Why did you choose this program?
Educo marked my endeavor to apply my teaching knowledge outside my home country, in my second language within a domain of my greatest interest: performance and play in education. Initially, I aspired to cultivate a career while engaging in summertime work abroad, and Italy emerged as an appealing option due to its cultural similarities with Greece. During my first exploration of international work opportunities, Educo prominently surfaced in my search inquiries. The organization's comprehensive website provided me with further insights, giving me a solid foundation to conceptualize its working ethos and educational objectives. Encouraged by this discovery, I embraced the opportunity, willingly assuming the associated risks.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The decision to embark on my international work experience was wholly autonomous, necessitating meticulous planning and organization of my responsibilities and travel arrangements. This process involved the submission of an application through the Educo website, followed by the requirement to provide a video showcasing the implementation of one of my teaching activities from an experiential standpoint. Subsequently, I was prompted to complete my profile on the Educo platform, facilitating communication with the individuals overseeing my training and placement within the summer camps in Italy.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
I highly recommend seizing the opportunity to engage with Educo and explore the prospect of working abroad, particularly if you are an English teacher inclined towards implementing lesson plans through experiential and non-formal methodologies, particularly within the realms of performance, drama, music, art, and play. An additional dimension to consider entails the necessity of periodic travel to diverse locations, necessitating adaptability to new environments, embracing Italian hospitality, and adjusting to new teaching contexts.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
My daily work with Educo entails a commitment from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, particularly if opting to participate in non-residential or other specialized camps. Moreover, additional time is typically allocated for early arrival and late departure to facilitate preparatory activities and reflective sessions with fellow tutors and the camp director, respectively. Educo provides a very structured framework of the tasks required to implement, supplemented by recommendations provided within their accompanying guidebook. The morning sessions feature individualized instruction, while the afternoon sessions, following snack time and lunch, typically involve collaborative hands-on activities with all tutors, engaging students across various proficiency levels.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
The decision to embark on overseas employment presented a degree of uncertainty for me, particularly given the absence of prior insights or feedback from colleagues who had previously collaborated with Educo. Chief among my apprehensions was whether the organization's pedagogical approach would align with my instructional objectives and expectations and whether the transient nature of moving between camps and accommodation arrangements with various Italian families would give me a sense of sustained comfort over an extended duration of time. After numerous email exchanges and a phone call with the person responsible for my training and camp allocations, followed by informal exchanges with my trainers, my concerns were considerably answered.
