Exchange and Experience Italian Lifestyles While Teaching Abroad

My time in the Trentino was a very fulfilling and educating experience. I spent 6 weeks during January and February living in a small town with a dynamic, warm-hearted host family, who taught me so much: I experienced an immersion into their daily lives and greatly improved my Italian. Living in the middle of the mountains was a beautiful experience, as I find it to be an environment which truly calms me. I also greatly enjoyed exploring the surrounding cities during the weekends: for example, Verona, Venice and Milan. There is only one thing I would have done differently in my experience: I recommend you plan your experience in the Trentino in the spring/summer months, as the region is even more beautiful during this time. Nevertheless, the landscape was still spectacular during my stay in the Winter and I am very happy with my experience.

In addition to tutoring my host family in English and German, I supported language teaching in the local primary schools 3 times a week. This was an unpaid but extremely fulfilling job, and I will remember the students very fondly.
My experience of 6 weeks flew by, and I gained so much from it: linguistically and emotionally.

Before coming to Italy, I had just finished university and I was nervous to move to a new country on my own for the first time in my life- but this experience was the perfect introduction to the country!! It gave me an amazing opportunity to immerse into the culture and I really enjoyed doing trips with my host family, such as hiking by the lakes or in the mountains. Some of my favourite memories include eating spetzl at nonna's house, going to an outdoor piano concert at the Santuario San Romedio (where Bruno the bear lives), and getting pushed to my limits with a strenuous but unforgettable mountain bike ride. I will always cherish these memories and I am so grateful for this program for giving me the opportunity to make them, because I wouldn't have been to do this as a normal tourist.

I truly feel like I have made a connection with Trentino and the people for life, and I now think of my host family (and their extended family and friends!) as my second family. Sabrina takes such care in matching tutors and families and again, I am so grateful for this! Already, after leaving Trentino at the end of July, I've been back to visit my host family twice and I certainly plan to see them again soon!!

Looking back at 2019, the five weeks I spent in Trentino, in the summer were certainly unforgettable. This program is based in one of the most beautiful places in Italy, the mountains are simply breathtaking. In addition to the amazing landscape this program allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Italian culture. In the short time I spent there, I truly learned so much I couldn’t have discovered if I had just visited as a tourist. My job was to teach English to the children in my host family, but I was also able to learn some Italian myself. Another thing that makes this program special is the thorough process of matching tutors with families. I was fully embraced by my host family who were the most welcoming and warmest people I have ever met. If you are looking to experience the Italian culture, to be surrounded by an amazing group of people and to enjoy the beauty of nature, I definitely recommend this program with Joinki.

Some time ago, after I finished my Abitur in the summer, I decided to take a year off and go abroad to various countries, to volunteer and make experiences. During my time in Kenya I already planned my next trip and stumbled upon the website of Joinki. As I didn't plan much time ahead, I had the expectation of my plan being too short ahead of time. But I contacted the agency and got an immediate response, with all the informations and dates needed. After writing and sending my application forms, I got in contact with the agency partner in Trentino, a very friendly and open minded woman, called Sabrina, who will require you to have several Skype meetings, in order to realise if you are fitted for the program and if there is a host family that could fit your personality and habits. As soon as she matches you, you get the information about the family, and get in contact with them. All over, the bureaucracy is very easy and comfortable, without any complications, long waiting times or anything else. Arriving there I met the Sabrina who, according to my wishes to work in a school, already made an appointment at the nearest school, enabling me to get to know the teachers and to decide on the lessons I want to help in.
She also gave me a lot of information about the Val di Non and Trentino in general, where to go and what to see. She also gives you the Trentino Guest Card, which allows you to travel for free in whole Trentino and visit Museums, Castles and tourist attractions for free.
She herself also took me on trips to spend time together and talk about problems or difficulties. The work in the school was very fulfilling but of course also quit exhausting as I took a lot of hours which also require preparation. In my free time I worked with a girl from the University Trient on the Tandem Program, on which you can sign up through Sabrina. It is a great opportunity to meet someone your age to go out with and to form a new friendship. Also I visited towns, like Bozen and Meran. You also have the opportunity to go see Milano and Verona and of course the mountains are an attraction for themselves :)

It's now come to the end of 2019 and I have to say the best part of the year was my 6 weeks in Trentino with Joinki. For me, going abroad on my own was completely new and scary but with Joinki I felt incredibly supported and welcomed. What makes them special is that they take EXTRA care in matching you with a family so both of you have a wonderful experience.
For me, it was exactly that. The family I spent my summer were the warmest, kindest people you could meet and treated me like I was another member of the family. I love them so so dearly and can't wait to see them again hopefully next year.
If you are looking for a way to enhance your Italian skills/teaching/culture knowledge whilst having an incredible experience in the most beautiful part of Italy then I can't recommend it enough. Grazie Mille Joinki <3

If you are wondering wether or not to do this program, I would tell you : DO IT! I came from Canada to leave the city life for a little bit and to learn more about the Italian lifestyle, and I was not disappointed. During my 4 weeks stay in the region of Trento, I taught English to a very welcoming Italian family, but I also had the chance to learn some Italian myself! I felt like I was a member of the family from the moment I met my host family and I got to visit so many places all around Italy with them! This program is truly genuine and I created life-long friendships that I will never forget! Another point that really made this program unforgettable is the care and the support that Sabrina gave me right from the start! If you love nature, family values, learning new things and adventures, this is for you!

My experience with the Joinki Language Tutor Program was amazing, during the six weeks of my stay in Italy I didn't only teach English to some of the greatest people I've ever met but had the opportunity to take part in fun activities such as visiting some local castles, wineries and beautiful Italian cities. My host family was clearly selected with care and they were some of the warmest and most welcoming people I've ever met. Also, during my stay I really felt like I was cared for and looked after and everyone I met wanted to make sure I had the best time of my life. This program enabled me to have a summer of my life and I feel very grateful. If you've a passion for languages and love Italy this program is definitely worth getting into!!

I had an amazing time with Joinki. From the thorough host family selection to the great efforts made by Joinki to get volunteers free transportation and guest passes to see local attractions, the Joinki experience went above and beyond what I expected from a volunteer program. During the initial interview, Joinki assesses your personality to determine which of their many eager families is right for you. Joinki also organizes events with other volunteers that are integrative and give you a taste of the authentic North Italian lifestyle! These things show just how committed Joinki is to giving volunteers the best experience possible. The program also takes place in Trentino: a beautiful mountainous region in Northern Italy. There is so much to see and do. I would definitely recommend the program!