Living in Italy Alone at 18: My Experiences

Living in Italy Alone at 18: My Experiences?

When I first decided to pack up my life and move across the world, I was filled with equal parts of excitement and apprehension. The prospect of leaving behind the comforts and security of home to pursue a career in fashion design and marketing at Istituto Marangoni in Italy was both thrilling and daunting. Though I had never lived alone before or been separated from my family for more than two weeks at a time, I knew that this change represented my very best chance at success in the fashion industry.

However, I felt nervous about this big step into the unknown. Everything from adjusting to new surroundings to managing everyday tasks like cooking and doing laundry on my own seemed overwhelming amidst feelings of fear and uncertainty. But as soon as I stepped foot onto campus at Marangoni, all those worries melted away. My fellow students' sheer energy and passion drove me forward on my journey with enthusiasm, even as my path took surprising twists and turns. And I have grown immeasurably from these experiences – not only in terms of professional development but also in terms of forging new friendships and gaining exposure to varied perspectives on life in general.?

Here are 5 Lessons I Learned From Living In A Foreign Country Alone:

1. Becoming Self-Reliant?

At first, adjusting to the differences between Italy and Silicon Valley proved difficult. I often felt frustrated and alone because I couldn't always call home for support or advice. But over time, I began to develop relationships with others in my community and slowly overcame this initial hurdle.

Along with independence, another significant skill that I had to learn was adaptability. Living in a foreign culture meant that I had to be willing and able to operate within an unfamiliar environment. This included learning (attempting) the local language to communicate with others effectively and studying Italians' cultural norms and traditions to integrate into the community entirely. However, despite these challenges, I became more resilient and resourceful - qualities that would help me succeed years later when starting my career.

2. Gaining a Global Perspective

When I first arrived in Italy, I felt very out of place. I was the only American in my program, and most of my classmates came from countries I had never even heard of. At first, I found it difficult to relate to them and communicate effectively. However, over time, I began to form strong friendships with people from all over the world. This experience taught me the importance of understanding different cultures and viewpoints. It has also given me a unique perspective on human psychology and behavior. I believe that this experience has helped me tremendously in my career in marketing. Understanding how people from different cultures think and behave is essential in this field, and my experience has given me a significant advantage.

3. Being Open-Minded and Tolerant

I was struck by how different the culture was from what I was used to in California. In many ways, it was a shock to the system. But over time, I came to appreciate the differences and see them as a strength rather than a weakness. One of the things that I mainly came to value was the honesty of the people there. In California, people often are guarded and reluctant to say what they truly think. But in Italy, people are much more open and frank with their feelings - no matter how honest it is. This openness was refreshing, and it helped to build stronger relationships.?

I came in with many preconceived notions about the world and people, and I was rather close-minded. But exposure to new ideas and different points of view challenged those beliefs, and over time I found myself becoming more and more open-minded. I learned to see things from other people's perspectives and appreciate the beauty of diversity. Italy taught me to be tolerant of other peoples' beliefs and opinions, even if they differ from my own. And as my horizons expanded, I found myself growing in ways I never could have imagined.?

4. Effective communication

Our courses were technically taught in English, but Italians (with strong accents) taught them, so I had to learn how to communicate effectively and be more intentional with my English. This was a challenge at first, but it's something that I'm now proud to say I've mastered. Additionally, through my interactions with locals and other students worldwide, I've gained a much broader perspective on life and developed strong friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

5. Amazing memories

Living in a foreign country is hard, but it's also enriching. It's important to step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. After all, that's how we grow and learn. So if you're considering making a significant change in your life, don't let fear hold you back. Go for it, and see what amazing things come your way.