Program Reviews

During the summer of 2018 I trained to become an English tutor with Educo in Rimini and then I taught at a two week camp near Bologna in the province of Modena. The experience was truly unforgettable and has left me with so many great memories to take with me. The training week was very intense, however provided me with all the tools I needed to be a successful tutor at the camp. Tutoring at the camp was the most fulfilling experience I have ever done, the kids (all 100 of them), took to us tutors so well and the bond created between the tutors has given me many friends that I will keep in touch with. The teaching side has its difficulties but is so enjoyable, and seeing the kids all improve because of your teaching is the most rewarding outcome I have ever experienced and I can't wait to come back and do it again next year!

I worked for Educo in August 2018 teaching in a camp in Spilamberto (Near to Bologna). The two weeks I spent teaching therewere incredible, such a rewarding experience, meeting new people in the tutors and helpers which I will remain friends with. Teaching young Italians who are so charismatic and fun to be around. Living with a host family that treated me like royalty and a family I will see again on my future adventures to Italy.
It is truly an unforgettable experience and I can not wait to come back next summer and do it again, hopefully teaching in many more camps across the entire country!

I have now worked three summers with Educo English Summer Camps, every year has been an unbelivably rewarding experience.
The children that you meet and work with along the way are the highlight of the experience; Italian kids are definitely very unique, full of energy and hilarious.
The staff are really supportive, the materials are professional and the camps are amazing!
There is so much oppotunity to have fun in Italy during the summer. I couldn't reccomend this programme more.

Makes sense folks! I had the time of my life, made friends for life, worked my tail off and really felt like I made a difference to some kids across the country! And I made enough through the camps to then go explore Europe! Two for one! My advice would be to keep an open mind, and remember to listen and support your colleagues.

The staff is amazing and really look after you like family!! I love them

The way I see it, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. The experience with the kids is amazing! For better and for worse you get to spend time and possibly even inspire some children who don’t even speak your language. I learned so much about who I am and how to live in another culture. The idea of being with host families the entire time I was there intimidated me at first, but once I got in there man I loved it!! Made beautiful friends and memories with host moms and dads and brothers and sisters and a really cool nonno too 😎😎. And having anyone cook for you is a beautiful gesture (not even mentioning home made italian food). You also get to meet English speakers from EVERYWHERE! I got on a train once, and two other English tutors I didn’t know were also on the train! And we had so much fun getting to know one another and share our camp experiences and now we are all meeting up in Israel at someone’s house at the end of the summer!! You make memories, you make bonds for life.

p.s.
I am an American with family and friends scattered across Europe. With the Educo summer camps, I got to see a lot of them! Before and after camps began.

p.s.s.
The staff are AMAZING. Took day and night to get your experience as smooth as possible

p.s.s.s.
This isn’t like a camp you’ve done before. And none of our camps will be exactly like the one you did just before. Keep an open mind and work TOGETHER with EVERYONE.

The summer camps was a once in a lifetime experience. My absolute favorite was meeting the host families and learning more about Italian culture firsthand. The camps were great for the experience of learning classroom management and how to teach English to the students. This experience taught me more than my TESOL internship did, so I am grateful I had the opportunity. The staff members are absolutely amazing. They would respond within a few hours if not immediately. They were always helpful and willing to do anything to help us have a better experience. The training was tiring, but necessary and worth it. I learned a lot through the training and how to be a better teacher. Overall, it was a great experience.

I definitely recommend this experience to everyone because you get to see Italy through the local's eyes and experience the true beauty that Italy has to offer.

I first entered the wonderful world of Educo camps in 2015 after a recommendation from a friend who had already enjoyed 2 absolutely amazing summers. I have now completed 2 years of working for the City Camps and also in a teaching position for Educo and I cannot recommend them enough. I was lucky enough to spend time all over Italy from Milan to Sicily and I have really gained tons of experience in all aspects of teaching, travelling and of course the Italian cuisine. Of course expect to be exhausted, you have a jam packed schedule but it is with enthusiastic and curious children/ teens who want to know everything about you and what is not to love about that. This experience is a must for those who want to see the real Italy, with real families all whilst having a blast with the children and not fall into the tourist trap.
My best advise would be to be open to everything the host families, tutors, camp directors helpers etc offer you to do, no matter how tired you may feel. I have many great memories of visiting different cities, riding on the back of mopeds, visiting bee farms and eating and drinking far too much.

