The In-Between: Belonging Without Borders

For anyone who has ever lived in another country, this story, my story, may resonate with you. It touches on themes of belonging, nostalgia, and transformation—emotions that many of us experience when navigating life between different worlds.?Have you ever wondered where you belong? How do you answer that?

The journey

Growing up in Italy, my roots were planted firmly in the values passed down through generations—values that define what it means to be Sardinian and Italian. Family gatherings, where laughter and food were at the heart of everything, taught me the importance of togetherness, loyalty, and generosity. These values, deeply embedded in culture and community, formed the foundation of my character, helping me never lose sight of who I was and where I came from.

Leaving Italy was like stepping into a canvas of novel stories I had only imagined. There were moments of connection—sometimes fleeting but significant—that taught me that every person I encountered and every place I visited could add another layer to my ever-evolving sense of self.

At 28, my journey took me to New Zealand first, where nature's untamed beauty took my breath away. New Zealand felt like Italy upside down. It was in the southern hemisphere rather than the northern, creating a feeling of an inverted world. This feeling made me believe that New Zealand held the key to fundamental changes in my story. These changes came in ways I did not anticipate, becoming the stepping stone to my next destination.

New Zealand is where I experienced joy, but also personal pain due to unforeseen circumstances. Thanks to that experience, I learned that when the pain we feel is too deep, you must simply keep walking until a new path reveals itself. The biggest mistake one can make is to get stuck where you are.

So I checked a map and realised Australia was pretty close. Why not go there for a few weeks? Ultimately, those few weeks turned into 20 years... How is that for planning?

And so, this is how I found myself in Australia—for no reason other than picking a spot on a map, and more specifically, in Melbourne. Melbourne felt European enough to be familiar yet different—a blend of cultures, music, art, and life that welcomed me from the very first day. I found a home here, but it wasn't the kind of belonging I knew in Italy. Here, I found a city where everyone seemed to be from somewhere else, yet we all found a place to welcome us.

This city gave me opportunities beyond my expectations, including founding my own company. However, although I embraced the culture, I’ll admit that I may never fully understand cricket or Australian football. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I do miss 'calcio'—who would have thought?

Something I will never be again, Something I will never be, and Something I will always be

I vividly remember the moment they called my name at my Australian citizenship ceremony. At that moment, my life up to that point seemed to unfold before me, and I smiled, fully appreciating and feeling grateful for everything that had brought me there.

Yet, as much as I love it here, I will never feel entirely Australian. And as I reflect, I realise I’m not entirely Italian anymore either. I am something in between—a citizen of the world, I guess?

Sardinia, my island, the place that felt so small and restrictive growing up, never left my heart. It turns out that Sardinia, with its warm and fierce people, ancient traditions, and rugged landscapes, forms the foundation of who I am. As much as I wanted to leave it behind, it’s always been there, quietly anchoring me no matter where I roamed. I finally understood my father's words when I left the island for the first time, and he said to me: remember that a journey always allows you to come home, back to your family. These words stayed with me throughout my travels, reminding me that no matter how far I went or how uncertain the path, I could always return to the people who grounded me. I realised that, in truth, I will never be alone.?

While I may forever be something between Italian and Australian, and while my heart may always long to wander, I know that my identity is richer because of it. I am part Sardinian, part wanderer, a bit Italian and slightly Aussie. And perhaps that is the greatest gift of all—finding home many times—not in one place but in the eyes of the people I meet and the wonders of the places I explore.