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EDUCO

About

We are a non-profit association concerned with promoting student-centred teaching/learning through the application of theatre and drama practices. Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, EDUCO utilizes the power of theatre and drama within a didactic framework to successfully teach English to Italian children all across Italy.

Our touring Theatre In Education company, TEATRINO, is acclaimed within both academic and theatre disciplines for an extensive repertoire which is the largest and most diverse of its kind in Italy. Drama is used as a powerful and effective ESL tool.

In addition to Teatrino, we offer other projects which include; Theatre In Education (TIE) Days, English Summer Camps (held across Italy for Italian students), CLIL workshops(Content and Language Integrated Learning), and Teacher Training workshops.

EDUCO recruits actors, performers, musicians, tutors, teachers, and trainers from all over the world who are native English-speakers.

Website
educoitaly.com
Founded
2006

Reviews

Default avatar
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer ever

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)!!

Pros
  • Seeing new places and meeting new people
  • Authentic Italian family experience through host families
  • Fun games for both kids and tutors
Cons
  • Some camp directors can have different visions than you, but this is rare
  • You will be a little tired sometimes
Default avatar
Anonymous
2/5
No, I don't recommend this program

This could be great or not so great

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 (!).

Pros
  • Italy is gorgeous
  • For Americans living abroad, it can be hard to find opportunities that pay you during the summer considering the visa & work permit situation
  • There are some really great people you will bond with along the way
Cons
  • Prepare for non-paid weeks on hold
  • Prepare to not teach in a classroom. Maybe you teach outside (& Italy is hot)
  • There is not any time to rest in between camps. Saturday is the last day in one city & Sunday is the first day in the next.
Default avatar
Kirsty
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Couldn't have asked for a better experience!

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.

Pros
  • Meeting great people
  • Travelling opportunities
Default avatar
Pilar
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best teaching and cultural experience ever!

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!

Pros
  • Teaching experiences
  • Italian culture
  • Professional growth
Cons
  • Time passes by so fast :(
Default avatar
Sam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Decision I’ve Made

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!

Pros
  • Lifelong friends
  • Stunning locations
  • Unique experiences

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I was told by a few friends I met while working across Italy that their experience doing camps was fantastic they only had positive things to share. They all had such wonderful stories about host families and meeting other tutors from around the world.

I have always dreamed of visiting Italy, and I couldn't believe getting paid to sing and dance with Italian kids and travel around Italy was an option.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Educo takes care of your accommodation while you're in camps, and you have three free meals a day generously cooked by your Italian hosts. They also get all of your train tickets and arrange any transportation to and from train stations to your net host. All you have to do is be at the right place at the right time.

Getting to Italy is on you! Because it's on a Study Grant basis, no need to worry about visa paperwork and processing. Just apply and buy your flight over! Easy peasy.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Learn some Italian! I think it's self-explanatory. Just makes the whole experience a lot smoother. Though playing charades is great fun when you really need to get a point across to your hosts and pretty common in a country where they speak with their hands all the time anyway. However, on days off when you want to go exploring, it really comes in handy to get around with a little Italian.

Also, pack light! You'll be wearing your EDUCO TUTOR shirts for work every weekday. Pack the essentials and a few nice outfits. Having too much luggage is a bummer to lug around buses, trains, and planes every weekend when you switch host families. Also, leave more room to fill your bag with Italian clothes. Trust me, you'll be shopping.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day at camp goes like this:

  • 9 AM: Morning Circle All the tutors and campers get in a big circle and sing energizing English camp songs and play games for half an hour. (It’s honestly my personal favorite part of the day and the best way to wake up in the mornings.)
  • 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM: English Lessons You and your individual class do English-based learning activities, games, and worksheets, with a snack break in between.
  • 12:30 PM – 2 PM Lunch Everyone eats together. Sometimes, the camp has a canteen/cafeteria if you're in a school. The tutors then get a half hour break and then another half hour to all set up the afternoon activity together.
  • 2 PM – 5 PM: Afternoon Activities Every day, the tutors set up a different game to play all together. Examples are water games with balloons and hoses and sponges, Safari Day where the kids paint the tutors as animals and have to run around outdoors and catch all the animals, Scavenger Hunt with maps, TRashion Show where kids have a time limit to create the best outfit with recycled materials, Culture Day where the kids get to do activities from all the different countries that the tutors come from. For example, I come from Northern Canada so I had the kids watch a short video of northern lights; we made paper snowflakes in one camp, we played floor hockey with brooms and tape rolls, and in another camp, we made "S’mores" over a tiny candle fire. They loved it!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was feeling lonely being far from home and the people I am closest to. The first week of camp, you work with 40 people all in the same shoes from across the globe. It's amazing because everyone is sharing the same fears and discomforts at first, and you make 40 new friends in a few days.

Every camp, you work with new people and live with a new family and are always surrounded by people to talk to and share with and listen to. Never once did I feel lonely. I've made some of the most important friends in my life this summer!

