moving to italy?

Question

I have the opportunity to move to Italy for a year for grad school. I have been playing with the idea of moving there for the past year. I studied abroad there once already for 6 months and am dying to go back. I just ended a relationship that was holding me back from going. I have a great job that I would have to leave inorder to move. It would be 8 months out of my life, a year in Italy and a masters degree...I am hesistant because I would be leaving a lot behind. I am 24 years old and could have insurance through school and my parents. I would have to leave in a month. What do you think I should do? I really want to find myself....and this would be a life altering experience.

Answer 1

im at the same age as you are, i live here in italy, studying at the university. i would have never guessed i would be leading my life here. 4 years ago, i had no idea what i wanted to do with my life, didnt know what my interests were, what school to even go to.

one day my older sister came home with and an article about this college proffessor, she wanted me to read it. it talked about this guy who believed all students after highschool shouldnt restrained to going to college right after their graduation, that its the only time in their life when theyll be free to see what else is out there. he gave a web page in which you paid 50 bucks to see ALL of the wild and exciting places to do abroad. it was from going to the north pole to feed the penguins to helping build schools in africa to teaching little kids english in nepal. my parents thought it would be a great idea, so searching and searching i wanted to go and do that program in nepal, live there for 6 months and teach englihs, but during that period there were political problems there at the time and i didnt want to risk anything so my mom said, 'why dont you look into italy?'

it was from there searching school to school, we foudn one called, SACI studio art centers international located in florence where they had classes of 1 semesters up to 2 years. many of the other schools only took like 3 month classes or 2 week things. so i chose this one for a one year program.

i left to italy 2002. had a great time, some classes sucked, some were great, i had even taken the history course JUST to get to go to the tours (i was always bad in history) and it was worth it. and at the end, i had to choose 2 extra optional courses, my mom wanted me to take an interior design classes. i had had a horrible experience taking that same course at the ArtCenter of pasadena while i was in highschool, the teacher had left me horrible memories on how to HATE interior design so i was desperate to not take it, but my mom insisted. so i did just for her. at the end believe it or not, i discovered my true interest, from how the teacher taught and the things we did, i learned to love interior design.

after the one year there in itlay, i didnt want to leave. i couldnt stay there and do nothing, so i applied to the university of florence. they had just opened a year from then the new department in Industrial Design and it wasnt difficult at the time for foreigners to get in. i applied and in sept. 2003 i began classes.

its been 4 years since then, i just finished my last year there in interior design (in italy its only 3 years in college for a regular degree) and this sept. im beggining my internship and my final exams in sept. i hope to graduate by april.

thats my story, thats how i began my life here. i would have never guessed the answer to my future was in italy. if my sister had never brought that article where would i have been now?

your equally young, and best of all you already have a degree, GO to italy, see what is out there! i left when i was single, its the worst when your tied up in a relatioship. now that your independent, take advantage of this time before something pops up to interfere you. you never know, you might get here, stay your one year and discover you really cant leave and believe it or not, you shouldnt feel like you cant, go for it!!

if you need any help in finding out any thing about florence or the area, feel free to ask!

Answer 2

You could check with your current employer
and see if you take the opportunity for a rather
short time in Italy, if your going to be able to
have a job. A masters degree is really good
goal. Anything to help further your self is a
risk and true life altering. I get the impression
your all ready there. Weigh the choose and
see what you want most. Will this create
more money for the future? If I stay were I
currently am at will I be able to increase
my income. Sounds like your family is very
supportive. Follow your heart and you'll be
able to decide.

Answer 3

life is not about what you leave behind, but about what is in front of you.

You can choose to be afraid, or to experiment. The experience you are talking about would change your life for ever, allowing personal growth in ways that would never be possible otherwise. Turning back is never possible - because wherever you come from, the place will have changed in the meanwhile. You have to learn to stand up for yourself, to stay up and keep going, no matter what. In this view, it is a magnificent opportunity.

It is not about how beautiful Italy is or not - but about to decide if you prefere a settled, quiet life, or if you want to live more. Only you can decide what you should do.

I would start packing. In fact, I did pack and go. Never stopped since.

Answer 4

I would go for it! What do you have to lose? Yes, you will miss your family and friends, but think of it this way, you will be doing something your heart has desired and long for. I envy you, because I want to visit Italy so bad, me and my husband are going next summer and we are planning on staying one month to enjoy all Italy's has to offer within that 30 day time frame.

I would go if I were you. You are young, go an experience what life has to offer, how many people your age in America would take this opportunity and use it to their advantage? Not, many, I can tell you that! But if it were me, I would be on that plan to Italy, like Yesturday!!

Plus, you get to earn your Masters there, how wonderful is that? Stop worrying about the negative aspects of this trip and focus on everything positive about it! If you miss your parents, send a letter enclosed with photos, and a phone call at least once a month or just write more letters.

Give yourself a chance to experience something different for a change. Make new friends in Italy, then your life there would become alot more easier. Explore Italy and all it has to offer you, like there historical musems, culture, music, theaters, arts, crafts, their cinemas, parks, beaches, and shopping stores, my goodness, the list can go on and on...

If you decide not to go...FedEx your airplane ticket to me, I will be on that flight faster than you can say, (I've changed my mine) LOL, just kidding, but, then again.....

Remember the Nikey commerical? "JUST DO IT"!

Answer 5

Do it. Take the opportunity and do your master. I chose work and an existing relationship over going on with my studies and now, 10 years later, I often find myself thinking that maybe that was not such a great choice... I would love to have that master now... so...welcome to Italy, dear!

Answer 6

Fantastic opportunity. There's a taste of Italy below:

Answer 7

G-O! You want to go.
You'll have another degree after.
You've been there before so it's not 'unknown territory'.
No matter what you choose, the passage of time in of itself is
life altering .
Send us a postcard!

Answer 8

Hey,,,,, GO FOR IT !!!!!![
I went to Univ of London, when i was your age,,, had a blast,, got to see Europe for the 1st time,,, go with my relatives that live in England.. (aunts and uncles)..... and got a masters degree.....!!!!

The money will pay for itself....hand down just to get the degree... I promise you !!!!!!! do it ,,,,,,

I was in Florence in Feb also... have friends in school also,,and went to the winter olympics there,,,,,,,

Many many many trips abroad ,,, and I still love it........

good luck

Answer 9

Dude theres a bunch of sphagetti stringin' ginnys there

Answer 10

Stop thinking and go pack pronto!