EF – Education First. The motto of what I consider to be, my “Alma Mater” concerning language travel abroad, and also the name of the very first language school I went to London with for an “Academic Year Abroad” back in 2002 ..! EF has really changed my life in many ways: Thanks to this early experience of “travel & language independence abroad”, I have made my decision to study tourism management, advanced my English skills up to proficiency level, worked on my first ever internship abroad and have made friends for life. Thank you once more to my lovely parents for all their early support back in those days! You may thus better understand my present-day excitement of returning to work with EF as the multilingual, self-employed globetrotter I am these days, taking up the opportunity to further the last of the most important Roman languages to me: Italian. Exactly a year ago, I’ve experienced my first ever Italian language course in the city of Salerno, an hour south of Naples. Only once, I have since been back to Italy, in the no less charming “Regione Marche”. With German as my mother tongue and six years of Latin at school, I have since added English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and now Italian to my portfolio of well-spoken languages. Si. È tutto possibile. Ma è che mi piace davvero.
“OMG, Elena.” – “And you’re fluent in all of them!?” – “How does it work, how do you do it?!” And: “Don’t you have a few tips to share with us?!”
Well, yes. I do. Tips, ideas & experiences about how to better learn and speak languages. Plenty of them. So many that I’ve finally decided to turn them into a book!
Finally, Elena, I hear the voice in my head that says: “Finally, after writing ‘The Creative Traveler’s Handbook‘, you’ll publish your second-next important œuvre: The one about languages!” Because, really and truly dear readers: It’s languages that hold the key to opening up the doors of this world. I can honestly testify to this after a good fifteen years of working, studying and travelling abroad.
So first of all, enjoy looking at this colourful experience account of mine, of being back to study Italian abroad: EF Reloaded, is all I can say!
EF language camp in Rome: Flashback to when I lived and studied abroad in London …
… and no, you’re never too old to sit inside a close-knit circle of new-found language friends like this: “Pizza tutti insieme!” is the motto of our Wednesday night in Rom together with the students and teachers (in the front of this picture) ..!
EF holds a student base at a cosy residence in Rome Trastevere, where I’ve settled into for the week …
… and besides the practical information we’re actually given – fast forward fifteen years! …
… there is now a thing called myEF App!, which is dedicated to supplement our language activities, schedule, or else with useful, realtime information …
… all packed into a handy app telling me where to go, what to study, and where to log on to activities provided by the school. Well done, EF!
But of course, there’s not just an App, there’s moreover the really engaging, happy staff …
… classroom atmosphere, which I always like …
… and the fondness of having grown close to the teachers and staff during the week: Flavia, Monica & Lorena (left to right here).
Davvero, voi siete tremendi !! 😀 E già mi manquete di più.
Venturing out from the language school: What else is there to see and do in Rome?
A whole lot, you may say. But Rome, “la città eterna”, may never be experienced in just a week. You may, however, get a good impression nonetheless!
Just around the headquarters of our language school, which is conveniently located in the heart of the city, you may “walk over” to the world-famous Pantheon (a mere five minute walk), surrounded by loads of little cafés, gelaterias, pasta shops or beauty parlours, including “sconti per gli studanti EF”! Essentially, EF has negotiated a few good deals and discounts with most of the owners around, and we have since been able to benefit from it.
Did you know that the building of the present-day language school actually belonged to a rich Roman family, who had their own chapel built into it, including elements of the Free Masons?
… that the view from the classroom alone makes you itchy to go out and explore Rome?
… that the world-famous Pantheon …
… is our very first school excursion, led by charming teacher Federico? Grazie mille, caro Federico, per portarci.
… that Che Pasta!, where we as students get discounts yet again, works making only fresh, hand-made pasta …
… right in front of our eyes? Via di Sant’Agostino 16, if you happen to be close … starting from €5, a really good Roman lunch snack!
There’s pizza, too, of course, which you MUST try …
… or the none less famous “Insalata Caprese”, made up of just Mozzarella and tomatoes, but oh what Mozzarella … this one is Mozzarella di Buffalo from Paestum, whose happy buffalo cows I have only visited last year ..! Quality assured.
Summing up, whatever your fancy, you will just have to fall in love with Rome. There’s no other way, really!
“So what about your book project now, Elena?” …
Well, yes! Rome, in essence, just worked as the “prelude” to my actual language sojourn in Italy, retreating to the countryside in order to start writing on my third book, which will likely publish as an eBook by the end of the summer. Before leaving Rom, though, I have spoiled myself to two days at the charming Villa Pirandello, before heading out to Lago Trasimeno near Perugia, and the border with Tuscany. YOLO, is all I can say. You only live once!
A word of (self)advice, though. You have to be really disciplined so as not to succumb to any further temptations, lovely visits from sweet boys, or else ..! 😀
Breakfast area at Villa Pirandello, located in a quiet part of town …
… has me retreat and finally take a few moments to relax (and read), before starting to write on my next book project!
Thank you, too, dear Georg, for your lovely visit over the weekend ..! Rome really is for the ROMAntically inclined ..!
… we can only recommend you to stay here for a few days exploring Rome!
Infine … “La Felicià non è uno stato a cui arrivare, ma un modo di viaggiare.” – “Happiness, is not a state of arrival, but a way to travel.”
Through life, or through, well, Rome! Ciao e a presto nella bella città eterna !!!
Disclaimer: I have been invited by EF Language Travel Abroad on this Italian language course in Rome. All opinions are my own.