ITALY? Anyone from/ traveled to? Thinking about teaching there. What should I know?

Question

I am US teacher. Love the idea of teaching in Italy for a year. Can anyone tell me about experiences living, not just traveling to, Italy? Where? Cost of living? How long? Teach? Advice/ cautions? Tell me your thoughts.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm American but have been living in Italy 8 years now.  Well, there are some ups and downs in Italy,  just like in any other country so be prepared for some changes of what you are used to.  The person who talked about fascists and cops wearing boots and all that stuff must be stoned or something.  So yeah, cops wear black boots, what's the problem?...it's part of their uniform. I actually like it when I see carabinieri and police officers because it makes me feel safe.  Okay, well, the north is a lot richer than the south so you will probably find more work opportunities and better pay in a northern city.  In the north the people tend to be more reserved and "colder" whereas in the south the people tend to be a lot more open and "warmer".  The beaches are really beautiful in southern Italy, and are okay in the north.  You have to decide, do you want to live where the people are friendlier and the nature is more breath-taking, but where there is little work or do you want to live where the people are a little less friendly but where there is work.  For the cost of living it depends on where you live.  For example north vs south, large city vs small town, etc.  I live in Modena which is central-northern Italy and a small 1 bedroom apartment cost around 600+ euro per month...whereas my friends from southern Italy say they can rent a nice 2-3 bedroom apartment in their southern home town for like 250-300 euro or even less.  Oh, yes utility bills are paid in the post office, but if you have a bank account in Italy you can ask that the utility bills be paid directly by your bank...that way you don't have to deal with anything.  

Okay, also do you plan on teaching English or as an actual teacher?  Remember, that teachers here in Italy have really crappy contracts....some have been teaching for years without a stable contract.   Seeing that you are American, you will probably be offered and English teaching job with very few benefits.  Seeing that it's only for a year or less and you will be in Italy, I wouldn't care too much.  I never taught English here in Italy because I'm here to stay and most of the English-speaking teachers that are here are only here for 6 months - 1 year.  The language schools prefer to hire them because they can pay them less, and not have to give them a lot of benefits.  To teach in a regular school you must speak Italian and your teaching credentials must be approved by the Italian government.    Well, if you want anymore information, just ask away.

Answer 2

On the basis of two trips, both involving teaching, it would seem that the south is a lot more fun than the north.  Schools are odd by our standards; you'll quickly learn why American teachers and schools are held in awe for their academic integrity.  Translation: they're impressed that American teachers won't permit cheating, and won't even accept bribes.

Beyond that detail, it would probably be a lot of fun.  The economy is still very socialist and not quite as removed from the days of fascism as you'd imagine: police in shiny black boots are everywhere, and they live in barracks.  The press isn't quite free anywhere in Europe.  TV is vile, radio is worse.  

Prices are high and living standards are somewhat lower than ours, and you should know that (1) Italy is hotter than h**l in the summer and (2) they don't like air conditioning.  There's still a lot of poverty; with immigrants from Yugoslavia and everywhere else selling bogus CD's on every corner.  Any contact with government is likely to be painful; you have to stand in line at the post office to pay your monthly utility bill.  

Food prices are like those in the organic produce section of your supermarket.  Grocery chains are only just beginning to understand the concept of store brands and discounting.  

Beyond that, I strongly suspect that there are expatriate support groups on yahoogroups and other places you can talk to.  

And despite all I've said, you should definitely go, and have fun.

Answer 3

hallo...i'm an itlian girl..i'm 17! i have a Canadian teacher,  who teach me English! and she usually says that she loves italy!!!!!!! the cost of living is not to much elevated...!!!

Answer 4

I am getting my teaching degree right now in hopes to travel to Italy to teach. Please try out this website. http://expatsinitaly.com/ This website will give you insite to what it will be like to move to Italy. Good Luck ;0)