Messina
 

Hi folks,

I'm a 25 year old girl from Yorkshire and have just finished my degree in French, Italian and Spanish. I'm about to complete the CELTA qualification in order to come out to Italy and have been applying for positions in Catania and Messina in Sicily as, despite seeing a lot of Italy's mainland, I've never been to Sicily and think that as a place it could be a really interesting place to live in.

Does anyone have any knowledge about Messina? I've done a fair bit of research on Google but it seems that Messina is rarely mentioned. Is it unattractive as a destination? I have to admit, from what I have heard about Catania, I think I would love it there, but I'm due to be interviewed on Friday for a job in Messina so was hoping to hear from people who might put me off or encourage me!

Any advice massively appreciated, and any other Sicily knowledge anyone can impart would be gratefully received too :)

Nice to meet everyone,

Pol

Re: Messina
 

Hi,

Have you thought of Catania? Messina is a bit miserable...

Re: Messina
 

...sorry you even mentioned Catania! Hadn't read the message properly. But really, it's a much more with it area...

Re: Messina
 

i'd really love to find a job in catania but at the moment i'm struggling to. do you live in catania?

Re: Messina
 

sorry just seen that you live in bari. i liked puglia a lot on one visit i had to trani, only saw bari briefly. i really don't want to make a rushed decision but they're interviewing me in half an hour over the phone!

ah well i guess if they offer me it i can always turn it down. think i might hold out for a more lively city...

Re: Messina
 

No. I live in Bari. My husband was offered a job in Catania a couple of years ago but we decided not go. I wouldn't have minded the experience though. I just had a look on tefl.com for you but there aren't any jobs going there. Only jobs are in Siracusa (2 in fact) but you really wouldn't want to go there! Keep looking, I'm sure something'll crop up eventually!

Re: Messina
 

good luck-see what they offer, it might be good wages AND good hours!

Re: Messina
 

Hey. The hole of sicily is amazing. but yea catania is awesome in every way. my father is frm catania. id suggest to take the job in messina.its nt a bad place. once u there u can always secure a job in catania.after all its only 45 min away.. good luck

Re: Messina
 

i look like a total nerd responding to this thread straight after someone has replied :(

i promise its just coincidence! I might actually have a job in Catania now, just looking at the specifics of the contract. Dunno if anyone has ever taught in a school in Italy? Any ideas as to whether being employed under contract as a "freelance" teacher is bad/good/legal? Also, maybe someone has heard of the Centro Fonolinguistico Sperimentale, a Catania?

Ta folks :thumbsup:

Re: Messina
 

Me again... if your heart is not just set on sicily I could possibly arrange a job for you in north italy close to Vicenza. ur frm england rite? let me knw

Re: Messina
 

Haha u dont Look like a nerd. We all been through this before Hun. ok with regard to a freelance contract thats not very ideal especially if your stayin there for a year or longer and need something steady. but if ur good they will do anything to keep u

Re: Messina
 

yes i just had a look re. freelance and its literally the hours you work, no hols, no sick pay.... ive been told i will always be paid 150 euro a week for a minimum of 15 hours, but that my working hours will more than likely be 20-30 a week. Do you have any idea about what i would need to live on in Catania? I see that rooms start at about 150 euro for the worst and you can get something reasonable for 200-250. if i was earning 600 net i doubt id have enough to live on, got debts to pay in the uk too! :thumbsup:

Re: Messina
 

realisticly 600 is nt allot. it would just cover ur living expenses.so u wuld survive but ur debt in the uk wuld stay behind unles u did extra hours provided there r.wuld u be keen on a job up north? im teaching here til next june then goin back to catania

Re: Messina
 

sent u a pm ;)

Re: Messina
 

What are you teaching ?