TEFLees in Spain

Living in Spain has a spring break quality for young Americans teaching English in Madrid.  The cheap and generous portions of alcohol, the communal living quarters, the constant opportunity to party, the excellent weather and beautiful people.  And, most importantly, what happens in Spain stays in Spain.

Reality overrides the vacation feeling sometimes.  We learn that no one in the city proper seems to feel obligated to pick up after their dog.  We learn that it does, in fact, rain in Spain – and not only on the plains (though still little enough to love our sunny city).  We learn that we cannot complain about the rain to your classes because they will lecture us on being grateful that we are not in a drought.

But overall, we can’t shake the aura of good times, sunshine, and summertime – all year round.  Maybe that’s why TEFL graduation parties can be so ridiculous.  After all, the TEFL is intensive by definition.  Letting off steam is to be expected.

And like spring break, TEFL graduations precipitate stories… and laughter… and gossip… and… maybe a little bit of embarrassment.  And maybe the important thing to remember is that laughing at ourselves is what makes us a success in a foreign country.  Our failures and embarrassments are what make us human, what make us vulnerable and approachable and loveable.

Laughing at yourself as you make mistakes in the Spanish language is what prevents you from giving up entirely.  Laughing at yourself making a mistake in class is what gives you the strength to keep teaching.  Laughing at yourself when you step in canine droppings is what stops you from going home to change and being late to work.  And laughing at yourself in life out of your natural habitat is what helps you love Madrid for all it is.

And as the rain washes the dog feces from the sidewalk in front of the entrance to our building, we begin again.  A fresh start.  Which is why we came here.