Emotional goodbye
My training has come to an end. It's time for me to start packing and get ready to go home. It's been an incredible experience once again. I even have the impression that it's been one of the best trainings I've ever done.
Why? Well, obviously I was very lucky to have had a trainer who is as experienced, competent and at the same time relaxed and funny as Peter. But it's not only that. The whole thing felt different. Different in a good way. Coming to Malta felt like coming to a place I know very well and feel comfortable in. I stayed with a family who I already stayed with once before. Two of the nicest and most caring people I have ever encountered. I felt so safe and looked after, as if I was one of their children. So I didn't really feel nervous about that. I know the school. I know that it's one of the best schools in Europe. Well-organized, well-structured, super friendly and nice. So again no nervousness, no uncertainty, no feeling weird. Being recognized and greeted by a lot of the members of the staff felt good, kind of normal even. Saying goodbye to them yesterday was emotional. Not like saying goodbye to someone you've just met. Not like saying goodbye to someone you're probably not seeing again. It was more like saying goodbye to friends, to people you're hoping to see again soon.
And then there were the new people. Ela in particular. I'm very grateful for having met her and having spent two weeks in class with her. I consider myself very lucky to every once in a while come across people like her. I say come across because it's like finding a rare, precious object you were not hoping to find. We shared a lot of similarities and understood each other extremely well. This was a big part of why I loved the training so much. It's important to be challenged by someone. And I feel like that's what she's been doing.
Not only did we get along well in class, being partners in activities, but we also seem to have very similar life stories. Whenever we were not talking about our fascination with the English language, exchanging teaching ideas or discussing language phenomena, there were all these other topics we were talking about. You know the feeling when you say something and the other person's face lights up because they've experienced the exact same thing? That's what was constantly happening to us. It's very rare and very valuable in my opinion. To be honest, I don't even feel like I've just met her two weeks ago. And I'm very sure that we will stay in touch and continue to be friends.
So, what now? I'm going back with a bit of a heavy heart. Each time I come here, I get attached to this beautiful country a bit more. It feels like leaving home. I'm planing to do the CELTA next - maybe together with Ela. With the CELTA I would be able to go into teacher training, which I would love to do in Malta. So after having been encouraged by Peter to give it a try, I think I will.
Yeah, I am leaving Malta with a heavy heart, but I know for a fact that I will return. It's not a farewell, it's a goodbye, see you soon.
Why? Well, obviously I was very lucky to have had a trainer who is as experienced, competent and at the same time relaxed and funny as Peter. But it's not only that. The whole thing felt different. Different in a good way. Coming to Malta felt like coming to a place I know very well and feel comfortable in. I stayed with a family who I already stayed with once before. Two of the nicest and most caring people I have ever encountered. I felt so safe and looked after, as if I was one of their children. So I didn't really feel nervous about that. I know the school. I know that it's one of the best schools in Europe. Well-organized, well-structured, super friendly and nice. So again no nervousness, no uncertainty, no feeling weird. Being recognized and greeted by a lot of the members of the staff felt good, kind of normal even. Saying goodbye to them yesterday was emotional. Not like saying goodbye to someone you've just met. Not like saying goodbye to someone you're probably not seeing again. It was more like saying goodbye to friends, to people you're hoping to see again soon.
And then there were the new people. Ela in particular. I'm very grateful for having met her and having spent two weeks in class with her. I consider myself very lucky to every once in a while come across people like her. I say come across because it's like finding a rare, precious object you were not hoping to find. We shared a lot of similarities and understood each other extremely well. This was a big part of why I loved the training so much. It's important to be challenged by someone. And I feel like that's what she's been doing.
Not only did we get along well in class, being partners in activities, but we also seem to have very similar life stories. Whenever we were not talking about our fascination with the English language, exchanging teaching ideas or discussing language phenomena, there were all these other topics we were talking about. You know the feeling when you say something and the other person's face lights up because they've experienced the exact same thing? That's what was constantly happening to us. It's very rare and very valuable in my opinion. To be honest, I don't even feel like I've just met her two weeks ago. And I'm very sure that we will stay in touch and continue to be friends.
So, what now? I'm going back with a bit of a heavy heart. Each time I come here, I get attached to this beautiful country a bit more. It feels like leaving home. I'm planing to do the CELTA next - maybe together with Ela. With the CELTA I would be able to go into teacher training, which I would love to do in Malta. So after having been encouraged by Peter to give it a try, I think I will.
Yeah, I am leaving Malta with a heavy heart, but I know for a fact that I will return. It's not a farewell, it's a goodbye, see you soon.
Comments
Post a Comment