Maybe you've been lurking on my blog for a while, enjoying the content I share about my life in Italy. You've heard me talk about being an expat coach, but you have no idea what that really means.
What I Do as an Expat Coach in Italy
My work is helping people (mostly single women) move to Italy. I guide and support them through what can be an onerous process...knowing where to begin...the logistics...and the emotional rollercoaster they go on.
Sometimes clients just need a Pick-My-Brain session to get their questions answered and start their journey.
Sometimes they want a coaching package, where I'm there every step of the way, cheering them on and keeping them to task.
Whatever path they choose, there are five questions that inevitably come up.
Where Should I Move?
While some clients know exactly where they want to move, most don't. They may have a general idea about the area they like, but they need help zeroing in on the right town.
I haven't been everywhere in Italy, so I certainly don't tell them where to go! And everyone's different; I may love Soverato, while someone else might hate it.
So I guide them through exercises that help them determine the best place to live for them.
My best advice for this question is to pick a couple of towns and then come for an extended stay. I encourage clients to pretend they live there (rather than feel like they're on vacation) to get a sense of what life would be like.
What Visa Should I Apply For?
Another huge question. There are several types of visas, and each has its own requirements. It's important to review those requirements, particularly regarding work and required income or money in the bank before going too far down the rabbit hole to make sure you qualify for one.
Let me be clear: Italy isn't desperate for you to move here. So it may not be easy. There's a mountain of paperwork you have to provide with your visa application, and the journey can be a frustrating one.
But if you can wade through the Italian bureaucracy at this level, you'll be well-prepared for life in Italy!
PS I recommend working with an immigration specialist. Reach out and I can recommend an attorney and/or a commercialista who specialize in helping people with their visa process.
Can I Bring My Fur Babies?
More than half of my clients have kitties or dogs they want to bring with them to Italy. I share my experience moving cats here and give them some advice about preparing.
You can take small animals either under your seat on the plane or in cargo. Consider how anxious your pet might be when deciding. For me, I absolutely wasn't up for taking my two yowling cats on the plane to stress me and everyone else out on the long flight!
Do I Need to Speak Italian?
I live in Calabria, where it's essential to speak Italian. Yes, you can find people who speak English, but they don't tend to be the people you need to deal with at the comune, the internet store, or the market.
In a bigger city, it may be easier to get away without speaking much Italian.
But my philosophy is this: you're going to great lengths to move to this amazing country. The least you can do is try to learn the language.
It won't happen overnight. Italians marvel that I've been here for less than three years when they hear me speak. And then I tell them that I studied the language for 10 years before that.
It's going to be a lot of work. You MUST practice! So many people are nervous about making a mistake, so they don't even try. But you won't learn if you don't try!
Where Do I Begin?
Moving abroad involves a ton of moving parts. You've got to schedule everything so that your move lines up with the arrival of your visa. It's such a daunting process that most people give up.
That's what I'm here for, as an expat coach in Italy. I'm here to walk you through the steps, gently nudge you to make sure you're doing the work, and cheer you on when you finally arrive.
You can move to Italy without an expat coach. I did. But if I'd known they existed, I definitely would have hired one.
My goal is to take some of the stress out of this process for you. I'm here to help make your dream of moving to Italy a reality.
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