living in albania1 - World Academy of Tirana

WAT
World Academy of Tirana
Living in Tirana
Guide for the international teachers of WAT
Thethi
Shkodra
Kukesi
Osumi River
Berat
Vlora
Lura
Korca
Saranda
Tirana is only 32 km from the sea
Durres City
Dajti mountain in Tirana, 1613 m
Pogradec
Durres beach
WAT
World Academy of Tirana
Welcome to the World Academy of Tirana
As you will come to discover, Albania is a beautiful country that boasts a wide variety of beautiful
landscapes and cultures. We hope you will have the opportunity to explore this scenic, cultural,
and nature rich environment.
This brochure is intended to give you a brief explanation to life in Albania.
Currency
Although the local currency is the Albanian Lek, teachers are paid in Euros. Currently, 1 US and
Canadian Dollar equals approximately 104 lek. 1 Euro equals about 140 lek.
WAT
World Academy of Tirana
Internet and TV
The four main companies for satellite or cable service are as follows:
ABCOM (http://www.abcom.al/)
Abissnet http://abissnet.al/)
Digitalb (http://www.digitalb.al/)
Tring (http://www.tring.tv/)
For internet services, all of the above companies are options with the exception of Digitalb.
Another option not mentioned above is:
Albtelecom (http://www.albtelecom.al/web/Default_eng.aspx)
Albania’s broadband internet services are relatively robust and reliable. Electricity is supplied at
220V and PAL- B/G is the local television system.
Cell Phones
The school offers incentives for cell phone service with Vodafone. The three main cell phone
companies are:
AMC (http://www.amc.al/Default.aspx?lang=1)
Eagle http://www.eaglemobile.al/en/individuale.aspx)
Vodafone (http://www.vodafone.al/vodafone/My_World_2_2.php)
Driving in Tirana
Tirana is relatively easy city to drive around. There is
a lot of traffic, so getting to a place that is relatively
close may take a while.
Transportation
In the city, there are city busses, which cost 30 lek
each way. The Kristal Center bus costs 50 lek each
way. Taxis typically cost about 400 lek during the
day for travel within the city. Taxis cost about 500
lek for travel within the city at night. A taxi ride to
the airport typically costs about 2000 lek.
Health Care
Health care in Albania is good. The hospital the
school recommends is the Greek hospital, Hygeia,
which has all the facilities to cater for any type of
emergency. There are numerous doctors’ offices
located throughout the city, and they are easily
accessible. Much of the equipment used by doctors
in Tirana is state of the art, and most doctors’ offices
are very well equipped.
WAT
World Academy of Tirana
Supermarkets
The main supermarkets are Carrefour and Conad and all are located near the school and
throughout Tirana. There are also two American stores. One is called My Dollar Store, and it sells
North American products such as food, toiletries, and office/school supplies. Another one is called
America’s Favorites.
Outdoor produce markets sell fresh fruits and vegetables for very reasonable prices, and you can
find these on almost on every corner.
Shopping Malls
There are several malls in Tirana. Kristal Center is more of a mini mall and has a movie theater as
well. It is within walking distance to the school. The other malls are accessible by taxi or bus. The
buses to all of the malls (except Kristal Center) are free.
City Park (http://www.citypark-al.com/)
Casa Italia (http://www.casaitalia.al/web/)
Kristal Center (http://www.kristalcenter.com/index.php)
QTU (http://www.qtu.al/)
TEG (http://www.teg.al/)
Movie Theaters
Imperial Cinemas is located in Kristal Center. It also has two other locations
in the city, including the Sheraton Hotel. Kinema Millennium has one location
in the city near Skanderberg Square.
Imperial Cinemas (http://www.imperialcinemas.al/))
Kinema Millennium (http://www.kinemamillennium.com/)
Contract Duration
Your contract will be for one year. In order to qualify for a step increase for
the following school year, the teacher must complete a full school year and
receive a successful evaluation from the school directors.
WAT
World Academy of Tirana
Cost of Living Notes
The cost of living in Albania is very reasonable. The cost of purchasing locally grown food, locally
manufactured toiletries or cleaning sup¬plies, and labor-intensive services (child-care, household
help) is far less than in most other countries.
To give you a sense of what things cost in Tirana, here is a brief list:
Item
A fresh loaf of bread
1 liter of milk
A carton of eggs
A movie cket
500g of dried spaghe
An average bo le of wine
A bo le of water
A bo le of soda
A 3-course restaurant meal
Cost in Lek
80 lek
120 lek
115 lek
500 lek
80 lek
500 lek
33 lek
70 lek
700 lek
Some useful words in Albanian
Welome! - Mire se vjen!
Hello – Ckemi, tungjatjeta
How are ju? – Si jeni?
Good morning – Miremengjes
Good afternoon – Miredita
Good evening – Mirembrema
Good night – Naten e mire
My name is… - Une quhem….
Do you speak English? – Flisni anglisht?
How much is this? - Sa kushton kjo?
Excuse me – me falni
WAT’s Contact details:
Rr. Bilal Golemi, Nr. 17
Tirane
Tel.: 04 22 44 014, 04 22 44 336
www.worldacademyoftirana.com
info@worldacademyoftirana.com
Welcome aboard!