First Month in Italy: My Honest Thoughts on Being an Expat
Like everything in life, moving to a different country has its highs and lows. One thing I know for sure: I don't regret moving to Italy at all. I am 100% in love with living in Florence and would not trade it for the world. The city is really starting to feel like home and that is exciting! But, despite what my Instagram may make it seem like, it has not been all rainbows and butterflies.
My first two weeks in my favorite country (and city) in the world were spent in complete isolation due to the mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Talk about a bummer. I knew how important it was to respect the COVID regulations so I quarantined with reckless abandon (hey, Netflix binges, I see you). But gosh was it painful to sit in my tiny studio flat for two weeks alone while I watched the world pass me by from my window. That said, it was a very short snapshot in the grand scheme of things and I am grateful to be out and exploring now.
The moment I left quarantine I was faced with the daunting task of arranging my permesso di soggiorno (the necessary residency document for foreigners to legally reside in Italy). I went from one government building to the next for days trying to get the correct information and documents to go about my immigration responsibly. Did I mention I spoke basically no Italian? A fun experience for all involved. I cried at least 3 times. But...I got it figured out! I have my questura appointment date and the sacred piece of paper after all. If you ever talk to someone who tells you immigrating is easy, they're lying! It is certainly not for the faint of heart. Occasionally I have people reach out to me saying they're interested in moving to Italy and wondering what it's going to take. I always tell these people to absolutely follow their heart and go for it...but you have to REALLY want it. It is worth it, but you have to seriously buckle down and prepare for the worst because Italian bureaucracy is like nothing I have ever seen before.
Ok so I got out of quarantine, I got my immigration documents settled, it should be smoothing sailing now right? Wrong. Then (and just my luck) I had a minor health emergency that required immediate medical attention. I'll spare you the details, but it made me very aware of my reality as an immigrant. I realized how much I had taken for granted the privilege of just being able to get a doctor no questions asked. And I don't want to make this sound more dramatic than it was...Italy has a great and pretty generous public health system and will not refuse anyone. However, I did have to do my research on where I could go as a foreigner and how to navigate medical care without being a citizen, having local health insurance, or speaking very much Italian. Jeez...not my favorite experience for sure!
All of these experiences aside, living in Italy has also been absolutely incredible. I worked my butt off for almost a year to make this dream a reality and I am beyond grateful to be living la dolce vita :) Florence is beautiful, the language is enchanting, the food is orgasmic, and the community is passionate! Italy oozes elegance. Italian culture is all about good food, coffee, wine, history, art, and love. All of my favorite things.
Truthfully, what I love the most about Italian life is it does not matter how much of a "normal" life you live. You can have a 9-5 job, be a full-time student, whatever, and life is still so captivating. You are surrounded by beauty everywhere you go and the city is booming with possibilities. Adventure is a staple in my life, regardless of the fact that I work/study a regular 40 hour week. I am always trying new food, visiting new spots in the city, and learning about not only Italian culture but also myself and my place in the world. Long story short, the struggle pays off and I am so in love with my life right now. You know when you start to fall in love with a person and you can't even put the feeling into words because it is so magical? That's how I feel about Italy!
Un abbraccio,
Catalin