End of the Semester

Today is the last day of finals and of the fall/winter semester. It began in October without me- and I have been doing catch-up for the past month.

Traditionally, University begins October 1st and ends the third week of January, with about 10 days for finals. Then the students gets a week of holiday. Then something called “second finals” (which I still really don’t quite get). Second finals is different from anything we do in our country. In Poland, a large percentage of your total course score is the final exam. However, if you fail it- you can have a chance to take it a second time. If you fail it the second time- you fail the entire course.

The Spring/summer term then begins February 14th.

Anyway, my classes and finals ended today. I crammed in three classes into a span of one month. So instead of the students going once or twice a week for a hour or so- they were with me everyday for several hours to complete all the required contact hours. It made for long days for me.

I finished up two of my three classes last week and did their grades. Then the last one finished today. All three were master’s classes (two statistics classes and one strategy). Today was the last day of my second statistics class. At the end of class the group surprised me with a very good bottle of Vodka.

Dr. G and the female grad students

And with the male grad students (Vodka in hand)

In addition, I had the opportunity again to speak to a group of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who are getting a certificate in administration. Last weekend, I spent two days talking to them about the US health care system and how it compared to others systems of the world. Also, we discussed what are these reforms and reforms to the reforms about. They found the US system interesting. They all agree Poland needs to dramatically change their system- but not sure that the US is the best model to adapt (but they did like some aspects about it). I said this last year- you never realize how crazily organized our US health care system is until you have to explain it to a foreigner.

Polish students ask me about American students and vice versa. As with last year- I find the Polish students quite strong in general. In the US we don’t really talk much about the labor competition coming from the former Soviet bloc- as we tend to focus on China and India (with good reason). However, one thing about the Soviets- they put in place a rather strong educational system that is just getting stronger by these countries who adopted Capitalism 20 years ago (think engineer level math thinkers who can also market and strategize). They are strong analytical thinkers.

Also, as I mentioned in a blog last year- young University aged Poles (in their early to mid 20s) really have no concept of Communism. Those are stories that grandmother tells. A University student today was either born during or after the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union collapsed- so they only really know a capitalist system (albeit a transitioning one). In addition, they are much more open to the world and tend to self identify themselves as “Europeans” (citizens of the EU) than strictly Poles. These skills and that mindset will go a long way with putting them on the world map.

Now Poland has a ways to go in its development (poor infrastructure is a really major issue in my opinion for Poland to grow). But I look forward to see that these students can do on the world stage in the coming years. This is one of the reasons I enjoy coming back.

I have two days left in Poland before returning home to the great white north of KC. During my remaining time I have some grading to do, some more friends to see and a bit of shopping left.

Torun

Although I have now lived in Poland for about a year cumulative, there are still many places I have yet to see. Poland is a great country that has the Baltic Sea on one end of the country, and high mountains on the other. It has officially been a country since 966.

About 2 hours south of Gdansk (between Gdansk and Warsaw) is a medieval city called Torun. Every time I hear “medieval city”, I get all history horny and have to go. Torun is probably most famous for being the birthplace of Copernicus (the guy who showed the earth revolved around the sun, not the other way around. The Catholic church was none too please with him).

Torun was also untouched my WWII (a rarity) so all of its medieval buildings are original. Torun is a place I really wanted to visit last year. That said, this is not really a place that my family would enjoy. After the third medieval city we went to (and we went to several)- they seemed to think all 1,000 year old buildings look alike.  So in deference to them- we did not make this trip last year.

I took the 3 hour train ride down on a Friday and had stayed at nice little 20 room hotel (the Petite Flower) right in the middle of Old Town. Torun has grown up over the years, the Old Town is still surrounded by the medieval fortification walls. But then new town has grown up on the outside. Great contrast of 700 year old buildings on the inside and modern 20 story office buildings on the outside of the walls.

