My Italian Immigration Experience

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In 2009, I went to Italy to become an Au pair for two years. This was a difficult decision for me. I wasn’t able to speak Italian and had never lived abroad, away from my family and friends. I felt I needed this experience to push my boundaries and broaden my horizons. It was incredible to experience another country’s culture. Living in Italy made me realize how grateful, fortunate, and capable I am.

Living in Italy showed me how much I had to be grateful for. I saw firsthand another culture’s day-to-day lifestyle. Italian culture isn’t as fast-paced as American culture. Their slower pace forces you to appreciate a little more of what each day offers. My job was as an Au pair which is a live-in nanny/teacher for the family’s children. Most …show more content…

Unless you are a wealthy Italian, you live a much humbler lifestyle. A lot of Italians homes are meager, and the material goods Americans want and vie for, aren’t as important to them. I realized how fortunate I was for all the belongings I took for granted. Some Italians would view the home I grew up in as a mansion compared to their own. They seemed so much happier and it was humbling to see them content by having a lot …show more content…

There was one time in particular I found myself in a situation which in the past, would have rendered me unable to cope. My Au pair family asked me to take the train by myself to travel to their uncle’s home and bring back their child. I had only been there for a little over two weeks. I still didn't have a good understanding of the Italian language. I was worried I wouldn't make myself understood if I needed help on the way. On my way there, I got off at the wrong station and found myself lost in the center of the town’s piazza. I had never experienced anything like this, and though I was afraid, I kept calm. After an hour of backtracking, I found my way back to the train station and boarded again and was able to find the right destination. I retrieved the child and brought him back home. What an adventure! Later that evening I reflected on how unnerving and stressful the event had been. I was pleased that I’d persevered in the midst of such an anxiety-ridden and intimidating situation. This was one example where I proved to myself how capable I

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