I know that I am here in Norway right now, but I have intended from day one of this blog for it to be a resource for all expats around the world. One of the things I am excited to share with you is an exclusive interview from an American expat living in Italy. Her name is Sara Rosso and her blog is Ms. Adventures in Italy -My Stomach and the World. Food, Recipes, Travel. She has all original photography for her headers on her blog that change (some of which I show on my site here) - and they are amazing. Check out her blog, and if you love it as much as I do you can get get it direct to your Inbox!

1.What advice do you have about getting a job and a visa for Americans in Europe? What was your experience with getting a job and a visa while you were in Rome? Was it difficult?

I know this is a really common question - America doesn’t have an agreement with Italy for work visas (like other EU countries or Commonwealth countries, etc.) so it’s quite difficult to get a work visa to work in Italy -

I also think when you move away from a country, you tend to remember the good things about your home country - your friends and your family, and you forget that every country has good and bad weather, diversity and racism, and good days and bad days. It’s important to keep it in perspective.

~Sara Rosso~

much like getting a visa to work in the U.S. You must either be granted a work visa and then look for a job, or the company must do the legwork for you regarding the visa. I talk about a few different visa options in my post How to Live and Work in Italy.

2. What was the most challenging part of being an American living in a foreign country when you first started out as an expat? Do you have any advice for those facing similar challenges?

I think the hardest, but probably the most obvious, problems were running into things “not being like home.” The US teaches that we can have whatever we want, whenever we want. Unfortunately, this philosophy is not helpful when standing in an appliance store in 40C weather trying to buy a fan when they’re sold out. In the States, they would have stocked up for the warm season or they would have bought it from the competition and charged you three times what they were asking for!

I had to tell myself at a certain point, you’re smarter than this. And you’re wasting time and energy complaining. So what are you going to do about it? I tried to focus on what I could change, whether that meant spending more time researching the best solution, or spending more money to save time. I can tell you the price of my free time has gone up considerably since I moved here.

I also think when you move away from a country, you tend to remember the good things about your home country - your friends and your family, and you forget that every country has good and bad weather, diversity and racism, and good days and bad days. It’s important to keep it in perspective.

3.If you were to do it all again (moving to and living in another country), what would you do different?

I would have used the internet more - partly to gather information, but mostly to meet others. I had a blog/personal trip journal when I first moved here (in 2003) but it was more like a letter to family and I wasn’t looking for communities or resources that might have been a big help at the time. Now, there are communities for everything, groups on Facebook, blogs in every language and dozens of ways to meet people and exchange information.

4. Do you want to move back to the states? If not, what is it about the expat life that makes it all worth it to you?

I don’t foresee a move back to the States in the near future. If I moved, I would probably move to another country first since I really enjoy living in new environments and exploring. I also love languages!

5. What are some of the good, the bad, the ugly…and the funny things you have experienced as an American living overseas?

I’ve been in a lot of funny situations at work, but unfortunately I’ve had to keep them off my blog for obvious reasons. I enjoy the reactions of some of the Italians with my “adventurous” eating, but I’ve also noticed that when I bring something for them to try, more and more of them are eager to taste it. I don’t worry about being introduced as “the American” anymore - those that know me know what I’m capable of and that I won’t be categorized easily. Some of my earlier work tales and bureaucratic mishaps are so bad you have to laugh, not to cry.

A few of my favorites from my archives:

• visiting the gynecologist

• going to a soccer game

• and getting my permit of stay fiasco - part 1

• and getting my permit of stay fiasco - part 2

6.Any practical tips for the new expats out there (like me)?

Honestly, if you want to be happy in your new country, stop comparing what was better about your life (in America) whether it be your salary, your house, or your job opportunities. Your current situation, no matter where you live, can improve or remain stagnant, depending on the effort you put into it. Make a list of what you’re unhappy about, and then make some goals to resolve a few of the problems. If you can’t resolve it, make some practical steps (i.e., job opps suck = go into business for myself) that will take you toward a happier/acceptable situation.

7. Where do you think you’ll go next?

I don’t think we’ll stay in Milan for many more years. It’s a working city and I’d like to be a bit closer to the green hills and mountains I fell in love with in Italy. I wouldn’t mind moving back to Rome, but after the (relative) orderliness of Milan, I might find it too chaotic.

Thanks Sara for sharing your experiences!

Ms. Adventures in Italy - www.msadventuresinitaly.com/blog
Get me direct to your Inbox! www.msadventuresinitaly.com/blog/subscribe