Martyn, 34, was at a crossroads in his life when a spontaneous trip to Japan sparked a passion for language and culture that would transform his future. Martyn shares how Open University (OU) study opened the door to an exciting career and a new chapter overseas.
A life-changing trip
Martyn was working in retail, trying to figure out what to do next, when he was introduced to a new colleague.
“We liked all the same things and just hit it off straight away. I always say he’s like the brother I never had,” Martyn explains. “We’d talked a lot about travel, so one day he came into work and invited me on a trip to Japan with a group of friends. He didn’t have to ask twice!”
Martyn in Japan.
It was on this trip that Martyn felt a deep connection with Japanese culture, something he’d never experienced anywhere else.
“It’s hard to describe, but I suppose the closest I can get is that it was like falling in love,” Martyn describes. “While I was there, I had the opportunity to speak to lots of people who were teaching English, not just in Japan, but in countries across Asia. It really opened my mind.”
A natural teacher
Around the same time Martyn was helping a friend, whose first language is Chinese, with her English.
“She told me I was a great teacher and asked if I’d ever considered teaching as a profession. I hadn’t, but it did get me thinking,” Martyn recalls. “I knew I needed a new challenge, but I wasn’t entirely convinced because I’d been out of education for several years.”
Martyn decided to test the water by trying some of the OU’s free courses on OpenLearn to find out whether he could get his head back into learning.
“What an incredible free resource that is! My mother and I both have a few badges now. OpenLearn made me realise that I love learning when it’s a subject that interests me,” says Martyn. “I had a lot going on in my mind, so I called and spoke to one of the OU advisors about my degree options. They were absolutely brilliant, taking time to hear about my interests and discuss potential career paths with me. That advice helped me decide which degree to aim for.”
Taking the plunge
After passing an Access module with flying colours, Martyn switched up his working pattern and set his sights on achieving a BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities.
“I was surprised at how I took to studying after such a long break, but the resources are fantastic,” says Martyn. “When those first Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) results started to drop in, both my family and I realised that this degree was a real prospect for me.”
Having the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects was a big draw for Martyn.
“I’d always been interested in Geography, but I’d never considered languages and culture as part of that,” Martyn reflects. “Thanks to some good friends and the OU, I finally connected the dots and found the perfect degree to keep me focused.”
Support when you need it
An active member of the OU student community, Martyn took to forums to exchange study tips and crucially, support.
“For me, it was all part of the experience. I always found something to inspire me or make me think of something in a different way,” says Martyn. “Everyone struggles somewhere along the line – whether it’s a disappointing TMA result or a difficult life event – I think you can learn a lot from other people’s experiences.”
Martyn not only champions the student support network – having gone through a tough time himself, he leaned into other avenues of support at the OU.
“My dad died suddenly during my studies. It was difficult to get through at first and that was reflected in my results,” says Martyn. “But the tutors and the Student Support Team are always there to help. Eventually, I found that studying took me away from it all and gave me something to focus on.”
The big move
Having recently celebrated his graduation, Martyn is now planning the biggest move of his life so far.
“I’ve recently found out that I’ve secured a teaching position in the Kyushu region of Japan. I’ve been thinking about it for over four years now, so I can hardly believe it’s about to happen!” Martyn adds, “None of this would have been possible without the OU. It’s an amazing organisation, full of inspiring people. I very much hope to return for the Masters!”
Martyn shares his top tips for study success.
Take advice before you start – “OU advisors helped me consolidate my interests and ambitions. Thanks to my conversations with them, I knew from the beginning that I was heading down the right path.”
Get creative – “I made a big poster to remind me of my goals and motivations, it kept me on track. That wasn’t the only one though, it became a running joke with my parents who had to put up with my posters and diagrams all over the house!”
Reach out when you need to – “As an OU student or graduate, you’re part of a huge community with loads of support on offer. I’m proud to be OU Family.”
Don’t let a disappointing result get you down – “It happens to everyone and it’s never fun, but you can learn a lot from it. OU tutors are great at giving you feedback to improve and help you understand where you went wrong.”
Inspired by Martyn’s story?
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