GeoVisions - Walk and Talk: Tutoring and Childcare in Italy

The company and its consulates (who appeared to be the bigger problem) need to make sure the family understands the guidelines of the program and sticks to them. Geovisions made everything easy before the trip and kept in good contact to answer questions. The particular family I was assigned to was wonderful the first day and then the matriarch changed overnight. Instead of the 5 hour days, 5 days a week I was contracted to work, I was working 14-16 hours every day of the week. That is not an exaggeration. The mom thought I was at her every disposal because I stayed with them and I had absolutely no free time while I was there. I only saw some of Rome's landmarks (Vatican from the outside and the Colliseum) on my last night there because the dad felt bad for me. He apologized as he brought me to the airport upon my early departure- we're talking several weeks early- and which I had to pay for. The mom said she did not have to pay me my weekly stipends for the time I was there either. The moments where I got to actually engage in activities with the children were great. They were interested in learning a few English words to coincide with what we were doing and they taught me some Italian as well. I've been a nanny in the US for years and do understand the differences in being an au pair overseas. My program was not set up for me to have 0 free time but that is what I got. When I was put in touch with the consulate (who wasn't even in Italy at the time), she seemed willing to work things out so everyone would be happy during the first phone call. After that, she said I should just go along with whatever the mom's wishes were for working hours. Her offer to place me with a different family when she returned to Italy wasn't to take place until 2 weeks later (over a month in to the program) and the mom I stayed with insisted I be out as soon as possible. She clearly did not understand what I was there for (flexible hours, yes. Working all hours? No.) and she did not want to sit down and make sure we were on the same page, following the program's guidelines. It was a shame because it seemed like a nice neighborhood- I was indoors most of my stay so I can't be entirely sure- and the rest of the family was great. I'm hoping this was an isolated incident and that others have much better experiences. I'm really bummed that I didn't have a good one, as I had been planning this for years. I will still recommend the program; it just needs some clarification. However, make sure you have every assurance about hours and pay so you don't end up being out thousands of dollars like I was. I didn't even receive any follow up about the whole ordeal.