Hannah worked in Italy

‘What I most enjoyed about working in Italy was living in a completely different culture, understanding how people do things differently and realising that what we do back in Great Britain is just one way that people live and go about their daily lives.

‘I would 100% recommend it - I think everyone should work or live abroad at least at one point in their lives! It's so healthy to get out of your comfort zone and experience different places, different people, different cultures. Ultimately I think it makes you more accepting of different viewpoints and enhances your outlook on life.

‘That whole “broadening your horizons” quote is very true. You break old traditions, experiment with new things. It's very healthy for all involved, including the people you meet when you are away.'

What aspects of your time away would you recommend?

‘Before working in Italy I travelled around Europe with friends and I would definitely recommend going to the places where people don't usually travel to.

‘When I first went travelling with a group of friends during university, we went to all the most famous cities in Europe - Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Venice, Rome, Barcelona. Everyday we woke up ridiculously early and spent the day visiting the busiest, most popular tourist sites. It was so incredible but I learned more about other tourists that I did about local culture and people!

‘After this, whenever I spent time abroad, I would head to the destinations where there are relatively few tourists. When I go to Italy, I head to the little towns in the Veneto region, where tourists are sparse. Here you get a real feel for the people and how they go about their everyday lives.

‘If you can, go for dinner with the local people, wherever you are. The things you can learn about people just from having dinner beats going to an expensive restaurant any day.'

How did you find the language?

‘As a British person, I feel incredibly privileged that wherever I have been I have never had a real problem with the language barrier. Obviously not everyone can speak fluent English but wherever I go I try and learn the basic vocabulary to get by. Usually conversations are a combination of my broken language and some one's much better English but usually we always manage!

‘Sometimes I travel with friends who can speak the native language and this has been really useful! If I needed further help I wouldn't hesitate to use the internet. I do think it's really important that you at least show some willing when speaking the native language of the country you are in. I would never go to a country and expect everyone to speak English.’

How did you get organised?

‘Occasionally I research the places I am going to, usually because I'm so excited and I need something to whet my appetite! However, I try to avoid guidebooks - I'd rather read a work of fiction that is set in the particular place I'm going to. Before I went to Spain, I read a lot of Hemingway. It gave me a much greater sense of the place than a guidebook would.

‘One of the companies I went abroad with was a language company based in England. They organised pretty much everything, including which families you were staying with.

‘Other times I've organised everything with a group of friends, without the guidance of a company or institution. I'd rather go travelling and have no definite itinerary.

‘With the company I taught with I had to undertake an interview and get the actual job first. Then I had to fill in forms concerning working with children abroad and I had to sign a contract.’