EDUCO: Teach English in Italy at Summer Camps

This was such a great experience on so many levels -- you acquire new skills or build on old ones through the variety of activities you learn to teach as a tutor; imparting language knowledge becomes instinctive and second nature. The host families are all so generous and kind, and really eager to share everything with tutors (I still speak to two of mine every week!). The places are often beautiful and you get a real feel of authentic life in them through the host families. The relationships with other tutors, helpers, camp directors and staff makes for a great working environment and what better place to work than sunny Italy?? Good for your CV but more importantly, it's an enriching experience on a personal level. Absolutely recommend (as long as you're prepared for a small dose of occasional Mediterranean chaos and fun)!!

When I applied to this camp, there were things I wish I would've known or paid more attention to and I feel like I would be doing a disservice if I didn't share these things. I would like to remain anonymous so that I can express my experience freely because I want others considering this program to be equipped when making their decision. Here are my top 10 things you should know about working for them:

1. You may be put on hold in Sanremo or Milan. In the Milan flat, there are 2 rooms (and an extra room which is reserved for a team leader), 7 beds, 2 bathrooms, 1 shower, one mini fridge, & many mosquitos. I have **heard** that the San Remo flat isn't the cleanest and doesn't have a washing machine. Last year they overhired, so being put on hold was likely.
Also, you are not paid during hold. I would suggest having some money saved up before coming. You have the choice of traveling around while you are on hold. But, bear in mind, this is the summertime in Italy (in Europe, in general)--- things are pricey.

2. The host families are usually very nice and can make the experience wonderful. I have heard of some host families taking in some tutors when they are put on hold. However, sometimes there are members who aren't fully on board w a host kid. Sometimes it was one person who had to convince the family to host, and you can tell. I have *heard* of stories where there were fights around the dinner table about hosting. Sometimes you aren't going to bond with your host family. It's normal, but you should still remain respectful. They had a good section where the leaders talked about respect in Italian households during orientation that I found very beneficial.

3. They typically place you in a small town (which are nice). If you are looking to only be in big cities the whole time, please do not have this expectation.

4. Teaching facilities can vary: maybe a school, or maybe you're outside. I know some tutors who had to teach outside in the heat. It's random.

5. You have to be flexible. If you are looking for stability such as knowing exactly where you are going, exactly how much money you are going to end up with, exactly which age group you will be teaching, and exactly what your host family will be like, you will not find that here. But in all fairness, many camps like these do not provide that. Many things are random for the tutor: host families, teaching facilities, on hold/not on hold, the city, etc. This is why I titled this "This could be great or not so great." As many great experiences that I heard about last year, I also heard negative ones. Some tutors (last year) went in with the expectation that they are going to make a stable income this summer & were put on hold for weeks. Some tutors knew exactly where they were going for camps during the summer and were able to plan their on-hold trips. Some tutors had that "Italian summer" like in the movies and were with great host families, tutors, and helpers. I even heard of some people experiencing romance. I also heard of some people having issues with their payments. I heard some people saying they can't wait to come back next summer. I heard some people vowing that they would never work for this company again. It's all random which is why I do not want to create a review that invalidates anyone's experience regarding their time with this company. I believe that people had great experiences and horrible experiences with this company.
When it comes to knowing where you are going and having a glimpse into your next destination, you are not told where you will be (for the next camp or being on hold) until Wednesday or Thursday. Camps are typically for 1 to 2 weeks, with an occasional 3 weeks. You just have to come ready for anything and be ready to be flexible.

6. As someone who still teaches, I will say that the teaching experiences and the knowledge you gain are very nice. There are many resources that I gained during my time there that I use now. Such as games, songs, attention grabbers, and other teaching resources. They also give you a handbook (to keep), and it's filled with a lot of good information to help you teach during the camp and after.

7. You may have to share a room with another tutor. I *heard* of some tutors sharing a bed.

8. Italy honestly is really beautiful. I find myself looking at my photos from last summer and reminiscing on its beauty.

9. At the beginning of August there are not a lot of camps available. Prepare to be put on hold or find somewhere to go.

10. I recommend packing light because you are moving around every few weeks, bringing a water bottle, an ice cube tray, and an electric fan (!).

