TEFLees in Spain

Hello everyone. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Matt Johnson and I’m an August graduate of TTMadrid. I’m 23 years old, I’m from Ocala, FL, I’ve just recently graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s in English/Creative Writing, I like long walks on the beach, etc., etc. I’ll be your blog master from now on, so hopefully you’ll enjoy what I have to say. If not, simply post your criticisms along with your full name, email address, home address, and phone number, so I can hunt you down and…just messin with ya. Enjoy Blog #1!

It takes a lot to pack up your bags, kiss your crying mother goodbye, and move your life to a strange new continent. There’s a lot of sacrifice in it. Yes, of course, I do miss college football (even though FSU is nowhere close to contention). Yes, I do miss my friends, and yes, I do miss the occasional episode of Entourage. But to me, it’s worth it. It’s worth the awkwardness of the language barrier. It’s worth the confusion of navigating a city where the roads crisscross the map like spider webs. It’s worth an entire day’s worth of traveling and lugging all my worldly possession with me across the ocean.

Any of us here in Madrid could let these obstacles drag us down. Anyone could. However, what I’ve discovered about my fellow English-speaking brethren in Madrid is that we have one major thing in common outside of our native language: the spirit of adventure. Why else would we go through all the trouble? No one I’ve met has told me that they expected to come over here, strike it rich, and live like Spanish royalty. As far as I know, teaching English is not the typical road leading to fame and fortune. But - and here’s the important part - teaching English in Madrid is the key to living in and exploring an amazing new continent.

I mean, who really wants to take the typical two week vacation in Europe? It’s over before it begins. There’s little chance in a whirlwind week of tourist attractions for one to experience the real Europe. To get to know and understand the people. To wander the narrow side streets and get lost in the beautifully green and shady Madrilleno parks. There’s little chance to wander off the beaten path and capture the true spirit of a place. To immerse one’s self in the language, the customs, and the beliefs of a completely new culture, and take away something truly worth while and life changing.

This, I believe, is why we come. It’s a continuing education outside of the institutionalized classroom setting; to learn from experience, sight, taste, and touch. And as far as I’m concerned each day I spend here is better than the last. So for those of you considering the trip, my advice to you is to stop toeing the line and dive right in, and for those who’ve already committed, get ready for an adventure of a lifetime, and know that you already have many friends waiting!