Job Discussion Forums

HaleyNauta · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

hello all!
I want to work in Florence or Prato and I am looking for any advice you can give me. I have never been to Italy but when I travelled Spain this past summer I met *sigh* a boy from Prato and I am determined to move to Italy and work near to his town. Perhaps my motivation is a little misplaced but I truely want to experience the new culture. So...... I am just after any advice that anyone has for me about florence or working as a young girl in italy. I feel pretty in the dark at this point about getting up and starting a new life there, so any insight would be much appreciated!
Ciao,
Haley

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Well, hopefully you are British and not North American or Australian....
If you're British, get a TEFL qualification, and it'll be fairly easy to find some work - at least enough to live on, probably.
If you are from outside the European Union, the short answer is that you can't legally live and work in Italy until you marry the guy. Smile

HaleyNauta · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

haha, thanks 4 your advice. I am actually from north america (canada) but I have a dutch (EU) passport. and I also have TEFL certification. I am also a little worried about safety, what is the general attitude towards canadians working in italy, are the people friendly?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

How overtly Canadian do you need to be? Probably people walking down the street aren't going to immediately recognize you as Canadian. If you're teaching English you'll introduce yourself, of course, but the whole Italian world isn't going to notice. Even when you go out among people, you'll just be another English-speaker. They're used to it.
All of Europe is generally safer than all of North America. Just exercise normal caution. In almost every case, people simply respond to you as an individual. It's usually best to be low-key in any new place. You could try to avoid comparing Canada to Italy at length in conversations; one annoying thing that many expats do.
You'll be fine with your passport and cert (assuming it's not an on-line or weekend cert).

kattie72 · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

Having lived both in the North and South of Italy, I can assure you that Italian cities are not dangerous for young women as long as you excercise common sense eg avoid going out after dark on your own and if you do, choose busy, well lit areas. Pick pocketing and bag snatching can be a problem, especially in very touristy places like Florence so just watch your valuables and carry your bag across you instead of just over one shoulder. I'm sure these are things you do anyway in your own city.
Above all enjoy yourself! Your EU passport is fine for working in Italy and your TEFL cert should help you. Are you going to turn up and try to find work or do you intend to contact schools from Canada first? There is a lot of competition in Florence, you may have better chances in Prato although to be honest I have never been to Prato so I'm not sure what the job market there is like.
Good luck and Enjoy!

HelloImage · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Maryland

Hey I met a boy from Prato that is one of the reasons why I would be going back because this long distace relationship is just not working Crying or Very sad

What part of Prato is he from? Mine is from Comeana.
I am moving to Florence next year to study.

HaleyNauta · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 5

thats all great advice. it sounds like I will make out fine flying under the radar for the first bit. I know that once I arrive and get settled in things will go smoothly. I think it would be wise to contact schools prior to my departure, perhaps in the case of Prato as well. Would you recomment his as oppose to going to the schools in person?

Regards,
Haley

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Go in person. Most European schools won't even look at unsolicited CVs. Many of them have been burned in the past by people who didn't show up at the last minute, or had misrepresented themselves in some way....they generally want to see you standing there, looking professional and reliable, credentials and references in hand before they'll give you even a first thought.

kattie72 · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

I would initially research some schools in internet (try www.paginegialle.it look under heading "Scuole di lingue") and send your CV from Canada with a covering letter stating when you will be in Italy and therefore available for interview/work. Then you could follow up with a telephone call. Then when you arrive, go to the schools that you previously contacted in person. I wouldn't accept work until you have seen the school and are happy with the set up. Bear in mind that the summer months are not the best time to turn up as most schools close in July/August and open again in September or October. Some schools recruit in May/ June for the new school year, some wait until September.