The Petite Flower Hotel is the building in pink

                                                     
I arrived about noon and spotted a coffee shop right across the street, called Kona. I thought that was a little odd as Kona is a coffee term we associate with Hawaii. I went inside to get something and began my rather poor attempt at ordering in Polish. The gentleman at the counter (probably late 30s), immediately recognized me as an English speaker- and started speaking English. Now this is not overly odd. I get that all the time if the other person knows English. However, instead of speaking a European second language English (called Euro speak)- he broke out in perfect American English.

I quickly asked where he was from- he said born and raised in Boston. How fun. He said he met a Polish girl (it is still politically correct to refer to women as “girls” over here). She did not care for the US and wanted to return home. She must have been quite a girl- as he followed her to Poland (and now is his wife). Anyway, he opened an Island themed coffee house. Over the next couple of days I stopped in a couple of times just to chat and compare an American in Poland notes.

Kona Coast Cafe

I toured the house (now a museum) where Copernicus was born. Walked the streets to see all the old buildings and walls. I went to the old Cathedral that was built in the 1240s. Copernicus was baptized there in 1473. And Pope John Paul II said Mass their twice in the 90s. I also went to Mass there on Sunday. It was rather cold that morning and 13th Century churches do not have heat. The holy water (inside) was frozen solid.

Had a great french dinner (yes, a french restaurant, eaten by an American, in a Polish city, across from a Pacific island themed coffee house).

Woke up the next day and walked through several other of the old museums and buildings.

After getting in about 24 hours of good medieval history- I got back on the train and left for Gdansk.

Now for the slide show.

Copernicus House (now a museum)

St. John Torun Cathedral (built 1240)

Where Copernicus was baptized in 1473

At Cathedral- Kneeler and Chair used by JPII during his two masses

Statue of JPII in front

The leaning tower (and old guard house on the fortification walls)

Entrance to the old town

Fortification walls of old town

Town Center in the City Square

Is this one ass or two? You decide.

Me and Copernicus

Me and Copernicus in City Square

Bomba

Heard the best story when I was with our former landlord and current friend’s house the Draniewicz’s.

Last year our family lived in a house which the Draniewicz’s built on the end of their property.

70 years ago, that same property was the end of a German military airbase. This then became a commercial airbase until the early 1970s. So, you still see remnants of the old airport. In fact our neighborhood grocery store was made from a converted hanger.

During the process of building our house a couple of years ago, they were digging at the end of their property. A large WWII bomb (bomba in Polish) was found right near the corner where our house gate was located. It had probably been buried there for 70 years.

Once it was uncovered, Mariuez and Charles (our former landlord and friends) were observing. Mariuez who spent many years in the Polish military knew exactly what it was. His son Charles told me it was about 4 feet long- the type a plane would drop.

The Draniewicz’s then called the police who came out. Here was the funny part. The police looked at the bomba, and put yellow police tape around it. Then said the bomb squad would be out in 3 days to get it. Then left….

Keep in mind, this is now a large open hole with a 70 year old, four foot bomb sitting in it. It is no further than 20 yards from theirs and other people’s houses. But at least it had police tape...

Mariuez scared for not only his house and family- but any poor SOB who walked by, fell in and maybe detonated the bomb- started to call people he knew at the police station. He could not get the bomb squad there any quicker than 3 days- but they finally did bring over a patrol to watch the hole until the squad arrived.

It was on the news and Marieuz still had it recorded. They showed the hole, our former house (under construction) and the bomba in the ground- Marieuz was interviewed.

Charles also told me when they were putting in the new Amber Soccer Stadium- they found three old bombs buried there (I am sure they are still buried all over the country).

Mickey D's

Of course, McDonald’s is everywhere on the planet. I don’t think I have been anywhere in the world where there was not one within a mile or so.

