not trying something is far worse

So far the TEA community had the chance to read 6 interviews with people who had decided to travel the world. We were curious about their experiences, expectations, struggles, and joys while living far from their homeland. While listening to their stories, we wanted to get a realistic picture, both objective and subjective, about what it means to try one's luck abroad. Although it was exciting to read each of the accounts, I felt it was time to systemize what had been shared with us in this topic. In March, thus, I posted a summative article about what we have learned from these interesting discussions. 

This month, however, we move on to another story, told by Marek, an English teacher from Poland, who now lives and teaches in Holland but has seen many parts of the globe already. How did his journeys enrich him and what lessons can he share with us?

Hey, Marek. Thanks for joining the TEA discussion. What kind of tea would you pick if I could take you out for a live interview?

PG Tips! No milk and no sugar, please.

Never heard of PG Tips before. Thanks for the tip. :-) So, let’s get the party started. Could you give us an overview of your journeys?

Uff, I’ve moved a lot, but I still wonder whether too little or too much. I started teaching part-time in Poland, after doing my CELTA in Prague, but as soon as the BA was done and dusted, I moved on. The world seemed too big and too enticing to stay in one place. So I went to Mexico, and, by a stroke of luck, I ended up teaching in Costa Rica. I spent a year there and it was again time to move on. Spain, Hungary, and the UK followed. And now I’m in the Netherlands. If I get a chance, I’d still like to teach in South-East Asia and in South America.

What a record! It seems you are the very embodiment of the “Cosmopolitan,” who not only moves abroad, but migrates from place to place, in search of new worlds. Is there a typical duration, say one year, that you spend in one location? Why? 

It’s been anything between 6 and 12 months, all depending on the length of the contract. Every time towards the end of the contract I’d start getting itchy feet, though, and it felt like it was time to move on although at times it was easy, and times not.

I see. Although it is not fashionable to talk about the obstacles, like the nostalgia or the emotional price you have to pay, could you tell us a bit about how you coped with these things?

Of course, it isn’t all exciting all the time. It can be quite tough and challenging to live in a different country, far away from home. And a lot depends on your personality. But for me, there is definitely something exciting about the act of moving, getting to know new people, new language, new culture. At the beginning I felt no nostalgia. I was, and still am, doing what I set out to do: teaching and travelling the world. However, the more I’ve travelled, the more I’ve started to appreciate what my homeland has to offer, so I might be quite tempted to head back there at some point. Of course, there are moments when you feel homesick. You also feel that your old life, friends and family back home have, well, moved on, for better or for worse. And you haven’t been part of it. But you can’t have it all, can you? So it’s a decision you have to take for yourself.

True. During your extensive journeys, which proved to be a bigger obstacle, language or culture? 

I think both can be a big obstacle. I’ve been to Latin America, and although I can speak the language and love the people and the culture, there are certain things  I can’t and probably won’t accept (unless I really force myself to). Still, Latin America is much closer to Europe culturally, than China, for example. I’ve never worked there, but have had students from Asia, and they are indeed very different culturally, which makes it really interesting, but also challenging. When I was on the other side of the Atlantic, I did miss many things about Europe (e.g. public transport, general safety, lack of huge class divisions). But similarly now, I miss many things about Costa Rica or Mexico (e.g. the climate, the people, the sun, the beaches, the nature, the food – Mexican restaurants in Europe are not Mexican at all!). You can’t have it all, so it’s a case of your priorities. From a teaching perspective, I think teaching in a completely different culture broadens your horizons and makes you a better teacher, so I’d recommend it to everyone.

Regarding the language, the Netherlands is the second country I work in where I don’t know the local language. You get used to it after a while, but if I was planning to settle here, I’d definitely start learning Dutch because you end up living in an expat bubble. You miss out on so many ‘local’ things.

Do you have any memorable or funny incident related to language or culture?

Yes. Quite a few, actually. In Costa Rica, un polaco is somebody who goes from door to door selling things on credit. So whenever I said I was Polish, people would mockingly say: Y que me vende? (what do you sell) and start laughing. It took me a while to figure out what was going on.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone considering living abroad?

Don’t think too much about it. Just do it! Not trying something is far worse than trying and realizing you didn’t like the experience. At least you’ll know.

Perfect conclusion. Thank you!

My dear TEA drinkers, if you liked the interview or you happen to be in Wageningen, wanting to polish your English, visit Marek's blog.