Summer 2024 Participant
For any future students, I would greatly suggest that when you decide to apply to this program, and I strongly suggest you do, that you should immediately start to study a little bit of Italian, because even by just knowing some basic conversation language or simple phrases, will help aid you in your adventures in Italy and having interactions without you having to rely on Google Translate so much.
Summer 2024 Participant
I learned so much on this trip, but maybe most importantly I learned how it feels to be a second language learner and what is really important to look for when teaching students who are second language learners.
Summer 2025 Participant
I would say that living with a host family was one of the best parts and what truly allowed you to get the most of the culture. I got to learn about and make so many differnt kinds of foods that I ended up bring and trying at home. I also leanred and taught them games, which helped us bond. They are a second family to me now and I still talk to them every day.
Summer 2025 Participant
I learned that flexibility and an open mind are key when adjusting to a new culture. It is important to embrace new routines, traditions, and perspectives, even if they feel unfamiliar at first. I also learned how valuable it is to connect with others through patience and curiosity, which future students will find helpful when navigating both school and daily life abroad.
Summer 2025 Participant
I found hearing students speak correct English after a lesson to be the most rewarding. With my students, I did a lesson about preference verbs. Each student then had to use these verbs while speaking about their favorite foods. It was great practice for them and a great way for me to get to know them better!
Summer 2024 Participant
I found the most rewarding that I was in a small town, in which the citizens did not speak much English. This pushed me out of my comfort zone to try my best to communicate with them and I found it to be highly rewarding connecting with those around me. I also found that teaching the students English was also rewarding. They loved to learn and were so eager to participate. I found that when they were making connections and trying to speak to me, it was an indescribable feeling.
Summer 2025 Participant
The most rewarding element of this program has to be the experience as a language learner in schools. Being put in an Italian school (and home), where I barely knew the language, helped to give me some perspective into what learning is like for my future students who may be ELL's.
Summer 2026 Participant
It is important for full cultural immersion and for being good tourists that you try and learn what Italian you can. A lot of the people on the trip could barely speak any Italian, if at all, and all too often had to force the Italians to speak English. It also helps with communication with your host family, and it is just good to learn another language.
Summer 2024 Participant
I learned that having a host family makes the experience so much more rewarding, fulfilling and meaningful. This is something that many people are hesitant about (myself included) at first but without the connections, I know this program would not have meant nearly as much as it did.
