TtMadrid: Why you WANT to do it...

Teaching English abroad was nothing I ever imagined myself doing... I received a call one day from my best friend asking if I wanted to move to Spain for a year. As an upcoming graduate, I thought I had life planned out: a big girl job in the city; a big girl apartment; a big girl life. Moving across the world just wasn't a part of the plan. And besides, I had ZERO teaching experience! My friend, who graduated with a Liberal Arts degree and received her teaching credential, never had the opportunity to study abroad and was looking for an adventure. Her two cousins completed the Tt program one year prior, and were attempting everything in their power to encourage her to join them. That's when she called me. They, like me, had no previous teaching experience, and assured us that previous experience was not necessary - that Tt gave you all the tools you needed... and they were right!

The instructors made us feel so comfortable, and made me feel confident in my new-found teaching abilities. Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to work for the Spanish Army, the Spanish Senate, and now I work for the Department of Education of Madrid as a Language Assistant Coordinator. In that time, too, I have been able to travel to so many new and wonderful places. Aside from exploring Spain, we have traveled to Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, and even Morocco! The opportunities you gain from doing a program like TtMadrid are endless. And thanks to these experiences, I am looking forward to returning to the United States in the fall and entering a job-field that I did not imagine myself to be a part of - education.

Without a doubt, the most frightening thing about moving abroad is the idea of feeling lost and alone. TtMadrid makes all those fears go away. The friendships you make last throughout your time here, as you realize right away that you are not alone: most everyone there has taken the same plunge as you. And even a few members of the Tt staff were once in our place... They assist with finding housing, setting up a bank account, obtaining residency, FINDING JOBS, and every other kind of support you could possibly need.

The best advice I could give a prospective student: just take the plunge. Take the course. Travel the world. Live your best life abroad. You will be so glad you did.