Thumbnail

Joinki

Why choose Joinki?

Our new program in Trentino, starting from 2016, offers young people the opportunity to experience a new way of cultural exchange. At the very beginning selected tutors (English and German mother tongue) will be hosted in families in the Autonomous Province of Trento in order to give them the opportunity to teach their mother tongue language. The Autonomous Province of Trento has developed a new and innovative project in order to strongly promote foreign language awareness and capabilities in the young generation.

Reviews

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

Perfetto!

Words cannot express my gratitude and admiration to Sabrina’s for her passion and vision in creating this language program. Because Joinki, I came away with an understanding of Italia that I never would have had before, had I just been a tourist. I came back to the United States with my heart full of love and memories, and a brand new family. I would go back in a heartbeat to invest in the relationships that I created while I was there. This was a life-changing experience for which I am truly grateful!

Pros
  • New family and friends
  • Immersion into culture and art and history
  • Love
Cons
  • None
Default avatar
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unmatched Language immersion!

My time in the Trentino was a very fulfilling and educating experience. I spent 6 weeks during January and February living in a small town with a dynamic, warm-hearted host family, who taught me so much: I experienced an immersion into their daily lives and greatly improved my Italian. Living in the middle of the mountains was a beautiful experience, as I find it to be an environment which truly calms me. I also greatly enjoyed exploring the surrounding cities during the weekends: for example, Verona, Venice and Milan. There is only one thing I would have done differently in my experience: I recommend you plan your experience in the Trentino in the spring/summer months, as the region is even more beautiful during this time. Nevertheless, the landscape was still spectacular during my stay in the Winter and I am very happy with my experience.

In addition to tutoring my host family in English and German, I supported language teaching in the local primary schools 3 times a week. This was an unpaid but extremely fulfilling job, and I will remember the students very fondly.
My experience of 6 weeks flew by, and I gained so much from it: linguistically and emotionally.

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

Life-changing and unforgettable experience!

Before coming to Italy, I had just finished university and I was nervous to move to a new country on my own for the first time in my life- but this experience was the perfect introduction to the country!! It gave me an amazing opportunity to immerse into the culture and I really enjoyed doing trips with my host family, such as hiking by the lakes or in the mountains. Some of my favourite memories include eating spetzl at nonna's house, going to an outdoor piano concert at the Santuario San Romedio (where Bruno the bear lives), and getting pushed to my limits with a strenuous but unforgettable mountain bike ride. I will always cherish these memories and I am so grateful for this program for giving me the opportunity to make them, because I wouldn't have been to do this as a normal tourist.

I truly feel like I have made a connection with Trentino and the people for life, and I now think of my host family (and their extended family and friends!) as my second family. Sabrina takes such care in matching tutors and families and again, I am so grateful for this! Already, after leaving Trentino at the end of July, I've been back to visit my host family twice and I certainly plan to see them again soon!!

Pros
  • No stress, you are looked after well!
  • So many opportunities to explore- free transport and entrance to heaps of places
  • Trentino is one of the most beautiful places in the world
Cons
  • The only con I can think of is that we have to leave at the end :(
Default avatar
Aquila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An authentic Italian experience

Looking back at 2019, the five weeks I spent in Trentino, in the summer were certainly unforgettable. This program is based in one of the most beautiful places in Italy, the mountains are simply breathtaking. In addition to the amazing landscape this program allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Italian culture. In the short time I spent there, I truly learned so much I couldn’t have discovered if I had just visited as a tourist. My job was to teach English to the children in my host family, but I was also able to learn some Italian myself. Another thing that makes this program special is the thorough process of matching tutors with families. I was fully embraced by my host family who were the most welcoming and warmest people I have ever met. If you are looking to experience the Italian culture, to be surrounded by an amazing group of people and to enjoy the beauty of nature, I definitely recommend this program with Joinki.

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

Joinki - a lifetime experience

Some time ago, after I finished my Abitur in the summer, I decided to take a year off and go abroad to various countries, to volunteer and make experiences. During my time in Kenya I already planned my next trip and stumbled upon the website of Joinki. As I didn't plan much time ahead, I had the expectation of my plan being too short ahead of time. But I contacted the agency and got an immediate response, with all the informations and dates needed. After writing and sending my application forms, I got in contact with the agency partner in Trentino, a very friendly and open minded woman, called Sabrina, who will require you to have several Skype meetings, in order to realise if you are fitted for the program and if there is a host family that could fit your personality and habits. As soon as she matches you, you get the information about the family, and get in contact with them. All over, the bureaucracy is very easy and comfortable, without any complications, long waiting times or anything else. Arriving there I met the Sabrina who, according to my wishes to work in a school, already made an appointment at the nearest school, enabling me to get to know the teachers and to decide on the lessons I want to help in.
She also gave me a lot of information about the Val di Non and Trentino in general, where to go and what to see. She also gives you the Trentino Guest Card, which allows you to travel for free in whole Trentino and visit Museums, Castles and tourist attractions for free.
She herself also took me on trips to spend time together and talk about problems or difficulties. The work in the school was very fulfilling but of course also quit exhausting as I took a lot of hours which also require preparation. In my free time I worked with a girl from the University Trient on the Tandem Program, on which you can sign up through Sabrina. It is a great opportunity to meet someone your age to go out with and to form a new friendship. Also I visited towns, like Bozen and Meran. You also have the opportunity to go see Milano and Verona and of course the mountains are an attraction for themselves :)

What would you improve about this program?
I would wish so much for the program to grow and to be able to have this experience not just in Trentino but in so much more regions of Italy, as the languages are so important and Italy is a stunning country.

