posts: 24 Joined: Aug 8, 07	May 13, 09, 10:48 / #
Sounds good ukpolska, I'm always eager to replenish my English ale palette! Let me know your plans nearer the time. I also have a polish teaching colleague who is a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to fine English beer! SteveM - If you are interested, my school will almost certainly be recruiting another native speaker for the next school year. If you let me know your situation/intentions, I could speak to my dragon, err I mean angel saint of a director! TheDale: the 3 buses that get me to work and Plaza are NEVER on time Well, compared to English buses, polish ones run like clockwork! Do you use trolleybuses? These tend to be on time more often

mark007Threads: 1 Posts: 74 Joined: Jan 19, 09	May 13, 09, 12:07 / #
Do you guys only meet at the weekends, what about during the week? I have polish friends but it would be nice to get some English chat now and again from Brits!

carlbThreads: 6 Posts: 24 Joined: Aug 8, 07	May 13, 09, 13:09 / #
freebird: during the week the "native speakers" meet at the "Alternatywa" in the Chopina Str. Really? I never knew that. I've been there quite a few times but have never heard an English voice. freebird: you probably know Dave (English guy in his 50') he's always there on the weekend. I know him. In fact It seems that everybody in Lublin knows him.

mark007Threads: 1 Posts: 74 Joined: Jan 19, 09	May 13, 09, 13:54 / #
What about the week days, weekends I'm in Leczna with my girlfriend, but Monday - friday I'm around Lublin!

jamesbThreads: - Posts: 8 Joined: Jun 20, 09	Jun 20, 09, 15:18 / #
Yes Red Devil, I totally agree with you.I can honestly say that Mr Poynton's a real genuine friend of mine who would never have a bad word to say about anybody.

TheDaleThreads: 1 Posts: 7 Joined: Feb 17, 09	Jun 20, 09, 22:59 / #
Carlb- 'eh. Trolley buses seem to be out of my way. There are only 4 buses off my street and the other stops are far enough away that I may as well just walk the extra distance and save my 2 zlotys. I've cracked the schedule though. When I'm getting around and I get that 1st instinct to go to the bus regardless of the schedule, I go. Seems to work. If I tell myself I have 9 minutes before I need to walk out the door, I miss my bus. I must not get out much, because the only other native in Lublin I have met worked at my school.

red_devilThreads: 1 Posts: 40 Joined: Jun 12, 09	Jun 21, 09, 13:12 / #
jamesb: Yes Red Devil, I totally agree with you.I can honestly say that Mr Poynton's a real genuine friend of mine who would never have a bad word to say about anybody. Absolutely jamesb. And the fact that ukpolska hasn't replied shows that he must also agree with us. ;)

NKJO	Jun 24, 09, 22:19 / #
By the way Mr Poynton is my lecturer and i think he is a very nice guy.

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,159 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	Jun 25, 09, 13:32 / #
red_devil: Absolutely jamesb. And the fact that ukpolska hasn't replied shows that he must also agree with us. ;) Here we go the boring Saturday night Shoemaker Pub crew, and I would absolutely say it to his face if I ever had the misfortune to be in the same room as him. He maybe a "nice guy for the chaps" - but that still doesn't take away the fact that he is an old letch.

jamesbThreads: - Posts: 8 Joined: Jun 20, 09	Jul 1, 09, 18:01 / #
Actually, I'm not part of the 'The Shoe Maker Pub Crew',but it seems to me that you have something against people who are older than yourself.A person who can only make these kind of comments on the Internet tells me everything I need to know about you.

ukpolskaThreads: 51 Posts: 2,159 Joined: Oct 23, 06 MEMBER	Jul 1, 09, 19:42 / #
jamesb: Actually, I'm not part of the 'The Shoe Maker Pub Crew',but it seems to me that you have something against people who are older than yourself.A person who can only make these kind of comments on the Internet tells me everything I need to know about you. Believe me there are not many older than myself lol It's just I don't like these self opinionated twats sitting in there on a Saturday night recounting, "when I was in UK", "it was never like this in the UK", putting Polish people down left right and centre.... and yes I do know what I am talking about as I have had to sit through all of the vile that comes out of their mouths, until I made an excuse to leave. First and last time I ever did that thank god!!!

jamesbThreads: - Posts: 8 Joined: Jun 20, 09	Jul 2, 09, 10:15 / #
Well,first of all I would have to agree that there are a few people unfortunately that do put Poland down in a bad way which annoys me also,but it still doesn't change the fact that you have to make insulting comments to someone who like me really enjoys and is proud to be living in Poland.

red_devilThreads: 1 Posts: 40 Joined: Jun 12, 09	Jul 2, 09, 17:45 / #
Private message sent to me from UKPOLSKA: 'You're the sad one my friend knowing nothing about Poland and basing yourself in Lublin with the same old sad British crowd who do nothing but complain about how things are so much better in the UK and never truly immerse yourself into Polish life here. You even admit that you have been to a Polish village twice, in your alleged seven years of being here.... that is just plain pathetic. The only good thing about you is that you serve as the perfect example of why I left my home in the UK and moved here 12 years ago. Have a good weekend... I myself am going to spend it at a Polish village wedding of a good friend of mine. :)' Okay, so now we can have this conversation out in the open. I honestly don't know what you're talking about and I don't think you do either. I think Poland is a wonderful country and that is exactly why I am moving back to Lublin permanently after spending a year in England. I have many Polish friends who I think of as practically family and I cannot stand it when people slag Poland off and yet stay in the country. Believe me, I've met these kind of people and David is not one of them and neither am I. And who's 'self-opinionated'? You seem to think of yourself as better than me in someway due to the fact that you visit Polish villages regularly. Well, good on you, son! Do you want a medal? You seem to also think that you know me - that I don't know anything about Poland, I slag Poland off and I spend my time with The Shoemaker Crew, whoever they are. Sorry, pal, wrong on all counts there. So you would call David a lech to his face, would you? Well, you know the way to Lublin from Pulawy and I look forward to seeing you meet David and tell him that. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. :)