Italian language and Culture

Loved the location, the lessons (especially the morning sessions), the activities although I did not like the idea of more than an hour in a bus, and the housing which worked really well as the school appeared to give some thought as to who they chose as room mates.
Feel the school needs to provide a separate category for students over 50 years old and cater for the fact that the language delivery needs to be slowed down to cater for anziani. They might like to give a bit more consideration to the composition of the class too. My class was predominantly filled with Spanish students who intrinsically understand Italian but when they speak Italian it was unrecognisable to me and my Australian colleague.

First, a little background. I went to Italy on vacation, a language learning vacation. I do not travel often, but when I do travel, I like to get my hands dirty, so to speak. This trip was also a birthday present to myself. I turned 64. This was also the beginning of a search for a place to live when I retire. I am hoping that you can connect some of the dots why I went to language school in Italy.

I bought my very first smart phone as part of this trip. My brand new iPhone SE stopped working when I crossed the ocean. WhatsApp still worked, but no telephone, no texting, no Internet unless I was at an airport with WiFi. I was alone, and I was vulnerable. I hate it when that happens. Suddenly I was dependent upon the school for help. And I do not enjoy being dependent.

Then I missed my connecting flight to Ancona. The plane was still on the ground, and I had 15 minutes before takeoff, and it was a small plane. Lufthansa said, "No, Sorry." Then they gave me a hotel room.

The people at the school understood. Everybody there gave me assistance. Starting with Anna who was always my primary contact. I want to name them all, but there is not enough space.

I arrived a day late, and again the school people understood, and they are all friendly and helpful. I live in a part of the USA where people are not very helpful. This was a new experience for me. But I was a day late, and I was the only American.

The classroom experience is the reason I came to Italy, and this is where Scuola Dante really sparkled. Samantha was la professoressa in my class of beginners and she was magnificent. Samantha understood everything and everybody. She commanded with great respect and courtesy the directive of Italian immersion. She speaks clearly, and with purpose. She does her homework. She knows something about each of the students. She is the hardest working teacher who I have ever met. I have some education experience. College graduate (biology), Peace Corps volunteer, (west Africa), paralegal school, EEG school (monitoring brain wave activity). Almost immediately Samantha was our best friend forever.

I only have good things to say about the program. The village of Recanati is beautiful, and they have everything that a person would need. The location is rural, yes, but not isolated. You can see the Adriatic. The classroom was comfortable...for a classroom, and we had all the necessary supplies. The trips were pleasant and helpful. They provide a nice break from studying, and provide a memorable experience. Please do not change this aspect of the program.

I stayed in an apartment located just beyond the wall. I had WiFi, and everything I needed. The walk to class is about 10-minutes. Just enough to gather my wisdom and breathe some sea air.

I dearly enjoyed all of the other students. Many came to Italy from Argentina, others from Chile and Brazil. They were young college students, ages 17 to early 20s, although a few students are older than 40. Not me. I may be older than most, I do not feel old. I studied, and I arrived on time to class everyday, and I went on the trips. I'm working it. I sat for the mid-term exam. I didn't need the mid-term because I was there for fun.

On the final day, Martina in the office told me about ICC, the Italian Cultural Center located in Minneapolis where I live. "They came here, and we showed them around." This was news to me, and when I arrived home I became a new member, and I enrolled in the language class, level 1, beginner.

My trip home was even worse. Martina arranged taxi service to the Ancona airport. Taxi guy arrived at 4 in the morning. At 4:40 we found the airport closed, and the flight was canceled. I wanted to cry because the sky was dark, and I had no plan, and no exit strategy. Taxi guy says, "Wait here, they will open, they can help you."

Sound advice. I'm telling you, the Italian people are friendly and helpful. The airport opened at 5, the support staff found a way home for me. My flight was canceled because Lufthansa, there's that name again, was out on strike. What a way to end a vacation. Today I am laughing, but back then..? I sent a WhatsApp message to taxi guy, and he replied with great energy and good thoughts and wishes for me to reurn to Italy. "I will return" was my reply.

The facilities were great, the teachers very patient, and the school as a whole was extremely well-organized.

There were many included cultural outings to places such as Rome, Florence, the beach, Assisi, the caves in Frasassi, as well as optional pay-extra outings to Venice, Naples and others.

