News from our grads
Matt Bell in Russia
1. How/Why did you first think of doing a TESOL course and going overseas?
I had always wanted to travel to Russia ever since I could remember; perhaps it was the result of too many James Bond movies. But I never would have come if I hadn’t met my girlfriend, a Russian living in Moscow. However, I asked myself how could I live in a country so far away. Teach International had the answer.
2. Why did you choose Teach International?
I saw the advertisement in the paper and trotted along to an information session with my sister. I was impressed by the presentation and worked hard for the next month to save the money for the course.
3. How did the course help you prepare for the journey ahead?
The course at TI gave me the skills that would later prove useful for teaching my students as well as getting a job in the first place.
4. Where are you teaching and how did you get the job?
I’m currently teaching at a private language school in Moscow, Russian Federation. I found the job with the job hunting skills learnt at TI and applied directly through the school’s website. Shortly after, I got an interview followed by a job offer.
5. What do you enjoy most about living there?
I enjoy the dramatic differences between life in Melbourne and in Moscow; the fascinating architecture and culture; the cheap food (and vodka); the chance to meet new friends and to travel to other countries (which is quite cheap if you go from Moscow).
6. What do you find challenging about living there?
The language barrier can be quite a challenge but being on my second contract now, I have picked up a lot of the day-to-day language.
7. Do you have any funny stories?
My first night in Moscow: I was extremely tired and some friends of my girlfriend picked me up from the airport. So we travelled to the school in central Moscow to pick up keys for my apartment. Then we left for my apartment located in the south-east of the city. On the way there, the faithful old Moskvich (read: Quality Russian Automobile) decided that it was going to die, and followed through. While we were waiting for another friend to come along, the police decided they were going to pay us a visit and check our documents.When they were satisfied, they took off without rendering any assistance. On the bright side, we didn’t have to bribe them. What should have been a 45-minute journey turned out to be 3 hours! The following night was worse. I was trying to make my way home from the metro station, normally a 10-15min walk. Unfortunately, my first time in the northern hemisphere destroyed my mental compass and it was a 3-hour journey home… I could have died! Fortunately McDonalds here has the hugest cokes imaginable and the caffeine lasted long enough to get me home, through the door and collapse on my bed, fully clothed.
8. What advice would you give to someone planning on teaching there?
If you come during winter, bring some thermal underwear. If you come in summer, bring aeroguard. If you come in early spring, bring your gumboots. If you come in autumn, bring your umbrella.
9. What are your future plans? Will you keep teaching and travelling?
For the next 9 months, I’ll be in Moscow. After that, the sky’s the limit.
Check out Matt’s blog at: http://radiokrasnaya.blogspot.com
Matt Bell - Teach International Graduate
