Well it's here, People said it would happen and now for 100%, I'm experiencing the so called '18 month itch' (admittedly I’m experiencing it slightly late)…Just over 22 months ago I set up my new life as an English teacher in Poland and I'm beginning to think seriously about other long term teaching destinations. Most of my days I now spend counting down the hours until I go to Ukraine for the summer, I'm hopeful that maybe this short sabbatical will rejuvenate my passion for Wrocław.
The city has started to get a bit 'grating' over the past few weeks. The hot weather only emphasizes the fact that Wrocław (outside of the Rynek), is not the cleanest city in the world. The dust and pollution mean my eyes feel drier than two balls of Paluszki and I swear the public transport system gets worse by the day.
I think a big part of the problem is that I now know Wrocław like the back of my hand and I can also now communicate in Polish meaning the sense of adventure has begun to evaporate.
On the other hand, I know I should be really grateful to be here. I always said I would be proud of myself if I could last six months abroad and I'm now adamant about not returning to England. I can speak a little foreign language now which is something I could never dream of in England and Wrocław is the perfect location to satisfy and nurture my interest in Eastern Europe. And as for English teaching... I love it - I have passion for my job and I think I'm an ok teacher.
So what am I doing to cure this itch? Like I said, a big break in another country for one thing, alongside learning Ukrainian and Russian to complement that. Another fantastic aspect of being an English teacher in Wrocław is the fact that it's incredibly easy to find competent and experienced language partners for language swaps. I know the internet means that in theory, I could easily find Russian or Ukrainian partners from my computer in Stoke or Birmingham but it's not the same as sitting down, face to face, over coffee - speaking.
I have three Ukrainian teachers - two of them taught me online and Ukrainian Teacher 'N' even managed to get me to start reading Ukrainian in those funny characters. Ukrainian Teacher 'S' this week managed to keep me talking in Ukrainian for an entire 20 minutes over coffee on Plac Solny in Wrocław. I'm also very happy that my excellent Polish and German teacher has returned from working in Brussels because I can now find time to study those languages as well. But it's this combination of learning and teaching languages that's helping to keep a little sense of adventure in my days here.
With Ukraine less than one month away, I'm now thinking of where to go next summer. The idea of spending winter in Poland and summer in a new place is one that has been rolling around my brain for the past few months. I just wonder how many years I can keep it up for!
I have many ideas about where to teach next summer, but at the moment I have no clear idea exactly, so to help I've added a new poll to the blog :)
And finally, any others had similar 'itchy', 'restless' problems after a year in one place?
Hmm, I hadn't heard of the 18-month itch before. I was itching to leave Korea about a week after I got here, but the place has grown on me.
ReplyDeleteI totally encourage learning Russian - such a beautiful language! As a matter of fact ... er ... have you ever thought about teaching English in Russia?
After reading your description of Wrocław, perhaps yiu shouldn't vist Łódź as you would die of disgust :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Wrocłąw in April I walked to and from the centre and my hotel (2.5 km each way) and was amazed at the cleanliness and beauty of the place compared to Łódź.
In terms of itch, I guess I felt that before moving, (perhaps that was a motivation for moving) but after seven years I still have a lot to learn about Poland and I guess having a house and job etc has settled me down a bit. Guess I'm getting old...
That's so funny! Don't come to the US then, the public transportation system is a joke, as far as I have ever experienced it.
ReplyDeleteI want nothing more than to move back to Wroclaw after spending most of my life away from there. Want to trade? lol
Btw, my family calls that 18 month itch your "gypsy blood" calling. And I understand it well.
What about outisde-Europe destinations? (if challenge's needed). I like the way you go through the life. I am even impressed. Good luck in Ukraine! ;)
ReplyDelete@Eve - yes, I would love to teach in Russia but I'm thinking maybe Kalingrad in contrast to 'mainland' Russia :)
ReplyDelete@Jeremy - Have you always lived near Łódz?
@PMotP - I strangely really like the idea of having 'Gyspy blood' - it explains a lot :)
ReplyDelete@Linda - I have thought about outside Europe but to be honest, there are so much to Europe in such a small place that I don't really feel ready to move outside Europe yet :) Maybe in a few years or so :)
@Tefl, yes since moving to Poland in 2004 we have lived in the same house in a small village about 60km west of Lodz.
ReplyDelete