Alumni Interview with Matthew Walker

What inspired you to travel abroad?

To be completely honest with you, I was simply fed up with the corporate culture. So much politics, so much backstabbing. It seemed like that regardless of what was happening, there was always someone there to try and use it to their advantage. I had a pretty good lifestyle, but I realized that what I was doing to sustain that lifestyle was nothing short of toxic. I understand that people have to do certain things to survive, but I guess I reached my limit as far as the Office Environment went. I immediately looked for ways to go back to the relaxed lifestyle that I absolutely loved when I was in Europe. I asked myself what they needed out there, and I began to find ways to make it happen.

Why did you choose TEFL Madrid Academy?

I came out to Madrid hoping to give conversation classes. I met a couple of people who were already working, so they were kind enough to help me by giving me some of their students, but I realized quickly that there was a method to teaching classes. They (the students) had so many questions for me that I couldn’t answer, and I sat there sometimes looking like an idiot. Besides, there are only so many things to talk about before the student gets bored with you. I literally walked out of my apartment one day, and saw that there was an academy that offered a TEFL Certification. I went in, made my introduction, and before I knew it, I was enrolled in their TEFL Program. It was pure fate, I suppose.

What was your favorite part about Madrid, Spain?

Every big city has a sort of work culture. I guess I came out here because I wanted to find a different sort of daily routine. There is a more communal aspect in the building where I lived. It was the best part of my day, to come home, see a group of people who I lived with share time in the building’s courtyard. There was always someone out there doing something, and there was always an opportunity to connect with them. When they told me about the things they did, or the places they went to, I felt like I was with them in their journey, and they were with me in mine. There wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t feel like a traveller, and it’s something I hope everyone can identify with someday.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

The courtyard was one. Where the talks in the courtyard led me was the next thing. The people I lived with told me about concerts in one city, or gatherings in another, or just the culture in certain smaller towns. A couple of them invited me along on one of their trips, showed me how to make bracelets and necklaces, and I went along for probably one of the greatest experiences of my life. We played guitars on the street, and juggled. I know that I felt like some of those homeless buskers who had a subculture all their own, but I had real amazing experiences because I did it. They all started with the conversations in that courtyard. The conversations in that courtyard wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t made the move to teach English in Spain.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

I happened upon TE Madrid while I was in the city trying to figure out what my next move was. Andreea at the front desk was very welcoming and kind. While the classes TE Madrid offered were booked solid, a chance cancellation gave me the opportunity to fill the gap, and she was happy to oblige. The people I met were great. The classes were broken down in such a way that I knew I would be able to learn. The instructor was awesome, and I really liked how we were listening to music (quietly) while we took the course. Once I finished, they helped me with the Visa Process, and they even helped organize a few job interviews immediately after that as well. It didn’t take long for me to sign a contract with a school close to my apartment.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

Time flies when you’re having fun. Unfortunately, I couldn’t renew my visa because I was spending so much time teaching and going around Spain, France, and Portugal. If you’re talking to the slightly evolved version of me, you’ll probably be speaking to the version of me who’ll better prepare for little things like visas and residency requirements. It was definitely something that I should have done as the clock ticked down. There’s nothing that can be done about it now, so I do what I can to bring a little bit of that spirit with me back here in the United States. I will tell you this, though. I’m not through with Europe, and I know that when I go back over there, I’ll make sure to ask the right questions, in order to get the right answers.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I did a lot of class preparation in between student groups. Whoever was proficient, or intermediate, I tried to work with their levels as best as I could. Because of the communal nature of where I lived, sometimes we took turns cooking breakfast for each other, so it wasn’t unusual for me to wake up, and fly out the door with a few pieces of toast, an orange, and a cup of coffee. Another thing that was awesome was that I was a ten minute walk to a couple of metro stops, so it was very easy to get around town, and I was never late getting to work. After doing a couple of classes at my academy, I had private lessons with students in the neighborhood. A lot of hellos were said between me and the neighbors, and they got to know me, as I got to know them.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I enjoyed learning Spanish. It definitely helped me out when I was going to smaller towns or villages in the country. The courtyard was easily the best part of my time in Madrid. It was everyone’s escape from whatever grind or routine they were used to, just like it was for me. When I travelled, I did so in a way that I never thought I would (taking regional trains, buses, and selling bracelets in various small towns). I went to some amazing live shows, and hung out with a great group of people (some of whom became guests in my house when they ventured to my place in Seattle). All of these experiences inspired me to create a place just like it when I returned to the United States.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I had a shared apartment. At first I was with students, but then I found the building in the Chamberi neighborhood that I lived in, and that was for professionals. I don’t think I need to tell you that the best part of that building was the courtyard. It seems gratuitous at this point. I liked that everything that I wanted to do was very close to me, from work, to relaxation, to trip ideas. All of them were within arms reach of each other. I also liked the open door policy with the people that I lived with. I knew that I could trust them with some of my most valuable things if I asked them. It’s a rare feeling, to say the least. If only it was like that a bit more where I was.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Places in the TEFL program fill up pretty quickly, but that’s probably because of the demand for English teachers in Spain, and the desire for students and professionals to become English teachers in Spain. Book your course as far in advance as possible, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The people at TE Madrid, whether they’re behind the front desk, or they’re one of the teachers, are happy to help you. They’ve been exactly where you are, so they more than understand what you’re going through, and what you’ll need to do to get adjusted to life in Spain. Also, and I think that this is something that should be fairly obvious to the person who’s on the fence about this: Do it. You won’t regret it. You may hate it, but you’ll grow from it. Trust me.

Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?

One Hundred Percent! I didn’t know about the school until I walked in and made my introduction, but I’m sure glad that I did. I initially thought that all I needed to do was speak my language to students. When I came out here and gave it a shot, I realized just how wrong I was. They helped me prepare for the reality of teaching English in Spain, and when I finally got the basics down, I realized how different things were in the real world. I felt like I accomplished something when I got my TEFL Certification. They were also very happy to help me secure a few job interviews right after my graduation, and that made things a lot easier for me. I breathed a lot easier knowing that I had good people helping me.

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

Don’t come out here expecting certain things to happen. The best Euro-trip is the one that isn’t planned. Go with the flow. Meet those people. Take that course. Learn how to make bracelets and walk down that street. You’re in a place you’ve never been before, and every move you make is one that takes you into the unknown. I can’t begin to tell you what it is that I experienced thus far, and I’m quite positive that it is only the beginning. I’m thankful for everything, and it definitely opened my eyes to what I was missing in life. It made me realize what I really wanted to do with my life, and I hope everyone I meet finds what they’re looking for. You owe it to yourself to do it.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

It was a really sad day for me to board the plane back to the United States. I hated every moment. I was so inspired by my time in the building’s courtyard that I now want to create that same environment where I live right now. I was lucky because I inherited a house from my late grandmother. I’m currently renovating it, and opening it up to budget travellers who are passing through Seattle. The environment is certainly different, and it’s thousands of miles away from Madrid, but I guess it’s my way of showing people what it’s like to connect with each other, and the place around them, if only for a fleeting moment in their lives. They certainly won’t be sorry they stopped by, I can tell you that much.