Academy of Humanities and Economics in Lodz, Poland INTEGRA- Migrants' Integrating Kit - Basic Language for Dealing with Financial Matters Presentation of Social Partners

WMC – WARSAW MULTICULTURAL CENTRE The Warsaw Multicultural Center The WMC is supposed to coordinate activities of NGOs and local authorities, already functioning in this field, and to secure access to all the social institutions and full participation in the objective creation of multicultural Warsaw to the immigrants. Among the initiators of the WMC are i.a.: Caritas –Migrants and Refugees Assistance Center, Institute of Cultures of Nations of the Caucasus, Institute of Public Affairs, Foundation “Africa Another Way”, Foundation Diversity Forum, Foundation of Development “Beyond Borders”, Foundation Polish Humanitarian Organization, Association of Intercultural Dialogue “Euroforum Polska”, At the website all the people who would like to stay in Poland can find – GUIDE FOR FOREIGNERSwww.info-migrator.pl (Work in the Republic of Poland, The legalization of stay, Useful addresses)

EURES EURES - EURopean Employment Services On 1 May, 2004, Polish Public Employment Service became a part of the EURES – European Employment Service network. EURES network is composed of the representatives of the Ministries competent for labour, central, regional and local labour offices as well as trade unions and employers organizations. EURES services are fully integrated with the services provided by the Polish labour offices and cover as follows: advisory and support to job seekers in finding relevant job and to the employers in recruiting the employees of the requested professional skills; informing on living and working conditions and situation on the European labour markets, considering existing labour shortages and surpluses; initiating the activities for counteracting and combating the mobility barriers on the European labour market; implementation of international projects.

The School of Polish for Foreigners The School of Polish for Foreigners in the University of Łódź - the oldest and the biggest centre for foreigners which prepares them to study in Poland. Students from more than 80 countries have studied in the School since They arrange basic Polish courses as well as specialized Polish language courses for history, geography, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and philosophy. Polish courses of different levels (9 month, 5 month, one semester, 1 summer-month and 6 weeks, 4 weeks Intensive Language Preparatory Course). The School arranges 9 month courses for candidates to medical, technical, agricultural, economic, classical studies.

Other Social Partners Wieża Babel (The Tower of Babel) – student hostel in Lodz for foreigners, since last year only for foreignershttp:// BEST Lodz - International Organisation BEST Courses are organized by 86 local BEST groups, which are located in 30 countries. Every student from the universities where the BEST group exists can apply for them even four times a year – in summer, autumn, winter and spring seasons. BEST also puts attention on the cultural exchange – we try to organize the courses in such a way that the participants are from the countries from all over the Europe.

Results of the survey 25 people (15 men, 10 women) Students – 15, employed – 7, unemployed – 2, retired – 1, self-employed - 1 Age: 14 – between 21-30, 5 – between 31-40, 3 – under 20, 2 – between 41-50, 1 over 65 years old Originality: Germany x 2, Lithuania x 3, Netherlands, Russia x 2, Spain, Portugal x 2, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Italy x 3, Ukraine x 2, Byelorus x 2, Turkey, Latvia, Slovakia x 2, Greece

Results of the survey Level of education: non-university higher education – 12, secondary education/gymnasium – 7, vocational education – 2, Bachelor degree – 2, Master degree – 2 From the old EU member state (joined EU before 2004) – 10 From a new EU member state (joined EU in 2004 and in 2007) - 7 From the third country - 8

Results of the survey Reason: I moved to study – 14, I moved to find work – 4, I moved with my parents - 3 moved to get married – 1, moved with my husband/wife – 3 To what extent has your life in a new country met your expectations?, people, people, 5 (very great) – 2 people To what extent was it difficult to adjust to a new country? 1(not at all) - 2 people, 2 – 2 people, people, 4 – 6 people

Results of the survey Did you learn the language of the country you were migrating to before leaving your home country? Yes - 2, no - 19, some basic words - 4 To what extent did you encounter difficulties living in a new country, because you didn’t know the local language? 1(not at all) - 1 person, 2 – 3 people, people, 4 – 8 people, 5 (very great) – 2 people What languages do you currently speak with your family members? mother tongue – 24, the local language – 2 How well would you say you understand the local* language when someone is speaking to you?, very well- 5, well- 9, not well- 10, not at all - 1

Results of the survey Using and understanding the local language How well would you say you speak the local language? very well- 3, well – 4, not well – 15, not at all – 3 To what extent do you find it difficult to conduct everyday financial affairs? 1(not at all) - 2 people, 2 – 6 people, people, 4 – 11 people, 5 (very great) – 4 people Could you ask questions in a local language such as inquiring about additional fees on credit card statements? Yes - 8, no - 17 Could you open a bank account without any language assistance by local people?, yes - 9, no – 16 Could you answer questions concerning savings, credit and other financial matters or services when asked in a local language? Yes - 8, no – 17

Results of the survey Dealing with bank applications, paying bills, shopping Could you complete bank applications, understand, and sign contracts in a local language without any assistance? yes- 7, no – 18 Could you pay your bills online and do bank transfers using a local language? Yes – 13, no – 12 Do you encounter language problems when you pay for your purchases in a shop? Yes – 11, no – 14 Can you understand the content of the products labels while in a shop in a local language? Yes – 9, no – 16

Results of the survey Dealing with problems How do you cope with a local language problems? use body language – 17, look for assistance – 15, use other languages – 11 Did you address any of the following institutions for assistance? yes – 3, no - 22, Migrant community organisations – 1, Educational institutions involved in language and financial trainings - 2