Milan is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with plenty to offer families, from parks and museums to a friendly international community and family-friendly events. At the heart of this city, MILE School stands out as a nurturing, bilingual environment where children can grow academically, socially, and creatively from an early age.
We spoke with Amanda Vojvodin-Dargenio, a Canadian mother raising her two young children in Milan alongside her Italian husband, about her experiences as a parent navigating the city’s educational landscape. Amanda shared with us her insights on bilingual education, how MILE School supports curiosity and independence, and why the school feels like an extension of home for her young family.
Exploring Bilingual Learning at MILE School in Milan
Please can you tell us a little about your family, where you’re from, and what first brought you to Milan?
I’m Canadian and my husband, Michelangelo, is Italian. We have two kids who were both born here, Leonardo (4) and Olivia (1). I first moved to Milan for my masters at SDA Bocconi, but we decided to “put down roots” here rather than Canada because of the work/life balance that I knew would be important once we started our family.
You have a lovely mix of Canadian and Italian backgrounds. How do you feel this influences your family life and the way you approach education for your children?
I grew up going to a bilingual school (English/French) and have very fond memories of my experience at school in Canada. I loved going to school, learning while singing, making art, thinking outside of the box and speaking a language that was new to me. The older I got the more I appreciated the fact that my parents decided to send me to a bilingual school because knowing multiple languages opened a lot of doors for me. I also think that my experience in a school with lots of resources (a computer lab way back before iPads even existed) made a huge impact on what I expect now as a mom for my own kids.
Your son who is now 4 joined MILE’s nursery when he was just 10 months old, and now your daughter has joined too. What first drew you to MILE?
We were first drawn to the school because of the bilingual aspect, but then once we visited the school and participated in an open day we realised just how much this school (and their teachers) had to offer.
How was the experience of settling into MILE as new parents? Did anything in particular make you feel confident that you’d made the right choice?
The staff has always been very down to earth, welcoming and extremely understanding. They were used the bilingual families and the teaching method (one teacher, one language) perfectly matched the method we decided to use at home so there was a continuity that I felt was excellent for the kids learning.
MILE’s bilingual Italian-English environment is at the heart of its approach. How do you see your children benefiting from learning and communicating in two languages from such a young age?
It’s been amazing to watch Leonardo learn both spontaneously! Olivia is just saying a few words now (ball, acqua, mamma) but she will probably learn just as her big brother did. I think it’s an amazing skill for kids to have for their future, because they might want to study/work/travel abroad and will not be at a loss in terms of the language.
Learning multiple languages also makes Leonardo feel very proud of himself because he sees that not everyone in his life can speak English so he likes to “help” his Nonna learn too. I personally think it makes for a more curious mind because (at least in Leonardo’s case) he’s constantly asking us how something is said in the other language. He’s a sponge!
The school places a strong emphasis on discovering each child’s talents and passions. How would you describe the way MILE’s teachers nurture curiosity and independence in young children?
The fact that the school is not enormous is an amazing plus because it means that teachers truly know each student (even the ones not in their own class) and see their growth. It helps the teachers give us parents more detailed feedback on how things are going and how we can supplement their learning through activities at home. I think the plethora of activities that the school offers (both during class or after school) adds something extra special for the students and encourages them to learn new things that interest them. They are given space to try, fail, grow and experiment in a safe and welcoming environment – which is amazing!
How does the school keep parents informed about what the children are learning? What do you appreciate most about the way the school structures each day?
Routine is SO important for kids when they are so young, so I appreciate that teachers have a syllabus that they follow (even in Nido) but that there is a standard daily structure which is followed daily. This, along with the app Kindertap, allows me to connect with the kids when they get home by asking specific questions about things I know they did at school that day, and makes it easier to bridge that connection between school life and home life.
How does MILE help create a sense of continuity between home and school, especially in a bilingual household like yours?
The fact that while walking down the hallway of the school you can hear both English and Italian all the time makes the atmosphere, at least in our case, feel just like being at home! I think it’s the most natural approach to teaching new languages to kids and it worked perfectly for Leonardo. His Italian was lagging a bit for a while, but with the encouragement of his teachers, and more time spent playing with Italian speaking friends, he’s learned SO much more vocabulary and has become more confident even in Italian.
Have you seen your son’s confidence or interests grow since joining the school? Are there particular moments that stand out for you as a parent?
Leonardo felt at home right away at MILE School. After 3 days there in the nursery I dropped him off in the morning with no issues. Now he asks if we can go do more activities there on the weekends! He’s become even more creative and artistic thanks to the method of teaching that they use at the school. I was particularly proud when he gave his sister the “pep talk” on her first day at MILE School telling her everything is OK and that she will love it there.
What is your favourite aspect of MILE School?
I love that it’s more than just a school where you drop off and pick up your kids, but truly and family and community! Teachers, staff and parents become a fundamental network that helps lift up each child to their full potential.
Milan is such a vibrant and family-friendly city. What do you enjoy most about raising your children here, and how does the school fit into that lifestyle?
Being such a big city means that there is always something going on and something to go do with the family. I love that the school embraces that and organises events for their students based on current events. Getting the students out and in the community to learn about the city they live in is so important, and MILE School does it, even as early as DayCare.
What advice would you give to other international or bilingual families in Milan who are looking for the right school for their children?
I would suggest visiting MILE School for yourselves because this sense of community, the love that their staff has for their students and the passion they have for their job is palpable while you are inside the school. It’s not something that can be “faked” and if you watch the kids in their classrooms you can see they are truly having fun while learning. Something I know all parents can agree, is the dream!
If you’re curious to learn more about MILE School and what it could offer your family, visit their website or book a tour to see the school in action.
Read more articles about international education on the MumAbroad blog, and find more information about family life in Milan.
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