I was there primarily to study, so I didn’t go on all of the outings, but it is a particularly great organization if these cultural trips are up your alley!

Recanati is a tiny city, but peaceful and beautiful.

I highly recommend the Dante Alighieri school!

I did like the school very much. The teacher was nice, the students were nice. I have learned a lot. I only followed the lessons, so I can't say anything about the activities and the housing.

All school staff were very attentive, they were always available to help. The teachers were sensational. The school was renovated and is more modern and cozy. The rides were awesome. I have only praise for this school. I intend to return soon!

My experience was wonderful. I learned the Italian language, teachers are good, amiable, smiling and a fantastic place. Everything was wonderful.
For me it was an excellent and unforgettable experience.

Hello,

I am happy to take this opportunity to share my experience at the Scuola Dante Alighieri Camerino with you.

Upon arriving at the train station in Castelraimondo, we were met by the ever friendly and professional staff of the school.
Our accommodation was clean and ready before as we set foot in Camerino.

The class size was perfect, insuring easy interaction and the teacher was absolutely fantastic.
Giusy is everything a student could ask for. She is an excellent pedagogue, always attentive to the students' needs and she creates a very comfortable, positive and stimulating environment in which learning Italian is a very enjoyable experience.

Then, the school organized trips to some of Italy's most beautiful and historically rich cities (Bologna, Venice, Pisa, Florence, etc.) These outings were guided by the school's staff, who provided relevant information and helpful assistance. I was really impressed by the quality of organization of these trips. Everything went smoothly and the bus was always very comfortable.

Finally, the school organized events such as an international dinner, a dinner/evening in a beautiful and nearby castle, a karaoke night, and a pizza tasting dinner, among others. This helped the students to socialize and get to know each other.
One of the nicest things about taking part in such a program, is that you get to meet and bond with interesting people from all over the world.

In short, I would totally recommend this school. Some students were participating in the program for the second, third, and even seventh time! This says a lot about the quality of this institution.

I hope this review gives you an idea about the Scuola Dante Alighieri.

Best regards,
Manuel

I am 17 years old and thanks to my parents, I can have this trip. Despite my young age I must say that this was the best experience of my life.
Saturday May 2, 2015 were 22 students left from Santa Fe, Argentina, eager to enjoy this highly anticipated and so called dream trip.
The next day we arrived at Camerino and in the main square of the town, we expected the staff of the Scuola Dante Alighieri, hostess at our stay in the Italian soil. We were greeted warmly and were always attentive to our needs: teachers, guides and all staff were devoted to us all the time, always with a smile, making us feel safe and not alone.
Times were very strict, fluid information and interesting activities, showing that they are an example of team work and organization. Throughout the month we were able to experience the Italian culture with students and adults from other latitudes.
My teacher during the month I was in Italy was Giusy. I cannot just express how much I appreciate it, I was really touched because besides being a wonderful person, he is an excellent teacher and helped me understand Italian from another point of view. Without hesitation, I can say that my skills with regard to Italian language greatly improved. Classes (which were almost always in the morning but varied according to the activities), were very practical, fun and bearable. With each passing day I was leaving happy in class thinking about how many things I had learned and how anxious I was to continue learning alongside people from other places of Argentina and the world (Mexico, Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, USA, Canada, Germany, Spain, etc.).
The department provided by the school was very acceptable, comfortable and matched with all the necessary elements. What I liked is how close it was to the school.
All'Antico had the Serata di Castello Rocca D'Ajello with dinner, dancing and music, an unforgettable night. In The International Dinner where we had to present a dish, we got the first place with the "chocotorta" and "Milanesa to the Neapolitan". Another night we enjoyed was the Serata Karaoke, in which we dress and sang Italian songs. We had the opportunity to partake of the medieval festival "rievocazione Storica della Corsa alla Spada e Palio" by dressing according to the time and parading through the city, an experience you will never forget.
All the places we visited left us dumbfounded:
We spent a hot but unforgettable day in Venice and had the opportunity to travel by gondola absolutely admiring all of this unique city; We visit the magical lands of Rome and the Vatican City, visiting many places; we went to Pisa, we climbed the 294 steps of the Leaning Tower and finish the walking in the rain for visiting Siena; we could enjoy a sunny day on the beach of the Adriatic Sea where we had fun metiéndonos water, then visited Loreto; were amazed at the famous grottoes Frassasi, spectacular scenery of nature where we saw stalactites and stalagmites of strange shapes; we went to Firenze, a city full of charm that never had astonish with its art masterpieces, colorful marbles of its buildings and architectural works that evoke the development of culture and art; We had an afternoon of shopping in Bologna and we dazzled by visiting Gubbio, Assisi and San Marino. But, with my colleagues, most agreed that that is one of the most extraordinary and magical places we had the opportunity to visit, was the Isle of Capri. There, divided into groups, we made a boat tour around the whole island accompanied by a guide. We observe the spectacular hills, cliffs and caves. We enter the Blue Grotto, with which we were fascinated and went into the crystalline sea although it was cold. Back to Naples, lunch at "Brandi" pizzeria in which was born the "Pizza Margherita" 100 years ago and had a guided tour by bus where we see the "Vesuvius" volcano, among other things. We learned things and met many of these places, but certainly, we could not have done it without the help and support of Carlo, an exceptional guide, who, thanks to his vast knowledge could transmit us everything you know about these extraordinary sites. It would not have been the same without him.
This was a month full of study, adventure, friends, party, excitement, fun, reflections, learning and fellowship. A trip that I will remember forever with great emotion and joy and I will carry it in my heart for the rest of my life.
Mille SCUOLA DANTE ALIGHIERI CAMERINO! <3 hope to return at some point in my life and I recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to do so.

