Alumni Interview with Andre Mosca

What inspired you to go abroad?

I was inspired when I had finished a six month teaching contract in Australia and a close friend of mine had come back from teaching with ACLE. She would not stop raving about how good it was and how much she missed the experience already. That alone, inspired me to go abroad.

Why did you choose ACLE?

I chose this organization because through thorough research and personal recommendation it seemed like an extremely solid choice.

What was your favorite part about Rome?

Being able to practice my Italian language skills and also taking in all of the local cultures of different regions.

What made your experience abroad unique?

My experience was made unique because it was my first ever traveling alone. Something that originally was a very scary leap for me, became one of the greatest adventures of my life.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

Local staff supported me with many things including but not limited to: transportation (tickets and itineraries), accommodation, budgeting, and social networking.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I did it sooner.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

Wake up to a smiling host family that’s happy to see you and have the breakfast they have so carefully laid out just for you. Go to school to meet a wonderful team of young adults just like you who are enthusiastic to get going. Greet the kids who are even more enthusiastic than you are to learn English through fun, music, and dance.

Spend all afternoon with your class, building relationships with students who value you so much, encouraging students to be tenacious, and appealing to their competitiveness in English. And finally returning home after a long day of fun and hard goodbyes. And then make plans for tomorrow.

Then, once home I'm greeted by my lovely host family who want nothing more than to relax with me and make sure I am having the best experience possible.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoyed playing music and singing with my host family. On occasion I would help out around the house—much to my host mum's protesting.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

Accommodation wise, I loved that I got to stay with a real family, in a real house. Something about that made me feel much less homesick for Australia.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Come in with an open mind, don’t hold onto judgement for anyone, lose your pride, and be silly!

What was the hardest part about teaching abroad?

The hardest part of teaching abroad would have to be minimizing your luggage. A lot of the time I would have to prioritize necessities when packing so that I wasn't carrying around a huge suitcase 

What is one thing you wish you would have known before teaching abroad?

To be honest, before I left I got as much advice from friends and family as possible by asking this same question. Therefore, I don't really think I wish I knew anything else beforehand, I was really well prepared!

If you could teach abroad again, where would you go?

I plan to perhaps teach in Japan in the future or maybe even return to Europe for a second time.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of teaching abroad is?

The biggest benefit of teaching abroad would have to be the beautiful friendships and relationships you make along the way, I now have a new friend from almost every part of the world which is really cool! Not to mention a family that misses me in most major cities of Italy.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I feel so fired up for the next time I travel. My social skills have gotten so much better, my Italian speaking confidence has improved dramatically, and I have a clear view on what I want to do in life.

Would you recommend ACLE to others? Why?

Absolutely, I already have. It is the single greatest experience I have ever had the honor of being a part of.