Hello! Some questions to the expats

Hi, my name is Constanze, i'm 18 years old and I live in Germany. Next year I'm finishing school and thinking about going to Rome for a few months since I love Italy and really want to learn the Italian language.

But still i'm not quiet sure if that's the right decision. So it would be great if you could answer some of my questions

Do you think its possible to be able to speak at least some Italian after 3 months? Of course not fluently but enough to have simple conversations? Oh, i forgot to tell that this trip will be a language holiday and i would be taking italian-classes 5-6 hours a day but then have free time in the afternoon. And i would live with an italien host family.
So how quickliy did you learn to understand and speak italian?

In addition I don't know how difficult it is to get along in a different country where very few people speak English and i'm not knowing anyone.
Maybe you made some experiences you can tell me.
That would be great because as you can see i'm still not convinced of my plan.

Thanks a lot and sorry for my rather bad English

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I think if you work hard you can speak alot of italian in no time especially as you would be studying it at a language school for hours on end! Living with an italian host family is a perfect way for you to practise your italian as well so that is a perfect situation.

There are plenty of expat groups that meet up in the evenings if you want to socialise with english speakers or we have members here on the board that live in roma to.

Also alot of people speak english in the tourist areas of Roma as they deal with tourists alot which is always helpful. Its not to hard to get around once you figure out the buses and the metro as well.

Thanks for answering! That was really fast ;-)
So yes, I'm willing to make an effort and try to learn as much as i can, of course. I'm glad you're saying it's not that hard.

I will definitely try to find some groups of expats to get to know other people.

I'm really looking forward to that. How is living in Rome? How is the city?

Roma is a lovely city i like it when its warm and not to hot and walking around the centre can be amazing!

Im quite lazy with my italian but as you have said if your going to be here doing a language school then it should be much easier for you. Just dont be shy about using the italian you pick up thats half the problem with me. I get shy when people correct my italian which shouldnt bother me really as they are only trying to help lol

And if you do come over and have any problems or feel homesick let us know on the forum and we can see what we can do to cheer you up

There are a few German restaraunts in the centre as well i believe if you get homesick for german food

That's really sweet. Thank you
Getting tips and being supported makes the whole thing easier because actuallay i'm shy. This is also one reason why i want to live alone in a foreign country: to become open to new things.

You should totally come to Italy! One thing I always wished I had done when I was younger is live abroad. If you have the opportunity, I say do it because it will forever change the way you think about the rest of the world and will also change how you think, period.

If you are in language school for that many hours a day and IF you take it seriously, you will be able to learn A LOT. Like Clare said, I think the #1 thing to do is talk. TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK, TALK, and don't worry about how you sound. I studied Italian for a few years when I was in high school and then university but I was never very good at speaking. It was only later, when I took a class a language school and told myself to just GET OVER IT AND TALK that I really made a lot of progress, and fast. I didn't get fluent but I did get to a high level quickly. It's all about speaking and listening.

Good luck and have fun!
-Michele

Hi Constanza

Let me tell you that when I was 18 I came to Rome (I knew no one) anand I stayed with a host lady and went to a language school. Now I am 37 and have 3 children with my Italian partner. At the language school I met Anne, a Danish girl, who has been my best friend ever since. She also met an Italian partner and is just about to have her second child. What can I say...beware what you wish for!
You must come, it is the experience of a life time!

you should definitely come! I came to Italy on a half-hearted whim and they still haven't managed to kick me out of the country yet!

Rome is an international city so it would be a great stepping stone to learning italian but also being close to the comforts of home which I think is important in the beginning, living with an italian host family is great way to learn the language faster, living with my (italian ) boyfriends family really fast-tracked my italian languages from mediocre to almost fluent within 6 months..

at the end of the day, what do you have to lose ..NOTHING.. you can always go back, Germany isn't goign anywhere and its a short ( for an american mentality of distance ) flight away. ( and cheap via ryanair- easyjet- air berlin) .. you will have a great time and learn alot..

im here in Florence if you have any questions

In the last few days I actually made my decision: I'm going! Right now I'm looking for good language schools and organisations. There ars sooo many! Hope I find the right one for me...Thanks a lot for your answers

Constanza wrote:In the last few days I actually made my decision: I'm going! Right now I'm looking for good language schools and organisations. There ars sooo many! Hope I find the right one for me...Thanks a lot for your answers

Hey Constanza

May I suggest: www.scuolaleonardo.com/

I attended Scuola Leonardo for a month last year and I loved it! I actually enjoyed it so much that I am planning on taking the year-long course beginning in February. The staff is amazing, very personable and fun. This school also organizes get-to-gethers with the students, lodging assistance and field trips all around Italy. Good luck on your move and language experiences !

Karla wrote:

Constanza wrote:In the last few days I actually made my decision: I'm going! Right now I'm looking for good language schools and organisations. There ars sooo many! Hope I find the right one for me...Thanks a lot for your answers

Hey Constanza

May I suggest: www.scuolaleonardo.com/

I attended Scuola Leonardo for a month last year and I loved it! I actually enjoyed it so much that I am planning on taking the year-long course beginning in February. The staff is amazing, very personable and fun. This school also organizes get-to-gethers with the students, lodging assistance and field trips all around Italy. Good luck on your move and language experiences !

Thank you. Did you live in a host family or togehter with other students? I'm a bit scared of living with an unfriendly family...

Hello again,

I actually lived with my Italian boyfriend and was able to gather alot from his family. The school gives you the option to live with other students, alone or with a host family. I know the feeling about the host family but this school clears the host family before your arrival and I'm sure they will give you options on whom you'd like to stay with. Good luck.

*I suggest contacting the school about their host family options.

my first experience with italian was a 1-month intensive course in firenze. we studied for 6 hrs a day and the rest just came naturally because i was surrounded by the host family and everyone else spoke italian...

it's a great experience and you will definitely learn a lot of italian in 3 months if you try not to speak english/german very often.

Ciao
rachel