In our first episode of 2025 we bring you a chat with Francesca, the creator of OzItaly, a unique concept which offers Australians the opportunity to experience life in Italy like a local. We have all the details in our chat, OzItaly which began in 2018, is a cultural exchange program where Australians are hosted by an Italian family for a period of 1-3 months. Participants and host families choose each other via a process facilitated by OzItaly. Francesca, a native Italian spent many years living, travelling and working in Australia and her understanding of the two cultures is a big part of what makes the program work so well. Participants must be over 18 years of age and purchase their airfare to Italy, once they arrive all expenses are covered- in return they are asked to speak English with their host family so the family is able to learn and practice speaking with a native English speaker. OzItaly also offers Australians an opportunity to have work experience in Italian schools, alongside a teacher to assist students to learn English. For more information or to apply for the program see the links below for the website and Instagram:

OZITALY – Italy Calling Australia ITALY CALLING AUSTRALIA - cultural exchange programme (@ozitalyofficial) • Instagram photos and videos We loved chatting with Francesca and the opportunity to provide our listeners with this information, we always enjoy hearing experiences of Italians who have travelled to Australia, our chat touched on many topics including food as it wouldn't be an episode of the Italian Australian Podcast if we didn't!!