Is there anything you would have done differently?

I wish I had brought something from home to give to the families – even a small postcard or piece of home. The families are so generous when you're with them, and make sure you have the best time in their town/city. Being able to give them something back from my home would have been nice.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sophia Trozzo

Job Title
International HR Manager
Sophia is international HR manager for EDUCO's summer camps program since 2016. In addition to overseeing the recruitment process for over 200 educators annually, she is also responsible for allocating tutors to camps across the country and serving as their first point of contact throughout the program. She is based in Sanremo, but coordinates nationally with a team of EDUCO collaborators.
A group of participants posing in matching t-shirts

What is your favorite travel memory?

I have so many wonderful travel memories! It would be impossible to only choose one.

Snorkelling along the coral reef in Egypt's Red Sea, camel riding at sunset in the Sahara desert, racing (literally) through the Hermitage in St. Petersburg with my 13 month old daughter, solo travelling through Vienna, Prague and Budapest during the Christmas holidays, living in Paris (my favourite city) as a student, are only a few of the many treasured experiences that come to mind.

Unlike other countries, I've had the privilege of getting to know Italy profoundly and over a long period of time, largely thanks to my work teaching and recruiting for EDUCO. Some of my most precious memories in La Bella Paese include: long train rides from the north to south (I recall one particular journey of 12+ hours from Elba Island to Ricadi, Calabria where I watched one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life from my window), hiking in the mountains near Bergamo, having my taste buds awakened by Puglia's delightful and original culinary traditions, drives along the Amalfi coast, and day trips to Liguria's small, colourful fishing and mountain villages.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I moved to Italy from Montreal (Canada) in the summer of 2015, to begin a career in education in the country of my roots. Since then I've worked with dozens of people from various educational backgrounds - each of whom have shaped my vision for my work. My Italian language skills have greatly improved and I've gained invaluable insight into working within a bilingual environment. I've learned that providing young people with opportunities to work and travel in a foreign country is an enormous responsibility that, when taken seriously and carried out with passion, reaps immense joy and can even change lives.

But the biggest change for me personally undoubtedly came from becoming a mom. The experience of giving birth in Italy, away from my family and friends, and now raising my daughter here, has added an entirely new and incomparable dimension to my relationship with this country. I want to do the best work I am capable of, for her. I want her to grow up in an Italy that recognises the importance of learning languages, that celebrates ethnic diversity and cultural exchange. And I'm so happy she will grow up with access to my work environment, because it provides a window into all of that, and much more.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Each summer I receive dozens of emails from tutors who have completed our program and gained new perspectives. People write to say that, following our program, they are considering changing careers, or want to find full time teaching work in Italy, or that they've made friends for life. Sometimes they write to thank me for sending them to a location they were initially hesitant about, or for trusting them to handle a certain type of project or assignment. There is nothing more satisfying then seeing the people you've recruited grow, professionally and personally, over the course of a summer.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

Hands down our camps! I spent three summers as a tutor on our program and they are among some of my best experiences. EDUCO camps offer an incredible opportunity to travel to unique parts of Italy while doing meaningful work with children and meeting people from all across the world. Our tutors come dozens of countries, including: USA, UK, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

In addition, you get to live with Italian families, who offer you a direct link to the culture - an opportunity to learn more of the language, the local secrets and specialities, and indulge in their region's cuisine. Your accommodation is provided and EDUCO covers all transport between camps, so your expenses (apart from your flight of course) are few to none. Plus, you earn a generous study grant for each week in camp, and a TEFL certificate following completion of the program.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We are always striving to be competitive and attract the best talent for our programs. We recognise that this means setting a standard that is attractive for applicants across the world.

Currently, we provide the highest compensation of any summer camps program in Italy (and among the highest in the EU). We are the only company in Italy that offers a Theatre in Education program for children. We also provide outstanding networking opportunities on a national level, following the completion of our programs, with many of our recruits going on to accept full time or part time work in Italy via our collaborators and contacts.

Our staff are demonstrated experts in their respective fields and are continuously building on their education and training in order to provide the best for our new recruits.

EDUCO is a network of dozens of dedicated individuals across the Italian peninsula, from north to south. I don't think it can be stated enough, how difficult an undertaking it is to harmonize so many projects across great geographical and regional differences, but we do it! And I believe we're successful at it because, at the core of what we do is a strong human component. We are always feeding off of one another for ideas, ways to communicate better or synchronise our messages more thoroughly. Each year we involve over 100 000 Italian children and teachers in our programs. What we are able to accomplish on a national level annually makes me especially proud.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in EDUCO's success has been strong, visionary leadership. Leadership that, at its core, allows the best characteristics and abilities of every person in our network and on our team to flourish. This, coupled with our ability to adapt to the needs of an ever changing world, and a gradually changing Italy, has made us a game changer.