The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia [Paperback]

The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia

Here is a resource that provides everything you need to know about the Slovak people,their unique culture, and how to acclimate smoothly within it.

Slovakia is an increasingly important destination for the traveler interested in experiencing what "New Europe" has to offer. Whether you see yourself staying in Slovakia for a few weeks or for a few years, this companion guide provides practical information on a range of subjects to assist you in understanding life in Slovakia, smooth your transition into Slovak culture, and help you discover Slovakia's unique qualities.

Contents include information on the following:

-- The Slovak people: How history and geography have shaped them. How important is it to learn the language.
-- Survival basics: How to find accommodation and get settled in. How to get around on public transportation. What the food is like.
-- Legal matters: How to apply for a visa or for an extended-stay permit. What you need to drive in Slovakia.
-- Folk traditions and culture: The kinds of holidays Slovaks celebrate and the cultural elements that are uniquely Slovak.
-- Social and business customs: Some basic greetings in social or business settings, and what you can expect when being invited to someone's home for dinner.
-- Leisure time: The kinds of different recreational activities. How Slovaks spend their free time through different seasons of the year.

The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia, covers the social, economic, historic and traditional influences on the life and culture of Slovakia in central Europe. Designed to acclimate a traveler to the ins and outs of life in Slovakia, this guide provides more depth than just the basic country facts found in travel guides.

Slovakia has been developing in interest due to its strong economic growth, recently confirmed by its record 8.2 percent growth in GDP for 2006. As Slovakia continues to increase in importance, the need for the variety and depth of information that is covered in The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia becomes more apparent, particularly since there is not a single "culture guide" presently written on Slovakia.

"When I moved to Slovakia six years ago, there were no resources available beyond the basics that could be found in a travel guide written for the Czech and Slovak Republics. Information is still limited. I wrote this guide to fill the void of needed practical information about life in Slovakia." Said Margarete Hurn, author of The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia.

Margarete Hurn has lived and worked in Slovakia for five years, teaching English at several different institutions including the Technical University in Bratislava. She has taken her experiences as a foreigner living abroad to create this guide for those who are inquisitive of the Slovak culture and how to smoothly acclimate within it.