Mr. Fry & His Interesting Life

Meet Martin Fry, the badminton-loving English wizard at H-Farm. Residing in Italy, he's not just conquering the classroom but also wrestling with Italian bureaucracy for residency – a true adventure! From belting out Queen's hits to dodging cheeky student jokes, Martin's life is a comedy-drama you won't want to miss. Get ready to laugh, groove, and maybe even pick up a badminton racket! 🏸🎸

So, first of all, what's your name and your role in this school? 

Well, my name is Martin Fry, and I am one of the English teachers at H-farm. Additionally, I work a few evenings a week with boarding students during study time.

So how did you end up at H Farm?

 Well, in the past, I've often wanted to work in Italy. I was living in the city of Jerusalem and was coming to the end of my contract. The same month that I resigned from my contract, I saw the job advertised here, and I applied. Within a few weeks, I was lucky to get the position.

What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies?

Who's the person that inspired you the most in your life? That's a much more difficult question to answer because obviously, I've lived a lot longer than you, and at different times for different reasons, I've been inspired. Sometimes I've been inspired by sports people, not specific ones. Sometimes by those who've overcome great adversity in their lives, being of a certain race or religion, and facing discrimination. I've been inspired by their courage or by their ability to overcome obstacles. I also have a faith background, and at times in my life, I've had a very strong connection with my young Christian faith, so there's inspiration that comes from that as well.

Since you work all day long with students, what is one piece of advice that you want to give to them?

 One of the things I would like to say is for everyone to strive to come to a point where they are happy with who they are, and comfortable within their own skin. Knowing who you are and liking who you are makes a big difference in how you approach everything else, whether it's your relationships with friends and family or your studies. Love yourself, be in touch with yourself, and then you'll be able to approach others and your other goals more easily.

If you were to create a playlist of your favorite songs, what would be the top three tracks on it?

One of the groups that would be on there would be Queen. They've been one of the biggest groups in my life since I was a kid. So many of their famous songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "I Want to Break Free," and "We Are the Champions" would be at the top of my playlist.

Are there any specific goals or projects that you're currently working on, either outside or inside the school?

I'm in the process of obtaining my Italian residency. I hope to get my full residency in Italy soon, as I'm from outside of the European Union, so having a residency in Italy would be meaningful to me. Also because Italy has a big place in my heart!

How much time have you been in Italy?

 I've been here for five full years, and this is my sixth year on staff.

What are the things that you missed the most from your country when you first came to Italy?

 One of the biggest things, as always, is family and friends. Living outside my country for over 20 years, I've become accustomed to not having certain foods or things from home. But I do miss having close proximity to the people I love, especially during certain times of the year.

Have you always taught?

 No, I've had various other jobs. I worked for the British government in the health ministry, recruiting people. I've also worked in bars, care homes, and as a pastoral youth worker for my church, helping people who were struggling with issues like addiction and incarceration.

Could you tell us some funny things that happened to you here that you won't forget about? 

I can't think of a specific hilarious occasion, but I enjoy witty humor, especially when my students play with words. I love seeing them understand the funny side of language and jokes, even if they're a bit naughty or rude.

When have you felt most alive in your life? What makes you feel most alive?

 I'll give you two examples. At times when I've been deeply involved with my faith, I've felt energized and alive. Also, when I lived in Bangladesh as a teacher, the country's uniqueness and the warmth of its people made me feel incredibly alive and connected.

If you could live in one film for a week, what would it be? 

I'm not sure if I'd want to live in a film for a week <laugh>, but if I had to choose, I'm drawn to serious films that tackle big issues. Films like "Mississippi Burning" that deal with racial tensions and social change, fascinate me.

Are there any books that you're currently enjoying?

  I'm currently reading "The Ode Less Travelled" by Stephen Fry, which explores the humorous side of poetry.

Let's do some much more serious questions! Alright, let's go, Andiamo!

Do you have any regrets in your life?

 I try not to dwell on regrets because you can't change the past. However, looking back, I sometimes wish I had planned certain things differently, particularly in terms of time management.

If teaching never existed, what would you do now?

If teaching weren't an option, I might pursue something more artistic, like writing or broadcasting. I enjoy communication in various forms, so a career in media production or news broadcasting might have been appealing.

Do you have one big dream that you had when you were a kid that you think you've achieved now?

 When I was younger, I wanted to live and work in Europe, which I've accomplished. Though I didn't become a translator as I initially envisioned, living abroad and experiencing different cultures fulfills that childhood dream of adventure and exploration.