I discovered Educo camps through one of my Italian professors, who recommended I apply to gain some experience practicing the language in a native environment. I cannot recommend it highly enough to anyone interested in learning Italian, gaining teaching experience, and who wants to see the real Italy - not just stand in a crowd of tourists in Rome or Venice.

Staying with real Italian families is an amazing experience - they treat you like part of the family and I still keep in touch with many of them 6+ years later. I got to stay in places you would normally spends hundreds of euros on, for free, and work with some amazing staff and kids from all corners of the globe. Over the weekends and while on hold from work we were able to explore Siena, Venice, Florence, Rome and the Naples area, as well as seeing some beautiful, lesser known corners of Italy.

I first joined EDUCO in summer 2014 and had planned to stay for the few weeks of camp and then return to England ... 3 years later, I am still in Italy! This role really opened up a lot of new opportunities for me and I've seen so many beautiful places that I would never have been able to without this programme. There's something quite magical about it from the beginning. At the orientation process you'll meet a great bunch of people from all walks of life who've all been drawn here for the same reasons, which makes it so vibrant and fun!
After my first summer I became part of the CLIL tour and travelled around Italy facilitating workshops, then became a part of the training staff. I can promise that this job is never dull and perfect if you don't want to be shackled to a desk. I'm able to use all facets of my experience while learning new skills all the time.
The host families are a total dream, and as locals they are able to show you 'real' Italy and treat you to the famous hospitality of Italian families. I still keep in touch with people I made a real connection with.
The staff were very supportive and when I arrived at the camps I found all the materials I needed, you just have to bring your energy and enthusiasm! I cannot recommend applying for these positions more highly, you could say it changed by life (cringe, sorry for that) and I wouldn't change it for anything.

It’s going to sound cliche but working for Educo over the Summer of 2014 really changed my life. I not only had an amazing experience learning to become a teacher, teaching incredible Italian children & teens but I also met my husband whilst being there. Thank you Educo! :)

I was fortunate to make the transition from working for Theatrino - touring Italy for 6 months doing educational theatre in schools using didactic teaching methods through play, performance & workshops, before working at the Summer English camps.

First of all - the orientation program is a blast. You get to meet like-minded people who want to have an awesome Summer and make friendships that will last a lifetime. Then you get sent off on a train to your first host family and first city and first awesome experience of working at an English camp. That’s when the fun really begins...the fully-immersive experience of staying with an Italian family, becoming a local for 1-2 weeks and creating bonds with your team of tutors, camp directors & staff and of course the students which is a recipe for a true cultural exchange.

As you move throughout Italy seeing beautiful sights, tasting authentic Italian food and being an ambassador for a great program and your country; you learn not only more about yourself but the benefits of inter-cultural exchange.

The friends you make are such a bonus from doing this program. I was able to do several camps with one friend in particular and it lead to us travelling together on our time off with others as well. Of course once you’re in Europe travel becomes so easy & accessible. So I’d highly recommend taking advantage of this program that gets you to an already beautiful country but also allows you to include travel to other great destinations before, after or during your time off.

My advice would be to have an open-mind, be ready and happy to adapt to the different situations and challenges thrown your way. It’s all about your attitude - and when it gets a little tough and you haven’t had enough sleep (because let’s be real - travelling and working and dealing with a different culture can present it’s own challenges) you have to just smile, get enough rest and be flexible!

Have an awesome Summer in my favorite country! Be a great inspiration to those kids and a great ambassador of your country and culture to your host family and above all have a blast! It’ll be a Summer you won’t soon forget.