Programs

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

Alumni Interviews

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

Why did you choose this program?

JOINKI's purpose statement interested me right away. They are motivated to connect foreign people with the Italian culture through language. Isn't it so simple, yet brilliant?

Moreover, JOINKI has a great team that is interested in providing the best experience for a participant. I realized this after an interview with their manager, who kindly led me through the process and the next steps to take. I was assured that this program and all the people involved really would take care of me and let me have that connection with the Italian culture JOINKI is striving for.

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

JOINKI organized a few excursions with the rest of the participants, so we were able to meet and get to know each other. Also, weekly Italian language lessons with the nicest teacher I have ever had.

On the first day of my program, the manager met me and explained about region's transportation, maps, must-visit places. Plus, she was always available if I had any questions regarding anything at all.

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

I would advise everyone who chooses JOINKI to be open-minded and ready to be mind-blown. The people and natural wonders of the region will give you the best experience of your life. Get up early every morning to watch sunrise (you are not going to regret it); you will also get done more this way.

Also, try to step out of your comfort zone in that way you will actually be able to learn some new aspects of life in a different country. Additionally, try to bring your own materials (children books, dictionaries, textbooks) to teach a language that you will. It saves up so much time and makes the process easier since you will come prepared.

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

You would spend 3-4 hours a day on teaching English to family members. If you choose to do it in the morning, you would have more time to go around and explore the region during the rest of the day. To be completely honest, your schedule in this program depends on your agreement with a family you are staying with.

There will be a few meetings with JOINKI participants that you will schedule beforehand and, of course, weekly Italian language lesson that you schedule with your own teacher. Weekends are free for you to wander further away from the region.

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

I didn't really know what to expect because it was my first experience abroad all by myself. I was afraid that of a thought that I won't like it and that I would feel too homesick that I would quit.

I overcame my fears when I met a wonderful family I was staying with. They really made me feel safe and like home. Also, the JOINKI team who constantly checked up on me and encouraged me to explore Italy with them. I forgot about all those fears within a first few days in the country. It was amazing how fast I felt good being in a foreign country.

What did you like most in the program?

JOINKI became like a family to me. I still keep in touch with the manager and the family I taught English to. We joke around, we share news. Now that I think about it, I wouldn't have spent my summer anywhere else. If I could, I would have stayed for longer even.

This program made me feel welcome. I can truly say that I got that unique taste of culture and I lived like a true Italian, which was one of the best experiences of my life.

Staff Interviews

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

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was living in Belgium at the age of 17 for one year as an exchange student. The program I applied for gave me an opportunity to get in touch with a lot of different cultures and a lot of different life styles. I had a chance to study and live with Belgian people and most of all to be fluent in French . I understood the importance of communication and acceptance and especially the importance of not judging straightaway what looks different but trying to understand it with an open mind.

Why should an applicant choose Joinki?

Joinki’s main motto is “Languages are the connector between cultures and people”. Language is not just a part of a country or culture, it is a way of thinking, the way of living. To understand this concept is nowadays extremely prominent. That’s what Joinki offers and that’s why I believe an applicant should choose our program. Joinki gives the opportunity to connect the Italian culture and language to other realities where both language tutors and host families gain advantages.

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

One of our tutors wrote: “I’m so happy that I was able to live with a real Italian family and travel through Italy not like a tourist, but like I were one of the citizens”. That’s what Joinki also wants to show: that there is a possibility to live a real experience with a real Italian family in a true Italian environment.

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

The program Joinki offers is in my opinion a great opportunity to take. If I were an applicant I would definitely choose it! Joinki’s program is a true cocktail of culture, language, people, nature, wonderful experiences and great achievements. Joinki tutors have the possibility to put themselves on the line, to let Italian people discover their language and culture, and in return tutors are able to explore Italian natural and cultural heritage and to learn a different from their own life style.

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

What differentiates Joinki’s program from other cultural programs is its continuous search for the best quality and best experiences to offer to its participants. Every tutor is unique and Joinki offers him/her its customized and exclusive experience. I’m proud of Joinki’s team every time we receive positive feedback from our participants. They encourage us to go on and improve. It’s important to us to understand that we are on a right track.

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

People are, of course, a biggest factor in being a successful company. Working in a team gives the company way more ideas and inspirations than one of the members just working alone. Moreover, it is not just who works for Joinki who makes it successful, but also the tutors and host families who are continuously giving the company a big urge and motivation.