Work Abroad: Walk And Talk in Italy with Makayla

The start to my adventure began in Twin Falls, Idaho. I was attending college and a study abroad booth was set up. I went to go check it out. I never thought I would travel, but it wouldn’t hurt to dream. So I got all of the information and just went to class, not even thinking about it too much.

Later when I was bored, I got on the website to check it out. I found GeoVisions on the website and came across the work abroad Walk and Talk in Italy program.

I thought it was really cool, so I decided I was going to make it happen!   That was the start of my amazing work abroad Walk and Talk journey.

Makayla poses with her host parents and one of her host sisters while on her work abroad walk and talk trip to Italy

Everyone here always asked me “Why Italy?” Well, everyone has that one place they want to visit before they die. For me, it has always been Italy.

My host family is so amazing! They are a family of four. The father and mother are Roberto and Roberta (it's a joke they have!)  And their adorable daughters, Arianna, 9, and Maila, 5 years old. Arianna is able to talk to me, but Maila only knows a few words in English.

I love spending time with them. They can always make me laugh because they are always joking and having fun. They take me to places  I would never see on my own. I love the little adventures they take me on. They take really good care of me.

A typical day in Italy isn’t anything too fancy. I get up and sometimes go running with Roberto and Arianna around 8 a.m. Then after we are all showered and clean, we start our lessons. We do four hours of English a day. We have two hours in the morning, then lunch, then an hour or so break before the last two lessons in the afternoon.

Makayla and her host family went to Ferrara to ride bikes

Then we sometimes go to the beach. It is about a half an hour drive from where they live in Jesi. Then we spend about three hours playing in the sea and then go back to have dinner. We sometimes just sit on the balcony and talk about anything after dinner. Then we go to bed and start it all over again the next day.

I didn’t really have any goals in the beginning because I didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted my host family to learn something and improve their English skills. Today I noticed with Maila that she can say words to get her point across, where in the beginning she only knew the ABC’s, 1-10, her colors, and very little other words. Now she can say certain words to get words across. I was impressed. With Arianna, I can tell her pronunciation has really improved as well. I am happy with just this.

Makayla and her host sister, Arianna, who is currently learning English

I don’t have much money to travel, but I have been to Genga to see the Grotte de Frassasi cave, Ancona, Senigallia, Serra, Ferrara, and Rome. Next weekend I am going to go to Florence and the last weekend in July, the last weekend I am here, the family is taking me to Venice!

At first, I was extremely nervous traveling alone. I have never traveled by myself before, so it was a little scary for me. My mom was worried, and my older sister was freaking out about it. She was fine after two weeks. Now I am OK with traveling by myself. I have learned a lot on my work abroad Walk and Talk adventure. When I get back I am planning on getting ready to go back to college and continue my education.

--Makayla