Couldn’t have asked for nicer people during the oreinatation, Charlie and Kuba were literally so great. They went above and beyond to make sure we were okay. The host family I stayed with were so so so lovely, I will defo be keeping in touch with them! And the camp director was amazing also, honestly couldn’t recommended my experience enough! Would 10000% do it again. It is a great way to make friends, I got along with the people in my camp so well and still in touch with them now. Previous to this summer I had not been abroad without family/friends and it was such a good way to gain confidence with travelling.

I am an EFL teacher who had the opportunity to be part of Educo on 2021. It was awesome! I learned so much from every tutor, from the kids, from the Italian culture, I made friends, and I even got to build strong bonds with my host families. This is a very complete and well structured program that offers people the opportunity to live unique teaching experiences getting to know Italy. The cultural exchange was awesome, Italians are very welcoming and the kids were always so willing to leaen. This was an experience I will always treasure in my heart. I am definitely going back soon!

EDUCO is without a doubt the best job I’ve ever had. I have just finished my second summer working for the company and I cannot say enough amazing things about it. I’ve met the most amazing people and traveled more places than I can count in Italy. The host families I have met and lived with have been incredible and the people I have worked with have become close friends that I continue to stay in touch with. If you are looking for a summer teaching abroad look no further than EDUCO.

I have recommended EDUCO to countless friends who have applied to and loved the job when they got it as much as I do so I figured it was time for me to write a review. While with EDUCO I experienced good communication, great camps, and stunning locations all across Italy. Once again if you want to work teaching in Italy EDUCO is the place to go!

I was not sure what to expect as I had never participated in a travel abroad program. Also, I had never even been to Italy before. Orientation was both stressful and awesome as we got to learn about how the camp would be run by being campers ourselves. I actually felt like a little kid during orientation and saw how fun it must be from their presepective. It was a bit stressful as we had to learn a million songs and games but it all was useful when camps started. We were provided books so that we would have references to use and prepare lesson plans as well as afternoon activities for the camp day. I got to meet and work with so many people from different places of the world and also got to live and experience Italian culture first hand. My host families were incredible and we got to stay in places that most people wouldn't even know existed. And don't even get me started on the food! Many of my fellow tutors taught me more and inspired me. It was amazing to be a part of such great teams. I was always just a message away from Sophia or orientation leaders if I needed support with anything. The only tough time I had was when I was working with tutors who did not seem to want to be there and I had to be more energetic. I definitely challenged myself this summer and feel accomplished. This program is a great way to travel throughout Italy and not just be a tourist but more involved. It is also a wonderful way to meet people who are likeminded and enjoy teaching and traveling. When I felt overwhelmed I requested a hold to travel through Italy as well. Overall a wonderful program with a dedicated staff and I hope to participate next summer if given the opportunity. This summer was truly an amazing one and I am so glad I got to be a part of EDUCO.

I would highly recommend EDUCO. This was probably the best summer of my life. Orientation is so much fun, you meet people from all across the world (although mostly white, I will say, which I hope EDUCO works on in the future) and play games, learn songs, and learn very useful information about how to teach. I felt comfortable with the people I was around; my only regret was that I didn't get to know everyone sooner.
Educo is hard, and can be stressful sometimes. Especially for people who think it's just gonna be a cool trip around italy while you get paid. You are a teacher, and your first responsibility is the kids and making sure they are having a memorable experience while learning English. I had a great time because I took that seriously. I know there were some people who did not take that seriously, and they had a tougher time with Educo. Someone admitted to me that they don't even like kids or wanna be a teacher, they just came here to travel around Italy for cheap, and it broke my heart. If you truly love teaching and are willing to throw yourself headfirst into this experience, then you will have an unforgettable summer. If you are rude, negative, unwilling, making excuses, not showing improvement during orientation, or not taking your job seriously (or racist and transphobic, as I found some people to be), then you will probably not have the best time with Educo, which I think is fair. You do this for the kids and for the love of teaching, not for your own personal enjoyment of Italy, although that definitely is a plus :).
I stayed with host families (one of which I consider my own family now), lived on a horse ranch where I taught a bunch of Italian girls the Cotton Eyed Joe, stayed at an airbnb outside of Rome and went to see the Colosseum every day after camp, stayed at a beach resort for 2 weeks where I had the best 22nd birthday ever, explored Milan when I was on hold, and got to travel to Genova and Bologna when it was all done.
I met amazing, unforgettable kids. Even if they tested my patience for 4 days straight, I was crying on the 5th day when I had to say goodbye.
I made friends with (almost) every tutor I worked with. I say almost because there were some people I just did not vibe with outside of camp, which I think doesn't matter as long as you work well together professionally, and I did work well with all the tutors I was placed with.
The only negative thing I can think of is how gender identity, as a nonbinary person, was brushed aside. During orientation, a leader of a group I was in asked "are there any pronouns I should know about?" and the way that it was phrased made me feel like I would be in trouble if I spoke up about the fact that I go by they, she, and he. The person then said "You won't see that in Italy", which I knew going in - Italy is a very gender binary country - but in my first week of camp I met an amazing trans kid who did go by they/them. Just wanted to bring it up so it isn't swept under the rug again and so more nonbinary and trans people feel like they don't have to hide their identity. I know that person had no ill will, and I believe Educo can work on improving this.
Overall, EDUCO is an amazing program for those who actually have a passion for teaching and working with kids. You'll meet incredible people, teach hilarious kids, eat amazing food, see unforgettable places, and learn about a beautiful culture, if you're willing to jump in head first and push yourself. I can't wait to do this again next year.

