Dear Mama J. I want to move to Italy but I don’t know how to get started Please help my country has gone insane
Dear Ciao Baby
I feel your pain!! I can’t tell you how many times I have said “If I was single I would go to Italy now!” If you are serious there are ways to do it. How strong is your desire. Just need a break to catch your breath and then come back home after 2 or 3 weeks? I would book AirBB for that time if you want to hang in one area for that time. A travel agent would help with a tour if you want to travel around the country for those weeks. An American can stay in Italy for 90 days in any 180 period. To stay longer than 90 days you will need a Visa. You need to do some planning to get your Visa. Just google and you’ll find all the information on how to do that.
If you are serious about leaving I say do it. Be an Expat. Staying in another country for a while will also show how their governments work. Every country has issues and there are probably some Italians who want to leave and come to the States!! Find out if there are English speaking areas. What is need to be able to drive over there. Medical care is a big concern.
If you are feeling out of control emotionally don’t hesitate to go to a therapist. I had some serious existential anxiety over the years. It can lead to depression and hopelessness. I handle it better now. I know that I can’t do anything to change our politics, our homelessness, our elderly issues, our scary diseases as we get older. Volunteering enables me to deal with my anxiety. My latest volunteer job is working with our unhoused and their pets through Street Dog Coalition. I do that twice a month. I don’t let myself get too involved at this stage of my life. I hope you will be able to come up with a plan. It can be exciting and scary! Just remember that Italy is a long way from home. If there is an emergency and you must return, be prepared.
Good luck and please keep me posted!
