This evening, my older son, Peter, departs for Madrid Spain. When he graduated from college last fall, as an English major, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d do with that degree. He thinks he's found the opportunity -- teaching English to native Spanish speakers, in Spain. Since he's had a lot of Spanish language, including an intensive in Mexico, he should be well prepared for this.
Being "well prepared" may not be quite the right phrase to use. You see, Peter doesn't know exactly what he's going off to do! He knows where he's going, and he even has a place to stay, but only for the rest of the week. By next week, he has to find a place to live, and get enrolled in some training, and figure out transportation, and food, and life in Spain. Oh yeah, he also has to be part of finding his own students. Perhaps in schools, perhaps corporations, maybe even individual one-on-one training (he's already got contacts with some). Stepping into such an unknown thing, in another country, would be terrifying to a lot of people (me, for instance). But Peter just takes it in stride. He has a way with people and he's comfortable in so many situations. In the past few years, he's traveled to Russia, Tanzania, Mexico, and then several countries in South America, so this is just one more step for him.
With this open-ended plan, he also doesn't know how long he'll be gone. He's expecting nine months to a year, but it could be longer, or it could be shorter. He doesn't have return tickets, though. It's all just part of the adventure for him.
He’ll be away for a long time, which is sad, but he knows how to stay in touch lots of ways. I’m excited for him. And yes, I’m proud a proud father. My son is doing things that I never did. Way to go Peter!

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