I have been working with Educo for two years now in their TEFL-PP programs, teaching and touring Italy during the summers. I don't even know where to begin to explain how much I have personally and professionally grown as an individual, a teacher, and a team player. As a half-Italian, half-Peruvian woman living in Canada, I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore one of my ancestral countries and to fully immerse myself in it during the magical summers, but the idea that you are just coming to travel and have fun is a big misconception that I noticed during my two years - especially with teachers who are just starting out. When you sign on to work with Educo, be clear that you are coming to work, grow, and learn for long days of work (usually 9-5PM from Monday to Friday) and that doesn't always look glamourous. So much of the experience depends on the mindset that you come with, where you are personally in your own life, setting your ego aside, and to prioritize the act of serving your community through the work that you are doing.

Setting personal and professional goals for yourself would be my advice to those who are interested in this opportunity. Do you want to become a more confident teacher? Do you want to learn how to work in a team? Do you have some personal adversities as an individual that you want to overcome and you think this experience will teach provide you with those life lessons? Educo gives you all the tools that you need to feel confident going into summer camps with a week-long of intensive training led by a didactic team that has years of experience and, what has become one of my most prized possessions, a manual full of interactive and teaching material. Even outside of Italy - as a drama teacher working in Canada - I find myself going back to the manual and my experiences during the summer for inspiration, with a strong conviction in knowing that if I prepare myself ahead of time with the right materials, I have the confidence to lead any classroom. As someone who has also created lesson plans and manuals for schools, I know how much work went into that book, and I appreciate it wholeheartedly. That is a priceless gift that Educo has gifted me, one I will always be grateful for, and while I have always felt supported by the extremely hard-working, generous, and kind team that are Sophia, Giuseppe, Charlie, Kuba, James and the administration, you need to be the one making that active choice for yourself, and to realize that in this experience, much like in our whole lives, there will always be adversity and obstacles to overcome, that sometimes you won't be working with people that you connect with, that sometimes you'll miss a connection or a train, that there might be miscommunication, or maybe the town that you're in is not what you were dreaming of when you thought you were spending a summer in Italy, and that words (and the way you choose to use them) can make or break a situation and relationship, and that you can only control the way that you conduct yourself in these situations. Through all of this, of course, you have to make sure that you take care of yourself, your well being, and your energy throughout the summer.

I love the work that I do with Educo profoundly. I love the kids that we get to teach. I love seeing them become confident in themselves at the end of a class, a presentation, a game or a song. I love being able to be a little part of their journey through this company. I love meeting new people in different regions and understanding their stories. I love the life-long friendships I made with colleagues and school staff. The work that we do for this company goes beyond "a summer in Italy", you are given the opportunity to touch people's lives, to create an impact in different communities, and to be a vessel of light and safety for those kids who might be scared to learn something new.

As long as you are choosing all of this for yourself and your perspective is one of personal and professional growth, then you will also be investing in yourself through this opportunity and will never regret it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Grazie di cuore, Educo!