This is my favorite thing that I get to do on my blog…the interviews with expats. I am very excited about todays interview because even though she was a little hesitant to do the interview because she was concerned that she had nothing interesting to share she still did it anyways and I find this interview so fascinating.

Check out Debby’s blog Bee in Italy for tons of great recipes and fun pictures of her family in Italy!

What Debby and others like her don’t realize is that new expats like me are so comforted by the stories that others in the same situation share with us. I personally also feel better when I hear that other expats experience culture shock, headaches and problems in their new country too. Maybe its just me, but it feels sometimes like we put pressure on ourselves to be happy about everything. The reality is that there is good and bad everywhere. Its so interesting and helpful (at least to me) to hear these things from another person who has been through the same thing.

In Italy I found a life for myself and although it was hard going, it was also very interesting…I like many things about Italy. The people are very open and honest.
~Debbie

So, Debby…thank you for sharing your great information, you are the best kind of expat expert to help newbies like me feel more comfortable in our new lives. This is the gift - sharing your story for others. Plus its great to hear the things that helped you, you never know, that could be just what I needed to help me make the most of my expat life in Norway!

So here she is ladies and gentlemen, the mom, wife, teacher and person to thank for this great interview…Debby!

1.Where are you from originally, where are you now and what brought you there?

I am from Pennsylvania, although I only lived there until I was a toddler. I grew up in Central Ohio. I really liked Ohio, but had trouble finding my way there, so I moved away. First to Arizona, where I still wasn’t getting my act together, then to Italy. In Italy I found a life for myself and although it was hard going, it was also very interesting.

2.What do you like/dislike about your new home overseas?

I like many things about Italy. The people are very open and honest. They are some times not politically correct, but I find that is better for me because they are frank and let me know where I stand without a beating round the bush. They also give compliments freely and enjoy eating. I liked the work I found here also, now I am mostly a housewife, so I would be the same in USA, but I am happy to have found a way to use my strengths.

I don’t like that my religion is absent from this area and that if I want to do anything, even send my children to the local school, I am doing it with the Catholic Church.

3.Do you have any advice for someone who wants to get a job in a foreign country? What was your experience with getting a visa/job? Was it difficult?

It was very difficult, but I was lucky. There was a law that granted all non-European citizens permits if they had arrived in the country before a certain date. Before then I had made no headway. I have no idea what a person can do today. They change the laws for everyone so frequently I would have to say I don’t know much. My friend is going through the paperwork and it is time consuming and expensive.

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

Learning a new language. If you consider that languages are not just words, but ways of thinking then you can understand how hard it is to use another language. I found Italians very patient with my bad Italian. They listened and helped me very much. I learned before I had children and I know that is why I managed to learn it so well. I also lived in Belgium and tried to learn French, then Dutch. Both lessons were taken very seriously and I made a great effort to learn. But my success was dwarfed with the need to concentrate on becoming a Mom. I still have to give a lot of attention to my children so I know I could not still learn as before. I wonder - when they are older and independent if I will be able to.
For newcomers learning the language I can say keep a sense of humor and know that while you are learning you will not be the best, if fact you will feel stupid sometimes. I was often tired and frustrated, but I took little steps and slowly I learned. I have some very funny stories of mistakes, but I wasn’t trying to be funny, so sometimes I was mortified. But as I said the Italians were helpful and kind listeners, generally.

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

I wouldn’t do anything differently.

6.Do you want to move back to where you came from? If not, what is it about the expat life that makes it all worth it to you?

There are many times that I would like to move back. I miss many things about Ohio, but I married an Italian and we have a home here. I intend to make it as happy as I can.

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

I love the friends I have made here. Being an expat can be very hard sometimes, not just for me, so while I may need help so may my friends. So friendships have become family.

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

Keep a sense of humor. Reach out to people. It is all very hard some days, but I have found the hard climb is very rewarding.

9.Where do you think you’ll go next?

I am here for now.

10. Anything else you want to add or share about expat life or culture shock?

Read books about your new country, region and city. Find out what is good about the area. Learn about the festivals. Taste the food. Get to know as much as you can. Try to understand the things that you don’t like about the country. When I first arrived here I was so shocked by the way the Italian fought all the time. They yelled and made strange gestures. Shopping trips would leave my so upset sometimes. But as I learned the language and got to know the people I understood that they were not yelling or fighting. It was just the way they talked. And often the conversation was about something they both enjoyed. Passions for food or sports or politics were things I learned to understand about them. I don’t share all of them, but I do enjoy the way they express their feelings. In fact, when I go to USA I have trouble remembering to put a lid on things.

Check out Debby’s blog Bee in Italy here!