Why did you decide to study abroad with Smaller Earth in Prague?
Pedro: My first idea was actually to go to the Vietnam program for 4 months. Unfortunately, I did not sign up on time, but then I saw the Prague offer and I remembered having travelled there in 2012 and thinking how amazing of a city it was. After having an interview with the course leader, Adrienne, I knew this course was exactly what I wanted to do. Her experiences travelling and teaching are magical and all the things I heard regarding this city (as when I travelled there I only had two days so did not know it that well) just made me want to pack my bags and leave straight away. On my specific reasons to take this course, I have a MSc degree in Ecology and work is hard to find in the area, therefore I wanted to give myself more options and believe me, this course will open a lot of doors for you.
What made this experience unique and special?
Pedro: When I first met my course mates I thought: “what the hell?” I had a crazy Scottish girl and a metal head couple to deal with intensively for the next month, everyday for at least some twelve hours. But the group actually worked out amazingly well, with all our differences, but knowing we were all there for the same purpose and with the same passion. These people, along with the amazing staff were probably what made this the most unique course I have ever taken (and I have quite a few). Along with that, Prague turned out to be a lot more amazing than I ever expected, with so many things to do, so many places to go and, of course, so many different beers to try.
The fact that we get a travel pass for the month is really handy, the accommodation is suitable and the sports event they take you to is great. I got to go to a hockey match, which I had never been before. I could go on and on about every magical moment of this course/city but I don’t want to bother you. If you want to know more just send me an email and I will be more than happy to ask any questions and kill any doubts you might have regarding it.
How has this experience impacted your future? (Personally, professionally, academically, etc.)
Pedro: This question is hard to answer, as unfortunately I am going to Thailand and China at the moment and will not have the chance to put the course to use right now. Even so, the friends I made and the experiences I had really changed me. If you are shy, you will stop being it, if you had doubts about your abilities, they will make you confident and model you into a perfect teacher. You will learn the meaning of dedication and hard work and it will be worth it. The first time you give a lesson is usually sh** I was so nervous I had no idea what I was saying. By lesson 5, when I finished my lessons I had the shivers: “I want to do that again!!!!!” Basically, you will never be the same. You will grow both personally and professionally and it will be awesome.
What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering interning abroad in Prague?
Pedro: Best piece of advice I can give: stop thinking just go! The first lesson planning is crazy, the first lesson even more crazy. And all of a sudden you get the rhythm of it: you plan faster, you are less stressed about your next lesson and finally you find the time to have a beer (that is the best part and really useful. If you don’t give yourself a break, you will go crazy). You end up sitting in a pub, looking over some people doing some random things like pub quizzes and all of a sudden: “I bet I could make that part of my lesson”. And believe me, you can actually do it. I had lessons where I did cartwheels, played dead, did pub quizzes, some of my friends played instruments, had fancy dinners with wine (yes, that was a lesson: fancy dinners’ manners) and so on and so on. It is just amazing so again, best advice I can give: GO!