Program Reviews

I originally came across this program when I was looking for an experience in Europe that was both affordable and culturally immersive. Little did I know how much I would grow and learn in such a small period of time with ECC. This was my first time travelling abroad to a different continent alone and I am really glad I did it to work with ECC. You get to meet fantastic people who are hungry to explore and learn. Please keep in mind that this is a job, and although it may seem like an adventure, it is still a paying job. Even though I was working, I had a blast. I recommend this opportunity to anyone who is flexible, adventurous, and really open to anything, but please do not be lazy. Working with children can be challenging if you have never experienced it before, and this is not a paid vacation. Keep in mind that if you are willing to give these kids a great time at camp during the day, you will have a lot of free time to explore real Italian towns with real Italian families. The owners of the camp are fantastic people who are very easy to communicate with. I am so glad I was blessed with this opportunity because it was easily the best summer of my life.

Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who wanted to have an impact on kids and travel in a meaningful way as well as being welcomed with open arms by incredible host families... I could not even begin to explain how much of a positive impact that this wholesome experience had on me!!!! IT WAS THE ABSOLUTE BEST. Doing something like this teaches you about people. It reminds you that time means nothing with regards to how close you can get to someone. It shows you that even with a language barrier, communication can exist and that you can still form a connection with another person.

Overall, it was incredible to have people make you feel so at home wherever you are. As an example, since we were located in very small villages and towns, tourists were nowhere to be found. Therefore, people were so excited to meet me wherever I went and to learn about my life in Canada and who I was as a person. These strangers went miles out of their way to ensure I felt safe, comfortable and was happy being there. I’m so thankful for all of these individuals who have become family in such a short time frame. Plus, the teachers were so lovely and we all shared so many beautiful memories together. I recently went to California for a reunion with some of the people that I met... it's only been 6 months til we seen each other last aha!

I shed so many tears while here because I was so grateful and happy. The world feels a bit smaller and just brought me so much joy to share parts of my life with people across the world from where I live and for them to do the same with me. Gosh, and everyone’s food was so INCREDIBLE! Another thing to be so thankful for!

I highly recommend this experience to anyone who has an open mind and an adventurous spirit!

I am extremely grateful for the amazing opportunity I was given in 2018 as camp councillor in both Italy and Austria. Honestly, it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Firstly, the compassion and dedication of Nate and Ashley is amazing. They pour their heart and soul into the camps to ensure both the kids and tutors are left with positive experiences. It must be so much work and a huge commitment but they are have the perfect amount of energy and enthusiasm for the job!! Upon arriving in Assisi for orientation I was slightly nervous as I had no idea what to expect. I was quickly reassured at how amazing this opportunity would be the second I met Ashley and Nate and the other tutors.

One of the things that make this program so unique is the opportunity to stay with host families! I had some amazing experiences which ranged from eating delicious gelato to attending a concert in the Austrian alps! The families I was with were so welcoming and caring and quickly became home. They allow you to see a side of the country that isn't experienced as easily by tourists.

Working with kids may be hard work at times especially as you have the language barrier which may make it hard to communicate. But if you have positivity and enthusiasm the kids will really enjoy that and you can have so much fun mucking around and playing games with them.

Lastly, I am so grateful for the connections I have made with the other tutors. So many of them I would call lifelong friends and I am still in contact with them. They are by your side every day and quickly become more like family. It isn't every day that you have the chance to work alongside people whose passions and energy motivate and inspire you to strive for any goals you may have.

If you are thinking of applying for this program I would seriously recommend you go for it. Not because every day will be easy (because it can be exhausting some days) but it will be incredibly worth it. Even if you are tired remember where you are. Because it'll go by in the blink of an eye, and before long you'll be wishing you were back in the beautiful Italy and Austria.

Spend the best summer of my life working at TECC! Camp directors were amazing! Other tutors were amazing! Host brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers really take you in as family and provide you with everything you may need! Camp is so much fun. I loved having my own classroom to make fun lessons. The afternoon activities were a riot as well. Honestly, an amazing experience and I recommend all to apply! The final shows are so much fun to write and to direct. The kids love making costumes and rehearsing all week to show their parents how much English they have learned. When you apply, make sure to be completely honest, prepared, and ask loads of questions! It is a once and a lifetime opportunity and you will never regret this decision. I was so nervous traveling on my own, but by the time you leave you will be a professional at taking trains, and using your hands to communicate to the locals!

