Just about to move to Gdynia - Help!

Hello,

Firstly, Let me introduce myself: My name is Katie (Kasia in poland, hence the screen name..) and im 20. My somewhat older Polish boyfriend has moved back to his home town of Gdynia and very soon i will be following. Its all a bit sudden but im sure i have to move, i cant live without him and so i have no choice but to go!

Im just starting to panic a bit, iv only been there once for a week, recently, and it was lovely but i dont know anyone but his friends and family, dont know where to start looking for an english teaching job and dont feel like i know enough about the area. If anyone can give me some info it would be much appreciated.

Thank you
a slightly rattled Kasia
x

Kasia, only 20 years old? I suggest you visit again (only visit), and do so in November or February (really miserable time everywhere), think long and hard what you would be giving up. Is he worth it? There is plenty fish in the sea...

Tell him to find something...

Yes, many of my polish friends think im a bit mental for going but both him and I cant stay apart but for many reasons he cant stay here any more. Iv been warned about the snow and cold etc, last week when i was there it was nothing but beautiful!
We have both had a look for teaching jobs for me but Its more difficult from here, so i might have to wait until im there.

Thanks for the replies,
if any of you know english folk who would want to meet up out there it would be much appreciated.
x

Looking for an English teaching job? They're available but it's slim pickings until next fall. I can't give you any advice because I don't know your qualifications. Care to share? Most of the better schools want a university degree and a CELTA or some other tefl equivalent. Go to eslcafe.com and search through the Poland forum. You'll learn a lot.

BTW, I'm in Gdansk. True, last week was beautiful but it's raining today so naturally I got up at 8 and walked through the Old Town for an hour. Winter was long, gray and wet, but not that cold. -0C a few times. It's the Baltic wind that makes it more than a little nippy. Very little snow but from late October until sometime in March I didn't see any blue skies and even less sun. We had more snow in March than during all the previous months combined, and even that small amount only lasted a couple of days. I'm from Southern California but it didn't bother me. I'm guessing you're from the UK. I think Mika's advice was sound-visit when the weather's not so pretty and see what you think.

Gdynia's a nice place but I much prefer Gdansk. Frankly, I think moving anywhere for a bf/gf is destined for failure, especially at your age. If that's your choice though, I wish you nothing but good luck. I know a few Brits here, mostly in Gdansk and they're a lot older than you are but I'm sure you'll meet some no matter where you are.

If I can help, let me know. When are you coming to Poland?

these schools have been looking for teachers in the tricity over the past couple of weeks - some of them are based in warszawa but are looking for teachers in the 3M

thetower.com.pl
michal.wozniak@twr.edu.pl

mobile-english.pl
biuro.trojmiasto@mobile-english.pl
Elżbieta Wojech - 606 661 718

akademia.gda.pl
biuro@akademia.gda.pl

lexis.edu.pl
email: lexis@lexis.edu.pl
22 625 53 86

lang.com.pl
metodyka@lang.com.pl

Thank you for the responces,

Lots of helpful information indeed! I agree that moving because my boyfriend is there doesnt appear to be the best reason but i cant really help myself, i cant stay here without him.

I'll be in London for another month i, would say, while i get a TEFL qualification, i dont have a degree or anything, I didnt go to university but i wansnt planning to teach in a shool for children, more a language school, or private tuition etc. Iv already spoken with one language school in Gdynia and they said they would like me as they dont often find native speakers.

thanks for the links Bubbawoo, ill send them to my other half for translation purposes.

kasia
x

Go for it. You can always find a job in Poland. Although you did not mention if you've been through school, and what level. As far as teaching English, you can put an ad in a newspaper to be a tutor. That's what I would do if I were you. Good Luck.

In terms of quality of life Gdynia, and whole Tricity area is best in Poland. You have the sea, nice hills, forests, and a big city with almost the lowest unemployment rate in Poland (under 3%).

So true. You'll love trojmiasto. If you like seafood, go to the pier, turn right and walk abou 500m until you get to Barracuda. Good restaurant.

Thanks! Yeah i went to the Barracuda last visit but we just went in for a beer on a nice day, but next time ill definatly eat.

Atlantic; i have 6 GCSE's and im just now qualifying in TEFL so that i can teach English as a foreign language once i get over there, Its just something i may aswel try out, if it doesnt work out i can fall back on my cooking as im also a trained chef (once my polish is alot better!) unfortunatly i dont have a degree or anything but im also lucky that my boyfriend and his brother are very well known in the area (i hesitate at using the word 'infamous') and know everyone so i'v been assured that they will be able to find me something good. In that respect im very lucky.

Thanks to all!

Hmmmm. Your bf and his brother are "infamous"? What kind of crime are they into? Or maybe they're politicians. Same thing. Joke.

haha. Na there good boys really, they've just always lived in the same place, been to the local junior school, then highschool then college, lived and worked there all there 30+ years so everyone knows who they are. for the good things and the bad....

tra lala

ok to be honest i know nothing about Gdynia, however what i do know is that flapping helps nobody, if your panicing about all these different issues and not thinking them through properly you may make incorrect decisions. THe best thing to do is let your boyfiend go home first, then on your own think about what your doing, the sacrifices your making and the major changes that will happen in your life.

Your 20 years of age, moving to a new city, country etc etc is a massive thing. I don't know much about your relationship, is it going to go the distance??? i don't mean to put a dampner on it but if you move, its a big commitment and your going their for the long haul.

Whatever help and advice you can get from your friends and family will be vital, ow and also the people on PF too :):):). I hope i don't sound like i'm trying to be your dad, think things through clearly and make sure the decisions you are making are in yours and your boyfriends long term best interests. If everything feels right and you think your ready for the move then go for it!! :)

I wish you all the best

T

I agree with Mika and Tornado. Moving to a different country only because of love is a kind of risk, unless u r sure you too will love each other for ever.

But, i am in kind of the similar situation with you. My fiance is working in Gdynia. So i will visit Gdynia this summer. My visit will last over one month.

If you are there this summer, maybe i can meet u, and maybe we can shop together..... chat....and discuss about the problems we may meet.

p.s. My name is Sophie

crossing the street is a risk as well, as you may never come home. Risk is part of life.

Good luck Kasia.

Ha.....yeah, right~~~~

Life is full of risks. We should learn to deal with the risks~~~

Billions of Poles move to the UK every year and most of them survive...

Hello,
Thanks for all the words of advice, support and concern. My thoughts about the 'risk factor' are this:

I dont actualy concider it a massive decision atall, its just a 2 hour flight away so if i need to get home for any reason i can fly back at the drop of a hat. Im only young so god forbid if id didnt work out i can just come home and do whatever i like back here in London. But if i did come back without him i would have gained teaching experiance and learned a new language so its win win really.
However at the moment i just cant wait to be back with him (for the record he feels the same!) so i will just go out and see what happens!

My parents just tell me to do what makes me happy, and at the moment, this is it!

X

KatieKasia - In which district of Gdynia will you live in? I'm from Gdynia, so I'm curious and I could tell you if it is bad or good district.

heya,
Our flat isnt particualy in a district i dont think, its right in the town centre, about a 5 minute walk from the boulevard. seems quite nice i think....

So it's śródmieście (downtown). Thanks.

yes its a word i struggle with, is it the same as the word for 'high street' or 'main road' what is it again? if you could write it phoneticly it would be fantastic!

Hmm, I don't understand you :) And I can't write it phoneticaly because i don't know how to do it :(