Alumni Interview with Joanna Tatro

What inspired you to go abroad?

I love travelling, and have always wanted to spend a longer time in Italy to gain experience in the language, which I am studying as I pursue a master's degree in Italian language and literature.  

Why did you choose Scuola Di Italiano Dante Alighieri?

I won a scholarship to study abroad through my school, as well as the opportunity to work as an intern at ELI publishing, which interests me because I would like to work in translation and I speak several of the languages in which they offer textbooks.  

What was your favorite part about your host city?

I loved that Recanati's citizens spoke only Italian with the students and were patient, understanding, and helpful. It created a safe environment in which to practice the language in an authentic setting.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The internship was very hands-on, I did practical work and partnered with editors who were interested in my growth. I also gained first-hand perspective of an Italian workplace.  

How did local staff support you through the program?

Both at the publishing house and at the school, the staff were very open and friendly, often checking in with me to see if I needed anything, and to ask me how things were going. It meant a lot to know who I could turn to if I had any concerns.  

Describe a typical day in the life of your program

I would typically go to work at 8 a.m., stopping by the café in the piazza for a caffé and brioche.  I would take the bus to Loreto and work at ELI from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., taking a lunch break with the other employees (at a restaurant down the street), and return to Recanati around 6 p.m.  

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I would through the town, visit the piazza, meet up with friends for aperitivo, take excursions with the school whenever possible, cook dinner with friends, etc.

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

The first year, I lived in an apartment with three women from Argentina. This year, I lived in a palazzo with other American students. I enjoyed both experiences, but I spoke more Italian with the Argentinians, as they knew no English. I felt more comfortable with the Americans, as they were also friends from home.

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

The internship at the publishing house is an authentic, serious environment. There are other people working in your office, but the work (mostly proofreading texts) is very intense and can be tedious if it is not of particular interest to you. It was the perfect job for me, but I can see how it may not appeal to someone not interested in publishing.

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

I have maintained a great relationship with the people I worked with, as well as some of the staff members at the school. I have also noticed that my Italian has improved quite a bit and I have more confidence in my abilities.  

What is one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I would have liked to stay longer, obviously, but also I should have saved more money in order to really take advantage of the proximity of nearby Umbria, the beaches, and Italy in general.  I would have liked to travel to more towns.

Would you recommend Scuola Di Italiano Dante Alighieri to others? Why?

This program is great and I would definitely recommend it to anyone trying to learn Italian language and culture. It is a great immersion program in that the town is small enough that you make real connections and speak a lot of Italian.