Work and Travel in Ponte da Barca

WORK IN PONTE DA BARCA ALL YEAR ROUND

Work in Maramures for foreigners all year would be consultancy or specialist work, as in your bringing a skill that is not locally available. There is no short term work that is needed here all year round any more than anywhere else. Helping with EU grant applications maybe be an idea, but most opportunities are seasonal and mentioned below.

SEASONAL WORK IN PONTE DA BARCA

SPRING

Reception work, in hotels, hostels etc, building work for foreigners or if you have an expertise, maybe locals but unlikely as they will not speak English. There is a need for Agriculture consultants in the area to show people what they can grow, to make more money that for growing hay, but... unlikely. People like that will not be advertising on here. The ex pat community is small in Maramures, there are maybe 15 of us, mostly in the hospitality business, so I would look to getting work in this field, or helping out on the farm clearing the land and helping prepare for planting.

SUMMER

You might find work in the Pensions and working in the tourist business if you speak English or French, or even better, Romanian. They pay will be low but it's cheap to live here so you can save a bit but not much. Most of the building happens in the summer so if you have building skills that cannot be found locally you might get work as a plumber, electrician etc with some of the foreign businesses working in the tourist trade.

There are a going number of foreigners who have homes in Maramures and they all need help with taking care of their properties. Locals are very busy in the summer with thier own farms and so it is possible to get work helping out with maintenance and gardening due to the lack of local labor available at this time.

AUTUMN

Autumn is harvest time and we often need apple pickers as it is hard to get locals to help at this time as they are all doing the same. So probably the best time to look for laboring work in Maramures. It should be relatively easy to get work with a foreigner here at this time go help with collecting apples, prunes, walnut ect and the helping them to distill the fruit to make Horinca.

WINTER

There are a few ski resorts here, so you might get some work there, but no foreigner tourist come here,yet. So no need for English of French speaking people to work here. Most work tends to die in the winter, so not the best time to look for work here.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING IN PONTE DA BARCA

The great thing about people in Maramures, is a lot of them work abroad, and so one, there is a shortage of skills locally and, they are more than fine with foreigners. Most people here have a favorite foreign country, its almost like supporting a football team. Every one is in love with Germany, or France etc. So if you are from that country they will be more than happy with you being around. The slight down side of that is, they think everything is perfect in your country and you are ALL rich. Most people are fine and will treat you fare, but make sure you are very clear on what you have agreed to be compensated for you work as you might end up with " Ah, I thought you just do this for fun".