THE ECC: A REVIEW

Last summer, I was blessed with the opportunity of working for the English Camp Company. If you've read some of the previous reviews, you've noticed by now that working for the ECC will lead you to have the best summer of your life. Words cannot describe my fantastic experience. I sometimes wonder to myself if any of it was real.
I choose to apply to the ECC because I wanted to try teaching abroad. As a future ESL educator, my degree allows me to teach English as a second language, both locally and internationally. I decided to work overseas to see if teaching abroad was a smart career path for me. It turns out that the ECC was better than I could have ever imagined.
A little more information about life at camp: I worked as a camp director at three camps. Each camp lasts two weeks, on the second Saturday with your host family, you move to your next camp. Living with host families is excellent, be mindful of their home and pack accordingly. One of my host families, made their daughters give up their room to lodge me. I was very thankful for their hospitality and generosity.
On the first Sunday of your new camp, you will meet with the new team of tutors and camp director. As a camp director, it was my job to get the supplies; the ECC provides a budget and has some necessary supplies at the camp location. Future camp directors, I highly suggest that you bring all the supplies that you can to your next camp.

Moreover, during this initial meeting, you will create your camp schedule based on a theme. I suggest you choose something that you and the tutors enjoy! As a camp director, you will have to create an Italian or Austrian version of the schedule, communicate with parents, and facilitate that everyone is safe and having a good time. At the end of each camp, there is a final show that the campers prepare with their tutors. The final show was one of my favourite activities at camp.

The ECC stood out to me for three reasons: the reviews, the accommodations, and the family atmosphere. Most, if not all, their reviews were positive. Which at first I thought was suspicious. However, the more reviews I read, the more I realized that the past tutors/camp directors were merely honest and genuine. After working for them, I can testify that working for the ECC is tremendously rewarding. It is the hardest I've worked while having the most fun!

The ECC is one of the few (if not the only) company that lodges you free of charge, pays you, pays for transportation between each camp, provides you with workbooks, activities, games, camp songs, and an easy to follow daily schedule. You will not get rich working for the ECC, but your life will be enriched.

During the camps, tutors/camp directors are hosted by one of the families whose child attends camp. This immersive family atmosphere helps with the cultural divide. Do not worry about being homesick, as your host family adopts you. I won the jackpot in the host family department. They treated me like I was their family; they showed me the sights and brought me on day excursions.

It's been 4 months and 22 days since I've come back from Italy and I can't wait to go back. Thanks to the ECC, I made friends worldwide, and my family has expanded. The experience I acquired did not only shape my professional career but has shaped me as a person.

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