Postgraduate Profile: Madison Tazu.
by Megan Rice
Madison Tazu
Current Home: Cardiff
Age: 24
Madison Tazu knows passion. The word comes effortlessly from her mouth, confidently interchanged with “Welsh” and “languages” in the discussion of her goals and professional aspirations. With her red curly hair, tattoos covering her right arm, and faint holes in her face from multiple piercings, there’s no denying she stands out.
Her uniqueness extends beyond physical appearance. After a childhood spent in rural West Wales, she left school at age 14. Her late teens were spent working odd jobs, living in England, and experimenting with different hobbies and lifestyles. What sets her apart most, though, is her personal convictions to what she wants to do in life. Languages.
It wasn’t until just a few years ago that Madison even considered learning Welsh. Since signing up to take her first language course, she’s seen life change drastically. She was the recipient of the National Welsh Learner of the Year award, she taught Welsh in Argentina during a 6-month journey through South America, began learning Spanish and Sign Language, and recently completed her A-Levels. While for many of her peers, University is just a distant memory, Madison, at 24, is starting her course in September. While she hasn’t exactly followed a traditional path to getting where she is now, Madison has proven that you don’t have to play by the rules to find what makes you happy. This is her story.
WHAT EXCITES YOU IN LIFE?
Languages, laughter, traveling, cycling, people. People who share similar interests but also people who don’t share any interests with me at all. Curious people.
HOW HAVE YOUR INTERESTS AND GOALS CHANGED OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS?
Everything’s completely different. Five years ago I hadn’t found languages yet. It’s been quite a big path getting to where I am now. I grew up in a rural town in West Wales and was given the false impression that Wales was very narrow-minded. England, England, England. I had my mind set on England, I wanted to go to a big city.
The whole thing of learning Welsh started when I went traveling thru Europe, being immersed in cultures that embraced their cultural identity so intensely made me curious about my own background. It (learning welsh) started with a curiosity, which turned into something definite. I’ve never been so definite about anything before. At the time I had a boyfriend who I had been so head over heels for, the would-die-for-him type of love. We were living together in Brighton when I realized I had to go to Wales if I really wanted to learn the language. Despite how badly I wanted to be with him, I still went to Cardiff. That’s how definite I was about pursuing Welsh.
WHAT TYPE OF OBSTACLES HAVE YOU HAD TO FACE SINCE DECIDING TO LEARN WELSH?
Moving, when I had found love, was very difficult. Upon coming to Cardiff, I couldn’t get a job for a couple months. Everyone asked me, “Why do you want to go to learn Welsh?” They thought I’d stay with my boyfriend, that there wasn’t a point to go to Wales. My parents thought it was silly. But it meant nothing to me what everyone thought. It was so locked into my destiny.
WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU TRIED DOING IN SEARCH OF YOUR PASSION?
Belly dancing. Traveling. I did a music production course and tried to get into electronic music. I found the whole thing intimidating though, I couldn’t believe in it. I remember trying to learn the guitar and couldn’t get any good. I didn’t know if it was because I wasn’t passionate about it or that I didn’t believe in myself. Finding your passion can make you feel really good about yourself but not feeling really good about yourself can stop you finding your passion.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PURSUE LANGUAGES AND STAY FINANCIALLY AFLOAT?
It was hard, actually. You have to be willing to work a lot. I worked with a care agency, and spent all my spare time doing courses. I’d use my holiday pay to pay for more courses.
ANY MORE WORDS OF WISDOM?
It’s normal to feel lost. I get excited about being lost. Just because I’ve found something that I love doesn’t mean I’m always happy. But it’s important to find something to feel passionate about or life can feel a little pointless. You’ve got to start small, and find hobbies. Hobbies often build into jobs, and ultimately everyone wants a job they feel passionate about. Don’t only work to live. Keep learning. Try everything and anything. Be completely open to new experiences because you’ll never know what excites you.
WHAT’S NEXT?
University in September studying Welsh and Spanish. I’m going to Spain in a month to practice my Spanish. I hope to start learning Gaelic while at University as well. Most importantly though, it’s to get fluent in Welsh.