A gap year in Italy
Gap years in Italy
Italy is one of the most romanticised countries in Europe. And mama mia, does it live up to the hype. For the sentimental, the classicists, and the lovers of good food, it’s a must-see. After all, you haven’t really done Europe until you’ve sipped espresso in Rome, mingled with the models in Milan, and peered into the crater of Vesuvius. Make the most of your Gap Year and explore this glamorous country from top to toe – you may find it hard to push off…
Gap Year Opportunities
Whatever you do in Italy, you’ll probably need a fair grasp of the language. This applies whether you’re teaching English – in a school or private company – or working at a hostel. Manual jobs (picking olives and grapes) that don’t require language skills are often given to local people or immigrants, especially in areas of high unemployment. (But look out for notices of unpaid positions, which sometimes include free accommodation and food.)
Getting Around
Train is a great way to travel from North to South: make sure you know precisely what time yours leaves, because kindly Italians could easily misdirect you at the station! Many trains are of the old-fashioned design, but there are lots of modern options – Eurostar and InterCity – too. Trains are inexpensive but to save more money, you could use the national coach service.
About Italy
The Italian economy is comfortable – trade depending quite heavily on exports (like cars, wine, fashion, and coffee machines). Because the country produces a lot of its own consumables, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at lower prices than in the UK. Order your wine in a carafe (jug), buy panini to go, and drink your espresso standing at the counter for best prices.
If you haven’t been to Italy before, beware – that shabby student-style chic you’ve been working on for years will not blend in here. Italy is a lot like a big fashion advert. It sounds like a cliché but it’s true: the Italians are a handsome breed. Men and women are almost always immaculately groomed, and there’s an abundance of designer shops to satisfy their needs. Even the police are dressed by Armani. So, if you don’t want to be greeted as a tourist everywhere you go, leave behind your old jeans and vintage sweatshirts.
Women – when properly dressed – should also be prepared for public appreciation. The men outdo their ‘Stallionate’ reputation, greeting passing women with “Ciao, bella”s (don’t they ever get tired?) and stepping aside to save ladies from treading in puddles (think of the leather). Italian women are, necessarily, well-trained in sassy retorts (so think some up on the flight over).
What to see in Italy
Rome… the eternal city. It’s absolutely possible that you will never want to leave Rome – the pulse in the heart of every Italian. More glamorous, more cultured, and more high-heels than any paltry UK city, Rome captures the heart of thousands of tourists every year. Frank Sinatra sang about it, Audrey Hepburn filmed movies about it, and now you can discover all that’s wonderful about it. Strolling around this capital city, you’ll suddenly happen upon an ancient charm – the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps – which takes your breath away. Marvel at the devout followers loitering outside the Vatican (an independent ‘state’ governed by the Pope), wear out your feet carrying designer bags up and down the Via dei Condotti. And how about the food… for the best experience, you must eat in the back-street trattorias and grab lunch on the move – like the Romans do.
Once your work in Rome is over (or you’re all pleasured out), an Interrail pass is an excellent way to explore the rest of Italy. There’s so much to see, from the slowly-sinking isle of Venice to Florence (the artists’ favourite), Milan (supermodels’ haunt), Naples (home of the Italian mafia), Pompei (deserted town preserved in lava) and Vesuvius (which you can climb, if you dare brave the smoking brim). Finish – if you’ve got the budget – with a luxurious break on the Amalfi coast, favourite holiday spot of the rich and famous. Or you could just pack up and hit the next country…