EDUCO

Program Reviews

Kenzie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Job Ever!

Educo is perfect for teachers or university students with the summers off, or anyone wanting to explore teaching English as a second language! The camps are full of high energy kids and the teaching is done through songs, games, and engaging activities. The orientation mentors do a great job of making sure the English tutors are prepared, confident, and have all of the tools to make camps run successfully. My favorite part of the experience was staying with host families- it gives you a real look into life in Italy and a more cultural experience than you could achieve through a regular vacation. I cannot recommend the program enough :)

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to not let orientation overwhelm you or scare you away! The first few days are challenging, but you will gain confidence and not be ready to leave by the end.
Sofia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience!

I found out about EDUCO through a friend and I’m so glad I did it this summer. Great organisation from the team and if you want to come to Italy without spending a fortune and get to have a very fulfilling job then I would recommend. I would have never been to so many places if it wasn’t for this trip, non touristy places with the same Italian charm. I have made some great friends here, fellow international tutors and Italian locals (everyone was so friendly). I will definitely be doing it again!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Getting to orientation without knowing anyone was extremely scary as I would say I’m quite an introverted person. However, I then realised everyone is in the same boat as me when it came to wanting to be open to making friends. I felt so comfortable so quickly and made great friends!
Pros
  • Travelling to unknown parts of Italy
  • Making international friends
  • Eating yummy food
Cons
  • Very hot weather with no air conditioning (sometimes)
Isabella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a way to spend my summer!!

This experience was one to never be forgotten. Being able to be such a blessing and impact to the kids at the camps will stay in my heart forever. While in Italy, I had the opportunity to travel from one of the most southern parts of Italy (Sicily) all the way to Milano. Being able to be immersed in the culture and the way of living is unforgettable. As a tutor being hosted in the families houses, I found it absolutely astonishing to LIVE with the Italians and be able to be part of their family. Everyone is so welcoming and want you to feel at home and like their own child. I would say I even picked up the Italian language which was truly an experience of its own.

I would say related to the camps, the work you're expected to do was nothing I ever thought of. For example, you are expected to "teach" an hour to three hours of lessons to kids per day depending on the length of the camp. I had never had any teaching experience and being put in this position was a bit hard at the start but all I can say is by the end I got the hang of it and was enjoying it to its fullest.

Pay is the same regardless of the size of your camp. So for example one week I had a camp of 130 kids but then the other week was 13 kids. Honestly, I wasn't there for the pay though. The kids are such a blast and it is very interesting to see the different personalities comparing the south of Italy to the North.

One of my favorite parts would FOR SURE be the training week though. That was a community I will NEVER forget. Also, just the amount of people I met and connected with was truly, truly a blessing.

I would do this 100x again. I recommend it all the way.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate horse at my first camp host family. Never would I have imagined that I would eat horse haha. It was very yummy.

Pros
  • Food
  • Family
  • Experience
Cons
  • Some travel times were long in between camps
  • Pay is same for any size camp
  • Sometimes you don't always get placed where you want or with who you want
Thomas
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience, but tiring

I had an overall amazing time with EDUCO last summer. Going to different camps each week, with new students and workbook levels, definitely challenges you, in a good way. When being placed in camps, there's naturally an element of this being a lottery, i.e., students, staff and host families each being different. However, there's a lot of goodwill and a good 'vibe' towards the camps from people you work with. I was a little bit older doing the camp (33), but just about managed it energy wise.

The EDUCO mentors are very professional and try to look after you. You can Whatsapp message them at any point during placement.

As a possible small point of feedback to EDUCO, I think that some pre-orientation tasks might help participants prepare so as to avoid overwhelm during orientation. This could include learning about EDUCO methodologies, as well as encouraging successful applicants to learn 1-2 camps songs or games beforehand.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely get enough rest before the orientation programme. I had a jam-packed weekend in Nice before orientation, and quite honestly, you don't get much rest time during the orientation week, which really does drain you. This made the initial camps difficult, as I was exhausted/feeling sick.
Pros
  • Travel
  • Fun
  • Creativity and skills
Cons
  • Exhaustion, particularly from orientation
  • Some Italian assistants work against you
Jodie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Jodie

I loved every minute of teaching with EDUCO.