Also, all McDonald’s look basically alike. Same fixtures, same hard plastic table and molded chairs. Ronald’s face is everywhere. Only the language of the signs are different. Otherwise once in a McDonald’s you would not know if you were in Kansas City, Australia or Poland. All very clean and friendly people. They all even have wi-fi and serve McDonald’s lattes.

The other thing about McDonald’s are the first several items on their menu are the same. Big Mac comes first, Quarter Pounder, etc. etc, even Happy Meal with a toy.

Although I am not a big fan of McDonald’s (or fast food)- no matter where I go in world I always walk into the local one. What interests me are the items at the bottom of the menu. These are usually specific to a country’s taste. In Denmark they had lots of different fish sandwiches at the bottom. In Hungary they had a pork patty sandwich. So, I am always on the look out for what different items a local McDonald’s has on their menu.

I have one here in my neighborhood. In fact, this is where Ben spent his 15th birthday last Oct (2009).

McDonald’s words are a universal language. Although each sandwich has its translated name (recall the scene in Pulp Fiction)- a Big Mac is a Big Mac everywhere.

I love going into the Polish McDonald’s. People go up to the counter and do their food order. Swish, swish, swish (that is what much of the Polish language sounds like in the my head)- swish, swish, swish, Big Mac, swish, swish, swish. And out comes a number 1.

But as I said each country has some of their own items. So, today I went into our local McDonald’s and found a new sandwich (I even ate one). It is called the Kanapka Zbojnicka (or swish, swish, swish).

Now the Kanapka Zbojnicka is an interesting McDonald’s offering.

You get a quarter pound burger, white provolone cheese, a thick hash brown potato patty, bacon, honey mustard sauce: all on a sun dried tomato and cheddar bun.

Not a bad sandwich. I did not even look at the fat or calorie content as this was international research.

But McDonald’s is not alone. Just next door is a new sign. “Starbucks coming soon”.

Vacation????

By now you all know my basic gig here in Poland. I teach about 4 weeks in January and another 3 weeks May, to complete some intensive sessions.

On Monday I learned that part of my contract (which I did not read as it was in Polish)- is that I also get vacation time for this. Huh? Actually, I get 26 days worth of it. What?

I was presented with a piece of paper from our secretary (who speaks no English), and she was translated through another colleague. She was explaining to me the 26 days and inquiring when was I planning on taking them.

First, I said- don’t worry about it- I really don’t want them or can use them. That was met with a frown. I apparently can’t refuse vacation and have to take the days. But my contract says I also have to teach all these days while I am here. A conundrum! Required vacation and required work at the same time.

In addition, I am suppose to turn into the University my plan for exactly when I was going to take each vacation day (write it down vacation day by vacation day).

I said, I can’t take vacation- I teach every day, then go home in Februrary. She said “I know”.

I also noticed on the paper that my vacation time is broken into parts of the school year. 8 days were for vacation in 2010 and 18 days were for 2011. As it is now January of 2011, I asked about the 2010 days. She said “yes, I was now late with my vacation and needed to hurry and take them”. Huh? But I teach every day and can’t take vacation- “I know", she said.

So we thought about it and quickly, and determined I would take my vacation days when I wasn’t working there (I guess that somewhat makes sense). So, I put on the form I would take vacation from March 1 to March 26 (after I am long gone)- done!

The form came back to me and (through a translator) I found out my form was rejected since March 1-26 also included Saturdays and Sundays in them- and I can’t count those for vacation. Cripes! I needed to list 26 school day vacation days, when I wasn't here (I guess that kinda makes sense).

So I wrote in the five weeks from March into April where I counted 26 school days as vacation. Done!

My form was rejected again and returned. It was explained you cannot take all your vacation in a single block of time. Ok I said, but I am not here anyway. “I know”. Still rejected.

Each time we went through this they had to rip up the form and print me a new one. So, at this point I am on my 4th vacation form- which I can’t take or need- but I have to have it written down.

I finally got all the rules down. You will be happy to know I am officially on Polish vacation from March 1st to 9th AND then again on April 4th-26th. Form was now approved and all administrators happy.

