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Well, there remains just about a week before I leave the US, returning in June. I am very ready and excited.
Clothes and items are packed or stored, and the honey-do list is about done. As an academic, I must admit I am taking more books than I am shirts and pants. Occupational hazard.
The Gdansk University (GUoT) administration is back from their August holidays, so details on my job are trickling in.
It appears that I will be teaching an undergraduate and a graduate section of Strategy Management as well as a section of Statistics. Classes begin on Oct 1st.
This is basically what I would be teaching at Rockhurst, had I been there this term. That said, Rockhurst has started classes without me for the first time in nine years. I can't believe they pulled it off. So much for my ego.
As soon as I get my official class schedule- we can start to think about scheduling some long-weekend trips. Although most people think about traveling through Europe on a train- several deep-discounted airlines have entered Europe. They are offering incredible deals. We can fly to Frankfurt Germany for $30 a person (round trip) and to Glascow Scotland for $70 a person. One of the new airlines is called Wizz- I can't wait to fly on Wizz!
Our plan is to travel outside of Poland about once a month- then within Poland a couple of times a month. We will also enroll the entire family in Polish language class. I know the words for beer (piwo), coffee (kawa) and toilet (toaleta), so I am set; but will go anyway. Hopefully that pesky job and Fulbright scholar work won't get in the way of my fun and travel!
The travel is just not a luxury, but a must. If all 6 of us spent 10 months in our 1200 sq foot apartment, we could create a nasty crime scene.
Sadly, I will miss our little family events for a few weeks (as they do not leave until the end of Sept). Last weekend I saw Natalie's soccer game, and today I watched Ben's high school football scrimmage. These will be the last time I see of them in sports for the season.
Back to the final preps and more reading....
Well, I said this blog would be a little slow until I actually started my trip, and it has.
Keep in mind I have been planning this trip since last October.
I have three weeks before I leave (the 8th). The family does not leave until the 27th. The kids start school this week. They will actually get in most of their first quarter before they leave.
Rockhurst U is also going to start classes Wednesday, without me. So I am officially on sabbatical until NEXT August from Rockhurst. Lisa seems to think sabbatical is Latin for "honey-do".
I suggested I leave for Poland early- however, I cannot repeat Lisa's response on this family-friendly blog. Needless-to-say, I am here until the 8th.
My main activity (other than the small house projects) has been reading. I probably read 4-5 hours a day. I am reading everything I can get my hands on regarding Poland, Polish history and Polish current events. I hope that a strong grasp of the aforementioned, somehow might make up for my lack of language skills. I am probably getting through a book every couple of days. My Polish history is getting about as good as my American History. (even though Poland has been around for about a 1000 years longer). And the first thing you learn, is that for those 1000 years, either Russia or Germany/Prussia has been annoying them. I could bore you with lots of other fascinating stuff I have learned (which really is fascinating)- but I won't (maybe in future entries).
I double checked with our real estate agent- all is in place. I will get off the plane on the 9th, and her office is located right by our new rental house. I just have to sign some papers, pay some money- then should be off to sleep in the new home that same night.
I am getting very little information from my Polish colleagues (either at the Fulbright office nor at the University). As you know- Europeans basically take the entire month of August off (just like our Congress). So, very little is getting done or sent to me.
I know we have an orientation in Warsaw on the 16th, and then another in Poznan which goes through the 25th. Then I start teaching on October 1st. I am REALLY fuzzy on the teaching part. I believe I am teaching an undergrad section of Strategy Management as well as an MBA section of it. That is about the extent of what I know. I hope that once everyone returns from holiday, I can get some more details.
Unlike the US system- where we plan the following semester months in advance (I basically already know what I am teaching when I return to Rockhurst in the Fall of 2010)- it seems the Polish System runs a bit slower when it comes to details. So, I wait.
I have been planning some research topics however. As with most of my former research- it will mostly involve Health Care or Beer.
I do look forward in these last few weeks to seeing my kids play in a few games. Ben will start Aquinas football, Natalie in soccer and Abbie dancing and Trey starting full day school. One of my first tasks in Poland will be to find them equivalent activities to participate in.
With that, back to reading, honey-dos and waiting.
When I teach International Business, I always spend a few lectures on the trials and tribulations of foreign exchange rates. Granted, not the most exciting topic and students' eyes glaze over; as it seems to be a very "academic" discussion.
Well, I am in the middle of living this lecture- and it has not been fun.
Poland's currency is called the Zloty (they are not allowed to adopt the Euro until at least 2012). Well, the Zloty has been getting strong and the US Dollar has been getting weak. As I get paid in US Dollars (a fixed salary), but all of our expenses (rent, food, transportation, etc) are all paid in Zlotys- this is a dangerous mixture these days.
Since I was awarded my Fulbright in April- the Zloty has increased 21% on the Dollar (and is still on the rise). This means that everything I will purchase in Poland on my US salary- just got 21% more expensive. An example- since the time I found my apartment to today- the monthly rent I will have to pay has gone up by $146 (just due to the exchange rate).
I have one of two choices- ride it out and hope it falls again (but easily I could lose more ground and money) OR go out and buy a fist full of Zlotys now (we would call that hedging).
Great case study for my students when I return- but it really sucks to experience it.
MPG