My host family's have been very kind and accommodating and I am forever grateful for their kindness. I don’t think I have had one bad meal within a host family. The food has been amazing! Furthermore so many family’s have been kind enough to take me to places. I've been to famous lakes, fancy restaurants, firework displays, night markets, beaches and so many other things. It’s been wonderful working with children has been very rewarding and I loved to see how there confidence in English grows from the start to the end of the week. Being part of there English journey is such a privilege.

Overall I would express that EDUCO is a wholesome and adventurous experience.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
For me the most nerve-racking experience was my first classroom.

I had all the training from the week before but I still felt scared because I had never done it before.

I over came this by just going with it and using the tools I’m given.
I found that each camp became easier and easier and in end the classroom time became second nature.
Pros
  • Amazing Food
  • Amazing places
  • Amazing people
Cons
  • Not much notice on where you will go.
  • You don’t know your host family’s untill you meet them
  • Some sleeping arrangements aren’t ideal you will have to share so be adaptable.
Archie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Summer Ever

Educo was such an amazing experience and one I whole heartedly recommend. You begin your time in Italy at orientation week, where while learning al the resources and methods to prepare you for your teaching journey, you are creating strong bonds and long lasting friendships with the other tutors. My orientation week had 45 other participants and everyone was so friendly and the staff are so supportive and want to see you do well it really helps foster a sense of security and comfort. While I definitely expected to gain invaluable teaching skills and a summer travelling beautiful Italy, I did not expect to make the strong friendships I made. After orientation week you receive allocations and then you are off on your adventure travelling Italy equipped with your new skills in teaching. Staying with host families was special and gained me access to parts of Italy and traditions I never would have known. Educo is really good for allowing a different and truer experience of Italy and a deeper access into its culture. Many of the host families I stayed with I am in contact with as you grow so close to these families. As for the teaching, at first I was nervous as it was my first time in this field, but with the tools my orientation leaders had provided and the support from the other tutors, I was able to take it in my stride. I found it really rewarding and fulfilling, furthered by how adorable the children were. I met so many amazing people while travelling and saw some of the most beautiful sights. I spent my whole summer with Educo and I had the best time ever. An Educo summer is one I strongly recommend.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was defiantly during my Placement in Alcamo. I was staying with the mayor at the time and he took us to a festival in the town where me and my fellow tutors watched him perform in a Radiohead cover band. We admittedly stayed out quite late but it was such a fun and surreal experience.
Pros
  • Adventure + Travel
  • Amazing New Friends
  • Rewarding work
Cons
  • Can be quite demanding
  • Requires a level of patience
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

I spent a few weeks working with Educo this summer, and it’s been amazing. I love working with kids and Italian culture so this was just what I was looking for. I would 100% recommend this program. I got to see many places of a beautiful country while meeting new people from all over the world. Job wise, some summer camps can be easier than others depending on how big your class is or the age group, etc. but overall camp directors take very good care of you and the families are very welcoming. In my opinion, this was a very fun job that brought me some great memories and I can’t wait to go back this next summer.

Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Experience

Spending my summer teaching at Educo Italia was truly one of the best experiences of my life. Each day was filled with fun and learning, and I gained so many valuable skills and lessons that I’ll carry with me for life. The children were also extremely interested in learning, which made teaching them even more rewarding. Another amazing part of teaching here was all of the people I met, the close community made it very difficult to say goodbye. I enjoyed my time so much that I didn’t want to return home. It was an unforgettable experience I’d recommend to anyone!

Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

Working with Educo was an incredible experience! I loved meeting amazing people and learning a completely new, interactive way of teaching. Their games- and songs-based approach made lessons so fun for the kids, and it was rewarding to watch them grow more confident in English while having a great time.

What really stood out to me was the energy and creativity that filled every day. No two lessons were ever the same, and I was encouraged to bring my own personality and ideas into the classroom. You also get a TEFL certification out of it which is such a plus! I left each day feeling supported by the team and students around me!

Aleksa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Summer Ever!

A few months ago I did not expect to return home to Canada with such amazing memories of my Summer with Educo! I would 100% recommend Educo for anyone interested in exploring a career in teaching and seeing the beautiful country of Italy. It is such a unique and special experience to be welcomed with open arms by local families who are equally as eager to learn the english language as well as their children. From the materials provided to the leadership of the Educo orientation team to the friendships I made with other tutors, I felt very supported and prepared to teach at summer camps all over Italy. My confidence has grown tremendously and I can't wait to come back next Summer!