Language assistant

My name is Thea and I am the English Language Assistant at the ITE Raetia this year! I come from a small town in the UK called Godalming (in Surrey), and I attend university in a city called Exeter (in Devon) where I study Politics alongside Italian. I am in my third year of university, and so I decided to take a placement year, rather than to do the regular 3 year course. Becoming a language assistant was not something I had imagined myself doing this time last year, but the thought of graduating and leaving full-time education in 2025 was simply too daunting and so I figured I’d better use this year to travel and experience something different.

Whilst I don’ t speak German (nor Italian really, but I am learning…), South Tyrol has been a dream destination of mine, and I am very lucky to have been allocated a role here, especially in Val Gardena. I have never taught English as a foreign language before, and so whilst the students are learning things from me, I myself am learning things from them and also the other teachers– which is a rare experience I am very grateful for, and won’t forget! Moving to a new country (temporarily, for now) is the scariest adventure I have ever embarked on, but with the help of the British Council and the amazing teachers here, I have been able to settle in as seamlessly as possible! I am looking forward to the rest of this year and next very much and hope to see as much of this beautiful region - and country - as I can!