Hello! I’m Marta from Barcelona, Spain. I would like to do an italian course in the school for 8 or 12 weeks. But I’m afraid I will need to gain some money to pay the acomodation, food…
Do you think is difficult to find a job/ part-time job in Rome? (in a restaurant, disco, shop…)

Thank u!!

P.D. Sorry for my english!

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Dear Marta,
Thanks for taking the time to ask… unfortunately, not many students have asked this question before, and some are discourage of embarking in a study abroad experience. I personally considered important when I was about to enroll at Torre di Babele. I knew that the experience of coming to Italy and learning Italian had to be exciting but I had to consider my budget first. I did not have my parents’ support.

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Anyhow, as Australian-Italian, it wasn’t difficult for me to find a part-time job in Rome. Why? Because Rome is truly a cosmopolitan city. There are particular neighborhoods such as Campo dei Fiori, where at nights the common language is English. You do not need to be a pro in English, just know enough to get you by, and ask for a job as a waitress. They are always looking for people. Particularly, during the summer which is Rome’s highest visiting season.

As a Spaniard you won’t have any troubles with paperwork since you belong to the EU. In fact, my advice is tailored to your particular situation as a member of the EU.

Even though I can’t promise you that you will actually find a job in Rome (because it doesn’t depend on me but on you), the possibilities are endless. You just have to start looking. So please, do not be discourage…

Option 1: You enrol and Torre di Babele will find housing for you and book your language course. Learn enough Italian and then go out there and get a job.

-if you aren’t sure?

Option 2: Come to Rome first see if you can find a job on your own without Italian and then come to the school.

It’s all up to your own considerations, whether the budget is enough to get you by for a month while you find a job.

I took option one cause I had some money aside but I do not regret it. Learning a lil’ Italian before was a plus when trying to find my part-time job.

I have to be honest, Rome is not and easy job market. But it has so many pros on my personal balance of pros vs cons that I just decided to go for it. It was always a dream of mine to this on my own.

Italian will always be an important, believe me… learning the language and getting my CILS accreditation made it easy for me to find a more stable job. But hey… difficulties are also part of the whole backpacking experience.

Please do not hesitate to ask more questions. I hope I’ve answered your question. I’m so excited that I can give you advice from my own experience as a study abroad.

If you want to enrol at TDB for and 8 weeks or 12 weeks course be sure to check out their new enrollment application. Jesus (the school’s e-Marketing Manager) does nothing else but talk to everyone about it. So i felt it was my duty to inform everyone through the blog.

Use the following link to enroll in Spanish:

Book your Italian course in Spanish

Regards,

Carlie

P.S. I apologize for my delay… I’m still getting a hold of wordpress…

P.S.2. @ Everyone! Hello out there… please contribute on the comments if you have more info on how to find a part-time job in Rome. Common knowledge is power!

Meike wrote:
Hallo… I’m Meike from Köln, Germany. Me and boyfriend are considering the possibility of spending two weeks in Rome. However, I must confess, we are on a tight budged. I was wondering whether it would be a good thing to visit Rome on a budget, or shall we wait for a while until we have a enough?

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Hi Meike…

Honestly – I also came to Rome on a very tight budget… wait, let me rephrase that, an acutely tight budget! I asked a friend of mine the same question. Here is her answer…. hopefully this will shed some light on your question.

Hey Carlie…

If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in a few days, then it’s definitely worth buying a Rome Tourist Pass which is valid for 3 days. The Rome Tourist Pass grants you entry into all the attractions (except the Vatican Museum) as well as bus, train and metro.

Also keep in mind that some sites offer free entry at certain times of the month (i.e. the Vatican Museum offersFree Entry on the last Sunday of each month). However, you might get in for free, but so will hundreds of other people, so be prepared for crowds!

Don’t forget that some of the best things in life are free – and wandering the streets of Rome, day or night, can be a wonderful experience and doesn’t cost a thing.

The line in her email, “Don’t forget that some of the best things in life are free” made me re-think my whole position of coming to Rome. I realized that almost 90% of the real attractions in Rome are for free. The Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Roman Forum, The Gianicolo, Trastevere and its churches, The Pantheon… just a few of the many open air attractions which are for free… so I set my budget for my language course and daily living expenses, and came over with lots of energy to wander around. Believe me, in two weeks you won’t have the time to see everything Rome has to offer – it’s an extraordinary city!

I hope this has changed your position and you make it to Rome. It really is possible to see Rome on a budget. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see ancient works of art in a cosmopolitan city which has lots to offer… you and your boyfriend won’t regret it, I promise!!

Carlie

P.S. @ Everyone! As usual… please comment on any monuments or attractions which one can visit for free in Rome.