True story.

More International Teaching

As I mentioned in my last blog, I am back in Gdansk at the same University (Politechnika Gdanska) teaching for about a month http://www.zie.pg.gda.pl/. This was arranged as I was leaving last June. We agreed I would come back twice (January and May) to teach some classes over a short period of time.

A couple of differences this year- I am also teaching full time at Rockhurst and Fulbright is no longer paying me. This is truly a visiting professor gig. I even have a new title profesor wizytujący (Visiting Professor). You can see my faculty page- http://www.zie.pg.gda.pl/spis-pracownikow (I think you have to click on “G” and then my name).

This works out pretty well with Rockhurst’s schedule, as European Universities begin their fall terms in Oct and end in very late January. Then the spring term starts in February and ends at the end of July. Rockhurst’s terms end the first or second week of December and then the second term ends the first or second week of May. So in each case, I have about a month or so to do these things.

Scheduling is also tough- as my wife continues to remind me, we have children. There is that Christmas thing and we have two birthdays in January (Abbie and Trey’s). I missed Abbie’s birthday last year- as I was in Barcelona. I will likely miss it again next year- as I will be in Barcelona again (I will write about what we are doing in Barcelona at some other time). Anyway, Abbie was quite clear that this year I was to be home and pay my due homage to her birthday. Of course, who can say no to Abbie.

So, as I might have come to Gdansk right after New Years- I stayed until after Abbie’s birthday on the 7th. We went to her school for lunch. Took her to dinner. Gave her presents and otherwise had the world revolve around her. Then the next day, Saturday afternoon the 8th, I jumped on a plane for Poland.

Getting to Gdansk is straight forward- but long. It is 5,000 miles from door to door. You first go to Chicago, then get on a Polish airline (LOT) to the capital city of Warsaw (who would have thought a Polish airline would fly in and out of Chicago...). Then you go through EU customs, and hop a short flight north to Gdansk. About 15 hours of traveling and a 7 hour time change (we are in the Central European Time zone, CET, same as France, Germany, etc).

As noted, my friend Charles picked me up at the airport and took me to my new flat. Add travel time and time zone change- It was now Sunday afternoon.

I was scheduled to start teaching the next day.

Now, Politechnika basically has me teach the same classes I do in the States. I teach Strategy Management, Statistics, and International Business. A rather odd combination of classes- but that is me. The only other class that I teach in the States, but NOT at Politechnika is Managerial Economics. I don’t teach Managerial Economics (probably my real speciality) in Gdansk, as there are 26 other economists on faculty. So, they need me to teach those other classes.

This term, they asked if I would teach three classes over a one month period. Two sections of Statistics II and one section of Strategy. All semester long classes, crammed into 4 weeks.

So, my classes run back to back Monday, Tuesday and Wed from 3pm until 9pm. Then on Thursdays, I start at 8:15am and go until 9pm, with a couple hour break in the afternoon. In Poland, it is not unusual for students to have classes starting at 7:15am or going until 10:00pm. They truly go all day.

A typical day- I teach a group Strategy for a few hours, then they leave and 15 minutes later another group comes in for Statistics II, then they leave and third group comes in for Statistics II again. Rinse and repeat each day.

Long days, I get home about 10pm. But then I do not have to be back on campus until about 1:30 the next afternoons.

My classes are still very international in demographics. About half of my students are Polish. However, I also have Portuguese, French, Spanish, Chinese and I think a German. All are Master’s students. Of course, all classes are taught in English. At this level- the young Polish students are very, very fluent in English. Sometimes my slang or phrases throws them off however. I used the term “rule of thumb” in class- and no one had heard of that. So, I have to watch my phrases.

So that is my teaching week. But it is not all work and no play. Next posts will be on some of the fun stuff I get to do.

Did I ever leave?

