Exchange and Experience Italian Lifestyles While Teaching Abroad

The Joinki program was such a fantastic experience and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in it! Right from the beginning Sabrina the coordinator made me feel welcome and definitely showed me a glimpse of the friendly people I was yet to meet. I loved being able to explore the Trentino region of northern Italy due to its breathtaking beauty and wonderful culture. The best way to learn a language and get to know a different culture is to immerse yourself in it! Having the opportunity to live with a host family was one of the best parts because they were just the most wonderful people. I really appreciated Sabrina's commitment to making sure that the tutor and the family were truly a good match, it definitely made me feel much more comfortable knowing that she was making sure the experience went as smoothly as possible and that she was always there to help! I also really appreciated the Guest Card I was given which allowed me to travel in the entire region for free and access all the museums and attractions for free! It definitely allowed me to take full advantage of my stay there and really experience the area firsthand. I will always the thankful for the opportunity Joinki has given me and encourage everyone to take part! Grazie Joinki per l'esperienza indimenticabile!

As a slightly (!) older participant, I was less interested in the social events organised by the team, but that is not to say that they weren't fun! The program is well-organised and the staff ensure that all participants are well integrated. The family I was with was perfect and I really enjoyed my time with them. My student was able to practise and improve her English and I got the chance to practise my Italian (and learn more!)

JOINKI is a wonderful opportunity to share your own culture and to get to know the beautiful Italian culture. I loved my host family, the billage that i lived in for six weeks and the people who worked with me within the frames of the program. The free transportation and museum passes provided by Joinki made my stay extra special. I cannot be any more greatful for this amazing experience and to the organizers for all the help and support!

I will never forget my incredible time with Joinki! Living with a host family provides an authentic way to experience the culture of the Trentino region. Sabrina is an amazing coordinator and was attentive and helpful throughout my entire journey. I spent time with the other tutors in the program and got to go on excursions in the area. I wanted to learn Italian cooking and spent time with my host mother in the kitchen. I had time to read and reflect in the beautiful nature. I learned what it is like to teach English and learned some Italian as well. I absolutely would recommend this program to anyone who wants an authentic taste of Northern Italy! I am so thankful to Joinki for this amazing opportunity.

When I first found Joinki online, I got really excited about the program. I really got a feeling that the staff of Joinki cared for their tutors and really took their time to make sure you were placed in a family that matched with your interests for the month long program. When I arrived, I felt very welcomed not only by the family but also by Sabrina and never did I feel like I was lacking anything. Beyond helping the family I was with with English, I was also volunteered at a high school, helping in the English classes. I also had mentioned I was interested in learning Italian and Joinki made sure I had plenty of resources to learn the language and I actually ended up leaving with a decent knowledge of Italian. Sometimes with the family it was a bit unclear what they wanted in terms of English help but we made it work and tried different tutoring methods until we found the best one for each family member. Through Joinki we also got to go on a few trips with some of the other tutors and it was really amazing to explore the region. Trentino was a wonderful location that I really didn't know much about and now am completely in love. I really recommend this program for anyone looking for a true language exchange experience. Not only do you get to teach the family, but you also get to experience the Italian culture, learn some of their customs and go on unique adventures in the mountains, lakes and castles that surround the region. The Joinki staff is extremely helpful and they take their time to tailor the experience to your interests and are always checking up on you to make sure everything is well. Thank you Joinki for giving me an unforgettable few weeks in Trentino!

I participated in this program as a Language Tutor for 6 weeks in April and May 2018. Engaging in this experience was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only was I given the extremely rewarding opportunity of teaching English and chess in a school in Northern Italy as well as improving my host's ability to speak English, I was able to learn in-depth about the culture and lifestyle of people in the Trentino region. The program provided me with an Italian tutor who also worked as a tour guide in the area and took me to different restaurants and museums and explained the history embedded in the region. This allowed me to learn the Italian language and also understand in detail everything that happened in the past in Italy and specifically in the Trentino region. The director of the program also took the language tutors on various excursions including trips to Lake Garda and hiking in the canyons near Val di Non.
Trento is an excellent place to spend time as the University of Trento is there, which makes it easy to meet and become friends with the students of the University. Trento is also in an excellent location in Northern Italy, which allowed me to take trips to many cities including Milan, Venice, Verona, Innsbruck, and many others.
The host I was placed was very nice and hospitable. He cooked meals quite frequently or would take me to restaurants in Trento. However, we did many things outside of working on English and eating together. We went hiking multiple times in the mountains surrounding Trento, letting us see some of the most beautiful views in the world. We watched many football matches as he was a fan of AC Milan. We went to a world class circus that was sold-out in Trento. He even had a friend of his take me on a helicopter ride through the mountains. As he had resided in Trento for 20+ years, he was able to give me a lot of tips on what to do in the area and pass on a lot of knowledge about the city.
Overall, I would say that this was one of the most fun and educational experiences of my life and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to go abroad or learn about a new culture.

I do not exaggerate when I say that I had a fantastic time in Trentino. I always felt very welcome as I had a great host family and the Joinki staff was always present. Therefore, I felt safe and very well cared for. I was a language tutor in a Primary School as well as in a Middle School and it was great seeing the students' but also the family's improvement in the German language. However, I could also improve my Italian. In my free time I could see a lot of beautiful places nearby.
I warmely recommend this program for everyone who likes to meet lovely people, a cultural exchange and who likes pizza ;)

The joinki Program is perfect for anyone who wants to spend amazing time abroad. The family the organization picked for me is perfect for my needs! They did an amazing job. I have the opportunity to see an other side of Europe, a different part of the world. Nature in this area is amazing and I went hiking several times to enjoy the great panorama. I'm so thankful for the support I receive from the organization, but also from my hostfamily. I can teach my language and spread my knowledge, while enjoying the new experience. If you want to challenge yourself and are up for something new I would recommend this experience for you !