Chasing the Dream: My Journey from Italy to Teaching in the U.K.

Hi, I'm Maria, and I come from the beautiful country of Italy. I’ve always had a passion for learning, so it was no surprise that I chose to study Classics. I worked hard, earning a master’s degree with first-class honours, but deep down, I had a dream that went beyond academic success. That dream? To move to the U.K. and become a teacher. So, I packed up my life in Italy and moved to a new country, ready to share my love for education with the next generation.

I wasn’t sure where to begin or what steps to take. In an effort to get started, I decided to attend an English school in Brighton to prepare for the IELTS exam. Ironically, I later discovered that I didn’t even need to take it! But during this time, I began researching teacher training programmes and met some amazing people who were more than willing to help guide me.After a lot of research and preparation, I wrote my personal statement and submitted my applications, hoping for an invitation to interview. And in January 2018, I passed my first university interview for the PGCE programme in Classics. I was the happiest person in the world! Honestly, I didn’t fully know what I was doing, but somehow, I made it work.In January 2018, I decided to accept the university offer from Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. If you’ve never been to Lincoln, I highly recommend visiting—it's a beautiful and historic city!

Studying in the UK can be incredibly expensive, but with determination and a bit of luck, I managed to secure a bursary. However, the financial relief was only part of the challenge. The teacher training programme itself was tough. I had to pass multiple assessments and complete two school placements before I could finally graduate in July 2019.Just a few months after graduating, I landed my first teaching job at Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls. There, I completed my induction year and proudly earned my Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). But something inside me kept pushing for more—my dream was growing. I wanted to become Head of Department. Fast forward four years after completing my PGCE, and that dream became a reality. I was promoted to Head of Latin and Classical Civilisation and became the Assistant Oxbridge Coordinator at the wonderful private school where I currently work.

So, what's next on the horizon? Who knows! As Walt Disney once said, "If you can dream it, you can do it." So, I'll keep daring, and I'll keep dreaming.