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Originally posted by Rosaly:
I am here thinking about a foreign child arriving to live in Italy for, let's say a couple of years, and having to learn not only Italian but having to understand the other subjects taught in Italian as well and have good grades. I aldo don't like the fact of schools on Saturdays and I haven't even mentioned it to my daughter
Anyway, the only drawback I see in international schools are the extremelly high prices!!!

Hi Rosaly, Are you considering this as a permenant move or for a couple of years? Either way it certainly is an upheaval for sure and I can understand your worries but if you consider the reasons for your proposed adventure then an Italian school could still be a wise decision.If it is to truly experience Italian life and culture with it's ups and downs, learn the language and make friends then all that will happen quicker, at least for your child, in an Italian school.Your child is still young and although may have a nervous start but will soon adapt. You are right about fees, although the school in Genova is a good deal less expensive than say Florence or Rome, but fees are not the only drawback. International schools tend to have a "transient" compliment of students in general and if you want to really make a life your child needs a social network of kids that are here on a permenant basis, i.e. the locals.Friends was the single most important factor my daughter needed when she came here to start fitting in and feel less homesick. Her italian is coming on but I have no doubt she would be speaking a lot better by now had she been in the italian system. That said, we chose the international option because at nearly 15 we felt she had missed the boat a bit and in our case this was the more fitting option. Still it's a personal decision.

Rosaly, I understand your concerns as I had the same ones. But, we are very thankful that we took the risk and used the public school system. It was truly amazing to see how quickly Casey picked up the language. He did very well academically--we did not feel that his learning was handicapped but, instead, in many ways enriched. He made very good grades and at the end of the year was doing better in Italian grammar than most of his Italian classmates. We did have a tutor work with him twice a week with his homework and that was a very wise move. He became a part of the community--had many friends whom he still writes to and can't wait to see this summer. He is in seminar classes here in the states (for highly gifted sudents) and so we would not jeopardize his learning. When he came back, he fit right back into his appropriate grade level. So....give it some thought. It may be more scary to you than to your kids.

Hi all and thank you particularly Valli. Yes, I have been to the area - infact worked in Nervi as an au pair a million years ago!!! It would be great to have some contact with the school - but sadly they haved not responded to my emails so I feel best to ring - or just keep trying! Agree regarding the fees - absolutely amazing particularly as we will also need to keep paying school fees here in Oz! If we were staying longer than 9 months I would not hesitate with the local schools, but my greatest concern is Tom adapting quickly and easily. I am so pleased not to be the only one with these concerns/issues/challenges!!

Sadly the budget is not that great - still working on it really!! However, like so many others we are looking for that lovely 'not living in the city' experience! One of the things I am finding most difficult is actually locating a agent who may be able to help with longer term rentals - they all seem to be holiday rentals and high prices. How long have you lived in the area? We have visited Liguria on quite a few occassions but only as tourists! As I mentioned, I lived in Nervi but that was back in the early '80's and no doubt Genova and the area has changed a bit!!

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Camogli is certainly lovely but from what I know can be a little expensive but if you have a good budget then no problem.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alexandra:
It would be great to have some contact with the school - but sadly they haved not responded to my emails so I feel best to ring - or just keep trying!
Alexandra, are you mailing this address, info@asige.it ? This is the lady who deals with admissions.I too found they can be a bit slow responding but once you have their attention they are sweet and helpful. Perhaps it would be good to ring, ask for Patrizia Palla the admissions secretary, she's lovely.

Hi Valli - well my heart is very sad tonight. I finally spoke with Patrizia - you are right, just lovely - but the news was not so good. Almost, well, impossible for Tom to get into the school in 2009. Pisa is apparently good - but not really where we want to be..... oh well, onward and upward .....thank you for all your help.

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Perhaps it would be good to ring, ask for Patrizia Palla the admissions secretary, she's lovely.

Oh Alexandra what a shame! I guess your son would be in middle school? Do you know I have heard one or two of the parents have a little moan about the limited spaces in the lower years. Apparently for an International school, the ISG has a large proportion of local italian students. Now for me I see that as a good thing as the more italians my daughter mixes with the better I like it. But what a lot of them do is come until end of 8th grade, by which time they have good english, then filter back into the italian system. Consequently there can be limited availability for "foreigners" in the lower years but plenty in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades. Have you got info on the school in Pisa? We too went to visit but it wasn't an option because it only has students up to age of 12...or thereabouts. Very easily accessible from the train station by the way, 5 minutes walk...PLUS Pisa is a fairly short train ride from the lovely Lucca; what about that as an option? Not by the sea but really nice around that area.

Oh Alexandra what a shame!
Hi Valli, thanks so much for your message. Yes I was so sad as it is really the area in which we would like to live and the school seemed great. But I think you are right regarding numbers and the age groups. Tom was 10 yesterday so he is right in that 'band'! However Patrizia was lovely and also suggested Pisa. I spoke with them and seems as though we will have a place!!!! It does seem a very different school but with nice values.....can you tell me anything about Westminster? Thank you so much for all your help - maybe we will meet in Genova one day and share a vino bianco! Alexandra

Alexandra, can you contact me at alyson-at-alyson02.wanadoo.co.uk? I may be able to help re: Pisa, but easier if you e-mail me. Thanks!

I just found out about a Private English School in Lanciano. You can read about it Here. I think it's just for high school though.

Yes, I have read about it - but only for high school and I think only for boarders too. But thanks so much!

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I just found out about a Private English School in Lanciano. You can read about it Here. I think it's just for high school though

Thanks Alyson - have sent you an email!!

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Originally posted by alyson:
Alexandra, can you contact me at alyson-at-alyson02.wanadoo.co.uk? I may be able to help re: Pisa, but easier if you e-mail me. Thanks!

Hi all - well I have finally accepted that Genova is not the place!! Thanks for all your help Valli! I have spoken with the Westminster School in Pisa and they have been great. A much smaller school which I think will be good for Tom. Does anyone know anything about the school? It would be great to hear. Of course, now for the job of looking for a villa there!! Finally though I feel as though we are getting somewhere - baby steps - but at least steps forward!! Cheers!