I went into the program not knowing anyone and traveling alone for the first time. It was amazing from day one. The tutors were all awesome! Nate and Ashleigh were some of the nicest people ever and it was a pleasure working for them. I had amazing host families at every camp i was sent to. Life with host families was new to new but they all immediately made me feel welcome and like one of the family members from day one. When you leave its like leaving your parents. The food was also amazing both in Italy and Austria, whenther your host families cooked, ordered takeout, or went out to restaurants. I made some lifelong connections along the way. Teaching the Italian and Austrian kids was also a blast. They were all lively and excited about camp. I also had amazing directors who were on top of it. If there were ever any problems, the directors, Ashleigh, or Nate were always quick to solve them. The weeks flew by and before I knew it, camp was over. I'm definitely applying next year!

I have to start by saying that Nate and Ash Poerio are without a doubt two of the nicest people I've ever met. Having not known them at all before this experience, they were not only amazing bosses but vital resources and great friends. I entirely expect to visit and catch up with them in the future. They are genuinely good people and do whatever they can to help. Since I was a director at three camps and a tutor at one, I was able to see how hard they work to ensure the summer goes smoothly for tutors, directors, host families, and of course, campers. I can only describe the work they do with the most positive superlatives.

Every single one of my host families was sweet as could be, adorable, and did anything and everything within their power to ensure I was having the best time. Of the four I stayed with, I keep in frequent contact with three of them, and message one of them at least once a week. I even plan on visiting them in the winter. The only unfortunate part of being in a host family is having to leave them, which I promise is a much harder thing to do than you can imagine. I really felt like I was part of the family after my time with each one.

While I had no idea what I was getting into this summer, I never thought it would be as all-around great as it was. I got to fall back in love with a country I adore and its people then explore one I don't know nearly as well from a local perspective, all the while teaching adorable kids and making sure they had a great summer. I don't know that there is a better job in the world.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me on Facebook (Andrew Boas) to hear more or ask questions about this truly incredible experience.

What an incredible opportunity! I have made so many connections and relationships with people from all over the world. I am so grateful to have worked with so many like-minded, fun loving tutors. And on top of meeting my incredible coworkers, the experience of living with host families was life changing. I'm so happy to say that I have made life long friends and "family". Only a few weeks have passed since camp ended, but I'm still in constant contact with my families! Having very little teaching experience before this was not an issue. I was able to work with the youngest and the oldest kids who brought forth lots of energy, eagerness and excitement. Many thanks to Nate and Ashleigh who were beyond helpful the whole time!
As I saw in a review below, you get what you give. Please give this job your all and show your families, kids, and tutors respect. If you do so, you're going to LOVE this job!

I loved this experience because I love adventure, kids, and meeting new people! I am a kid at heart so being a camp counselor is perfect for me to let out my goofy side. Orientation was great getting to know all the other tutors and well prepared me for camp. The host families were all amazing! They took me to different festivals, dinners, and towns! I really felt at home with my host family and loved getting to learn their life story and be a role model for the kids. Camp was crazy and fun!! I had the 6 year olds and they were all hugging me from the second they learned I was their teacher. Nate and Ashleigh were super kind and easy talk to you. If you have an open mind, easy going spirit, child-like heart, and are ready to take on a new culture, work hard, and travel around Italy- this experience is for you!! You get out what you put in! :)

If you are looking for the best summer traveling all over Italy and Austria then this is the just the thing for you! You get to meet people from all over the world, and create friendships that will truly last forever. Everyone is so kind, and caring towards one another. This is an experience of a lifetime that people need to take advantage of. You get to see all these little towns that you normally wouldn't see, and really get to emerge yourself in the culture by living with a host family. Camps are such a great time because the kids love it, and it simply doesn't feel like a job with all the fun you have all day!! It's also an amazing feeling to teach these kids another language with fun activities you plan out for them! If you are looking to get out of your comfort zone, and travel around to the coolest places then this is the perfect thing to do!!! I will never forget my AMAZING experience with the ECC!!!

Nate and Ashley (the owners of the company) are great! They were very helpful both in training the tutors and afterwards once we were sent to our different camp locations. The host families were so hospitable. I still talk to them on a regular basis and am so happy to have made a few Italian friends along the way. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in teaching overseas for a short amount of time!