I'd like to say how much I enjoyed this past month in Camerino and at Scuola. It was a pleasure to study with you, my teacher Giusy was fantastic. I learned a lot more than I expected. Just one point maybe to take into account would be the differences in age and also levels in the same group. I know it's not simple, but maybe a very short oral evaluation with the entrance test? Just a suggestion! My overall experience was flawless. I'd definitely come back another time (perhaps for the gastronomy course!) And I will most certainly encourage my students to take this course at Dante.
Thank you Anna and everyone at Dante. You really make a difference in people's lives and should be proud of it! :)

Marilia Dalmaso Delarissa Zupirolli - febbraio 16

It was an excellent trip, the people of the town was so kind and good. The teachers were great, also my partners. The location was perfect, a small town in the mountains, not much people, and very safe. I liked everything in this trip. I will recommend this experience to all my friends because it is unique and amazing. I'll like to do it again.

Giusy the best teacher EVER! I'll miss them all

You are great!
We learned from you:
the culture of the people most loved in the world,
the history of the ancestral homeland,
the unrepeatable art,
the sweet language,
the view of the red sunsets and green fields,
the poetry of Sibillini Monti,
the voice of the Adriatic Sea,
the simplest form of life with refinement.

Unforgettable...
I am happy to have you as friends
Thank you

It was easy to immerse myself in the daily lives of Camerino. The scenery was gorgeous. I could walk everywhere without losing the way. The people of the village were friendly and were easy to talk with about anything. They say that the experiences are better souvenir and the school, students and teachers remain in my dreams. Our teacher was great. He taught the well-organized lessons with lots of activities. She was very energetic and explained clearly the grammar and we had fun. There were also many trips to places of interest; also during the week that I missed at least 3-4 hours of class for a day trip. I would have liked to spend more time in class. It 'a little' hard to reach Camerino, but it is also a good part of its charm. The inhabitants don’t talk to me in English; it was just what I needed. I really enjoyed Hotel Dukes, it was comfortable and I always remember their kindness. (Their ice cream is homemade and is to die for.) First mistake: I did not follow the full course, only a few weeks. Next time I will enroll for all weeks. A second mistake: I should take fewer trips organized by the school to enjoy more lessons.

I was lucky enough to have Jiusy as my professor and I'm so happy. His lessons were fun but I learned a lot . I liked the town , even though I thought it would be boring. But in the end it was all different!!!
At the apartment we were fine. What we did not like was that you entered the apartment when we were not there. (We had no problem but that is not correct).
Even the time for us in Bologna, a very important city, we were only there for 3 hours!!!!! The rest was all right.