11 years abroad

Me and my friend Joe: the earliest photo I could find of me in Japan.

Eleven years ago today, I left New Zealand for Japan.

Today is a special day for me. Eleven years ago, I arrived in Japan. My plan was to stay and work for a year or so. I wanted to save some money, then head to Europe for a few months. After that, I planned to go back to university to do a Phd in economics, and then get a serious job.

Life had other plans for me. I met my wife, and we stayed in Japan for more than 7 years. I started Poligo. She graduated. We moved to Brazil in 2011, and we had a son in 2012.

Today is also special because we are moving house. We have lived in São Paulo for four years. Next week, we will move into our new house in a new city — Brasilia. I'll write about that another time.

Matthew

About me
I am from New Zealand. I lived in Japan and Brazil for a long time, but now I am back home in Auckland. I am the founder of Poligo. I like to play guitar and video games and surf when I get the chance. I have a wife and two boys.

Experience
I specialize in teaching English to professionals and English teachers. I have taught English since 2001 in Japan, New Zealand and Brazil. I speak Japanese & Portuguese. I am the founder of Poligo and The English Farm (an online school for business English).

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