Happy 2011! Yes, I am back in Poland again. Lisa has been bugging me to open my Poland blog again for this trip. I had not planned to- as I figured everyone had enough last year. After a several days she convinced me the world would be a better place with my adventures put to writing.

Now that I a committed blogger- I will backtrack a little.

I returned Gdansk Poland last Sunday, to same University that I left six months ago.

For those that knew I was going- I was usually asked the same questions. Here is my FAQ.

So, the first question- why am I back?

Well a few reasons. First, (other than the weather) I really liked it here. I liked the people, my friends, the students (well, most of them), and the program.

Secondly, I have a really long break for Christmas at Rockhurst- six weeks off (not to be confused with the week I get off in October, week off in March and then the entire summer). College faculty are said to work 24/7- that is 24 hours a week, 7 months a year. Now, while that sounds like a gift from God- I look for other challenges during my down time. To me- teaching overseas is the best of everything you can get. Someone pays you to travel all over the world. Lastly, the University in Poland has a need for someone to teach in my discipline in English.

So, before I left last June- we began discussing possibilities of returning for this academic year. Now my barrier was this full time (sort of) job I have at Rockhurst. Rockhurst is very flexible, but they do expect me to show up now and then. There are only two times during the year where 1) I am NOT teaching at Rockhurst AND 2) The the University in Gdansk IS teaching- that is January and May.

As mentioned, Rockhurst is quite flexible with international work. There are about three or four of us business professors who like to do University experiences overseas. Both our Dean and Chair believes this also adds to our credibility at Rockhurst (we really sold them on that one!).

Anyway- it seems to work out with timing.

For the next question- Did Lisa and the kids come with me? Short answer- Hell No! (that is not my hell no either). Lisa loved her trip and experience last year- and it is a gift we truly gave to our children. That said, I have strict rules not to ask her to leave the country again for 15 years. For some reason the trip was a lot of work for her.... I don’t get women! You pack a bag in the morning, and you leave for several weeks or months. What’s the big deal?

Then- How long am I staying this time? Well, about a month. I will be back the first week of February.

Next question- I am staying at the same place? No. We had lived in a rather large house (for Polish standards) and although I loved the house, I did not need the big space (although some days it was really small with the six of us living in it). But more importantly, our landlords (and friends) would not take our suggestion and turn the house into a Gartland museum once we left. Instead they rented it to someone else. So, I now have a flat (I love that word) near the University that is owned by our MBA Director (more on the flat in another post- just so I can use the word again).

What is it like to be back in Poland? Well- in many ways it feels as I did not leave. My friend Charles picked me up at the airport (he also took me to the airport when Ieft last June). I still had my European cell phone (that worked), my Gdansk tram/bus pass (that worked), my ATM card for my local Gdansk bank (that worked), even my minimal Polish language came back (although still minimal).

I arrived at the University on the first day, just expecting to work out of some corner or in the library (since I was only going to be here for a few weeks). But no, they had my office from last year set back up. My name was on the door. Even my same coffee cup from last year had been cleaned and placed back on my desk. The secretary had hung a new 2011 calendar for me and placed a marker on the correct date of my arrival.

I saw my University friends and exchanged hugs.

Then I went down to the University cafe and saw the same worker who always waited on me. She said, “you’re back”, “I guess you want an Americano” (the drink I ordered every day last year).

I guess word had spread I was back. Within 1 hour, two students were at my office door wanting to complain about the grade I had given them last year.

Finally, the thing that made me feel most welcome. About 2 months ago, I got several Rockhurst shirts that we give to either students, faculty or as promotional items. I sent my University friends in Gdansk a box of them. On my first day- everyone wore their Rockhurst shirt (even the Dean and Vice Deans).

Here are pictures of a few friends.

So that is the story of my arrival and first day. I have a few more posts to create to catch up.

If you received this by email- that is because you subscribed to my blog last year. If you want to unsubscribe- that is not advisable..... lord knows what you will miss.