I've decided that Prague --> Italy is basically the best way to go. Greece is a close second and until I'm officially enrolled, still a possibility. But it's going to be one of those two.
But on the GOOD NEWS FRONT:
A: A friend of my mom's, who is a flight attendant, has been working to find us deals on plane tickets. Meaning affordable airfare. Meaning mega-thumbs-up-happy dance from me.
B: My godfather is going to help us out a bit with the whole thing. I'm writing up what is basically a grant application to give to him, as he wants to know any and everything about the whole plan/what I'm going to get out of it/how it's relevant to my education/life. But this means that this may actually happen soon. Something I had kind of given up on.
* happy dance *
welcome!
24 March 2008
10 March 2008
gaaaaaaaaah
I called Bridge TEFL (I switched from Via Lingua to Bridge TEFL) today to inquire about their Florence start dates (not listed on the website). I was told that the Florence program is on hiatus for a while, and there aren't any in-the-near future start dates. * grumble grumble*
I, however, chose not to settle for that, because dammit, I'm getting to Italy, one way or another.
A friend had suggested I check out BUNAC. Well, they don't have an Italy program. But they have a work abroad (short term) in England (I would also happily go to Ireland for a bit) program, during which I could take Bridge TEFL's online course (using my thinking cap, hahaha) and then scoot over to Italy, already certified, and, as Bridge TEFL offers job placement, with a job waiting for me. ha ha HA.
And then I researched BUNAC a bit. And there is a lot of information out there from the been there done that crowd... and 90% of it was from people who have had BAD experiences with BUNAC. So, I thought "Maybe..not?" It was a little intimidating. (If anyone has more BUNAC info/experience please let me know)
Plan B: Stay here, in the US, and take the online TEFL course. Again, part 2 of this plan = scoot over to Italy, already certified, with a job waiting for me, and do a happy dance.
Meaning I'd have to stay here for a bit longer still.
Not a really attractive plan.
Plan C: Go to a Bridge TEFL training program at another location (Prague looks like fun. I've been to Prague before, on a short group trip, and really loved it there. I can see myself living there for four weeks. I would also happily go to their London program. Hell, there's even a program in Greece, and I've always wanted to go there...), and when the course is over and job placement time rolls around, ask them to place me in/around Florence, please and thank you.
So, we shall see. With the online program there is the disadvantage of no hands-on training. No physical teaching experience. But it's cheaper. And I can do it from home. And then head to Italy and start teaching right away.
But Prague/London/Greece....any of those three places would be a very nice four-week mini-vacation while I earn my certificate. And those options DO include hands-on experience in the classroom. But they are more expensive. But I would extend my time in Europe, rather than stay here. No extended time in Italy, but in Europe.
BUNAC is still in the back of my mind. If I hear more things about it and better things about it I might still consider it. But we'll just have to see how it all plays out.
Thoughts/opinions/comments/advice VERY welcome.
I, however, chose not to settle for that, because dammit, I'm getting to Italy, one way or another.
A friend had suggested I check out BUNAC. Well, they don't have an Italy program. But they have a work abroad (short term) in England (I would also happily go to Ireland for a bit) program, during which I could take Bridge TEFL's online course (using my thinking cap, hahaha) and then scoot over to Italy, already certified, and, as Bridge TEFL offers job placement, with a job waiting for me. ha ha HA.
And then I researched BUNAC a bit. And there is a lot of information out there from the been there done that crowd... and 90% of it was from people who have had BAD experiences with BUNAC. So, I thought "Maybe..not?" It was a little intimidating. (If anyone has more BUNAC info/experience please let me know)
Plan B: Stay here, in the US, and take the online TEFL course. Again, part 2 of this plan = scoot over to Italy, already certified, with a job waiting for me, and do a happy dance.
Meaning I'd have to stay here for a bit longer still.
Not a really attractive plan.
Plan C: Go to a Bridge TEFL training program at another location (Prague looks like fun. I've been to Prague before, on a short group trip, and really loved it there. I can see myself living there for four weeks. I would also happily go to their London program. Hell, there's even a program in Greece, and I've always wanted to go there...), and when the course is over and job placement time rolls around, ask them to place me in/around Florence, please and thank you.
So, we shall see. With the online program there is the disadvantage of no hands-on training. No physical teaching experience. But it's cheaper. And I can do it from home. And then head to Italy and start teaching right away.
But Prague/London/Greece....any of those three places would be a very nice four-week mini-vacation while I earn my certificate. And those options DO include hands-on experience in the classroom. But they are more expensive. But I would extend my time in Europe, rather than stay here. No extended time in Italy, but in Europe.
BUNAC is still in the back of my mind. If I hear more things about it and better things about it I might still consider it. But we'll just have to see how it all plays out.
Thoughts/opinions/comments/advice VERY welcome.
06 March 2008
$5000 to get me to Italy? Yes please. (also: So Much World.com's travel guide to Italy)
First things first: So Much World Travel Guides sent me an email and asked if I would link to their Italy travel guide on my blog. It looks like a great guide, so I'm happy to. I added it in my links section on the right side of this page, check.it.out.
Also: I'm starting a new religion around fastweb.com. Well, not really, because apparently starting up a new religion is kind of a process, and that might be a little over the top, but I'm still in love with Fastweb right now. My scholarship search results came up with a grant that's about $5000 for six+ months of working abroad, and it's a grant especially for those like myself who have arranged our own work abroad programs (there is another grant from the providers of this one designed for *their* work abroad program as well). There's nothing saying I'm going to get it, but I'm definitely applying. *happy dance *
Also: I'm starting a new religion around fastweb.com. Well, not really, because apparently starting up a new religion is kind of a process, and that might be a little over the top, but I'm still in love with Fastweb right now. My scholarship search results came up with a grant that's about $5000 for six+ months of working abroad, and it's a grant especially for those like myself who have arranged our own work abroad programs (there is another grant from the providers of this one designed for *their* work abroad program as well). There's nothing saying I'm going to get it, but I'm definitely applying. *happy dance *
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