Italy: My remedy by Ana Stadthagen
Exactly two and a half months ago I embarked on a journey I never even imagined possible. A journey that has been a remedy better than the counselling and medication my often neurotic mother suggest I take.
Exactly two and a half months ago I was stressed, depressed, over-worked and tired of taking classes that filled in my notebooks but not my brain. I was heartbroken and 10 pounds too skinny. My father, unlike my mother is a little too relaxed and hip for his age, but this time he was right, he suggested a “little time off, a little bit of fresh air” and so I left for Italy.
As soon as I got here, from day one, my load felt lighter. I was excited to be in Europe for the first time and my face just started smiling without me even trying….it was great…but not in a million years did I expect what I got.
It’s been like I said, exactly two and half months and I’ve done what in my normal life I don’t get to do in a year. I’ve met people from all around the world and I’ve made friends that are not only characters I never knew existed, but are also my new best friends, the type that you keep forever.
I’ve had time to share my story and gotten incredible words of wisdom. I’ve had time to miss and remember whilst in Venice, time to forgive and forget within myself in Lake Como, and time for solitude and peace in Elba, where I figured many things out, alone on a beach, with just me, my thoughts and the songs that the Mediterranean sang to me.
In Florence I’ve explored pleasure, I’ve eaten massive amounts of pasta, and as a result I have gained 10 pounds -which has not effected my exploration of dating Florentine men!!! To arrive at the definite decision that I have to marry a Luca, a Mario, a Fabio or a Giacomo.
I’ve been learning the language with barely any study. I drink coffee all day because it’s an excuse to socialize. I walk around admiring again and again the beauty of this city.
Here I can do anything I want, I come and go as I PLEASE, and have learned from the Italian culture that there is nothing wrong with that.
Party??? Lets just say that I thought I had graduated with a Masters in that subject. I am a Latina that lives in Miami, clubs and bars were my playground, salsa dancing and raves at that point just routine. But in Italy, Italians do it differently and I have to admit they do it better. I have been their apprentice for this couple of months. The whole thing just has a relaxed air about it and no pressure on having fun, cause you just do.
I only have 3 weeks left until I go, that is way too little time. I hope to start a new chapter of life. Honestly I wish I could just move here. But those 3 little weeks I am certain will fit many more big experiences. I also decided to cut back a little on the “do only as I please” thing I adopted and I am now doing an internship not just to learn more about my field and make my resume stand out but also to learn from the way things get done in Italy, and to make even more new friends and to fill my brain instead of my notebooks.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Hi Ana,
I am looking into the Florence Internship Program for Tourism and was wondering if you had any experience before you went to Italy? If you did, how was it different from the tourism industry in the USA? What challenges did you face, and what did you wish you knew about the internship before started? Do you think it’s a good program for people interested in Tourism but with very little experience? Grazie mille! Hope to hear from you soon!
Rosa
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Rosa, I did have work experience in the USA before my intership, but not in the Tourism Industry.
As far as challenges, ofcourse there are many, but the fun kind, such as the language and cultural diffrences, yet nothing that with a little effort and willingness to learn cant be overcomed.
I think with little, lots or no experience at all you should give it try, it’s like I said in my blog, simply a life changing experience and an excellent move as far learning about the industry in a International aspect. DO IT !
BUONA FORTUNA!
December 14th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hi Ana,
I’m looking into the internships that Global Experiences has to offer. What were some of the other agencies you looked into? Also, I took French in high school so i dont think that will help me very much :/ how fluent/able were you to get around italia with the language training you received? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Virginette
January 13th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Hi Virginette,
I went with Global Experiences as well because when you are shopping around they all cost and look about the same.
Depending on the type of person you are and how independent you are I would recommend doing it on your own, those agencies do get paid for a lot more than what they do and if you plan ahead with time you could do it all by yourself, the people at florence for fun can be very helpful as well before you arrive and once you are there and helping you find even more fun activities to do.
As far as the language most girls that go overthere get along fine without a word of Italian. Personally I did make a big effort to try to learn Italian when I was there and speak italian when I was out and about and it was great because I was treated as a local at times or they would appreciate the effort and be extra welcoming and hospitable with me. The language training from the school did give me a good start and basics after that I just learned from the people and from hearing it from my new friends.
Do what you whatever you feel suits you best but go ahead and have the time of your life!
April 1st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Oh, Italy is so beautiful. Remedy for the senses and the soul