I had narrowed my choices down to a Chinese University in Beijing and LtL, but settled on LtL because of my correspondence with the school's director, Andreas Laimbock. Those conversations made me feel like LtL had an environment that would be fun and productive, and that they had a strong commitment to quality home stays, which the university did not provide.

Despite the fact that I've travelled a lot, the two home stays I did in Beijing and Chengde were mind-blowing. It is a cliché that travelers look for authentic experiences, but nothing is more authentic than living with a Chinese family that doesn't speak English. Also, having had a lot of experience learning languages in a variety of formats, I can also say that their quality of instruction is top-notch. This also applies to the ultra-immersive environment of Chengde, where there is no classroom: I was by myself and had the same teacher six hours a day, for three weeks, where she would force me to immediately apply lessons "in the field" while she observed.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is from a trip to Vũng Tàu, Vietnam, as a guest of one of my Vietnamese colleagues. There were four of us girls, and we arrived at my colleague’s parents' house for dinner. As soon as we entered, we were greeted with an array of delicious foods, showcasing the incredible hospitality of her parents. They had prepared various typical Vietnamese dishes, along with a Russian dish, as they had once lived in Russia.

Although I don't speak Vietnamese and they spoke limited English, my colleague interpreted for us. Despite the language barrier, I felt their deep hospitality; they were incredibly welcoming and humble, making the experience truly unforgettable.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since starting to work for LTL, my life has changed completely. Moving alone from Italy to Taipei has transformed my habits, mindset, and perspective on life. I now place a higher value on my mental health and have developed a deep passion for traveling and meeting people from diverse backgrounds, always seeking out opportunities to exchange experiences. I've realized the importance of being comfortable with myself and doing things independently.

Professionally, I have grown significantly, learning how to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds, mastering the use of various technological devices and improving my organisational skills.

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

I love working for LTL because there are plenty of opportunities to learn beautiful and interesting stories from people all over the world.

One of my favorites is the story of a British student who studied with us in LTL Taipei last October. He was preparing to marry a Taiwanese woman and then return to the UK for a while.
However, he came back two months ago to study with us again because he and his wife decided to move permanently to Taipei. Now, he's even more motivated to learn the language!

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

If I could go on any program that my company offers, I would choose a gap year studying 15 weeks in Shanghai, 5 weeks in Chengdu, and 16 weeks in Taipei, with 20 hours per week of 1-on-1 Chinese classes and staying with host families.

This program appeals to me because it allows me to experience different realities in various cities, fully immerse myself in the Chinese language, and appreciate the differences between traditional and simplified Chinese characters. I love the idea of broadening my cultural horizons and gaining a deeper understanding of both versions of the language.

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

My company is unique because it allows people to truly live the language. With LTL, the immersive experience is what makes the difference, enabling our students to reach their language goals effectively. Additionally, we are a very international and open-minded company, always attentive to the needs of both our students and employees.

I was particularly proud of my team when we achieved three awards in less than two months at the beginning of 2024, which proved that our hard work was paying off.

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

There are many important factors that lead a company to success, but I personally believe that two stand out: trust and attentiveness.

When there is enough trust among colleagues and departments, it creates a healthy environment where people feel heard and comfortable expressing their thoughts.

Attentiveness is also crucial because recognizing and valuing each person's job and contributions keeps the team motivated and engaged. These elements foster a supportive and productive workplace, driving the company toward success.