Are you planning to move to Italy to study or work?
That's great, but there are a few things you should be aware of to get the most out of your experience.
Remember that you will probably have to share an apartment with other people if you decide to move to another nation or just away from your family. These people don't always know you or originate from where you are from. And, if Italy is your final destination, you can end yourself living with Italian ladies and boys or decide to do so.
That would undoubtedly be the greatest option if you also want to learn the language and experience an Italian lifestyle.
The main cities that foreign students or young workers choose as a destination in Italy are Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Trento and all the main places famous for their universities and employment opportunities.
There are healthy practises to adopt as a roommate and things to know before sharing places with others, while each city undoubtedly has its unique qualities as well as the people that live there.
In this article, in order to dispel any final remaining uncertainties, we shall clarify your perceptions of the advantages of relocating to and living in Italy. Finally, we'll share some interesting facts regarding the potential behaviours of your future Italian "roommates" before offering you some tips on how to deal with them.
The advantages of relocating to Italy
Every year, many young and older people chose moving to Italy from the UK or other nations. But why do they feel the need to travel?
Naturally, on the one hand, the ideal of a foreign nation dominates; it is thought that living abroad is better than in one's own country and that it can provide a lot more opportunities. In a certain way, it is! A sure-fire technique to broaden one's perspectives and increase knowledge is to gain experience in a place other than one's typical one and interact with other lifestyles.
Aside from that, there are some genuine advantages of living in Italy, such as the fact that it is a beautiful nation from a cultural, aesthetic, and natural perspective. Its cities, small villages, and the areas close to the seas, lakes, and mountains are all full of stunning sights. The Mediterranean region also has one of the nicest climates in the entire world and Europe.
Italy is a peninsula, thus it is practically enveloped by the sea. As a result, the country is vibrant and rich in cultural influences, which are visible in the architecture and monuments. On the other hand, it also keeps in constant contact with the rest of the continent, particularly with reference to the northern cities like Milan, which blends seamlessly into the overall European scene.
Speaking of Milan, it is undoubtedly one of the most expensive cities, along with Venice and Florence. But the cost of living is still fairly affordable if you go to the suburbs or smaller towns. Even while it varies depending on the degree of study and whether you attend a public or private university, this also probably applies for university fees. In any case, you can try to be accepted while receiving a scholarship or other financial incentives. Additionally, because Italy has numerous tourist destinations, there is a chance to get seasonal employment if you'd like to earn some money while you're a student.
The food isn't the last, though! Fish, pork, pasta, pizza, and all the other delicious regional delicacies are all readily available in Italy.
What to consider before relocating with roommates
Living in a shared apartment is undoubtedly one of the issues a student or "off-site" worker must cope with.
We must disappoint you if you believe that the test of living with your family is enough. We have relationships within the family, despite miscommunications and conflicts. When living with roommates means you nearly always share the same spaces with strangers.
In other words, the people you are with and the mood that is created in the group will have an impact on how the experience turns out. There are things to know and good habits to adopt for a pleasant outcome and to boost your chances of having a terrific time, even though you can't control everything.
Respect common spaces
The majority of the common spaces in a shared apartment are also shared, including the refrigerator, kitchen furniture, bathroom, possibly even the closet.
Each area is then typically divided into sections based on the number of occupants. Even if one roommate arrives later than the others, it is crucial that these distinctions are fair and respected.
Another key step is to maintain order and cleanliness in the areas so that everyone may contribute to this effort. It won't take long for interpersonal tension to develop if they always use the same methods to tidy up other people's mess.
It's possible that they appear to be tight regulations, but that isn't the case at all. Everything relies on the relationship between roommates and how peaceful the home is.
What if people behave differently because of various habits?
This directly leads us to the following point.
Focus on communication
As for every relationship, communication is essential even among roommates.
Remember that they are probably strangers to you, possibly representing a different nationality, and as a result, may have different customs and habits from your own.
Perhaps a particular habit that you find odd or bothersome in them is usual for them, and vice versa. The best course of action is to communicate and make every effort to learn as much as you can about each another. Share their distinct methods of operation so that you may determine what is acceptable and what should be the subject of compromises.
Additionally, it's crucial to have a collective discussion about any decisions that need to be made regarding the house so that everyone may voice their thoughts. As a result, you will find common solutions.
Share and come together
Sharing is another action that will enhance the beauty and sense of community in a shared living space.
Of course, some people like a little quiet while others adore society. Some people are more introverted than others. Those who move in with others should not, in any event, isolate themselves. It is good to share customs, foods, and experiences, especially when you are from different regions or nations.
Everyone will feel part of the group as a result, strengthening the friendship ties.
Additionally, it is the finest method to deepen your experience away from home, learn new things, and widen your perspective on life beyond the norm.
Distribute the costs equitably.
The splitting of expenses is another important aspect of living together.
Money can cause conflict, thus it is better if everyone contributes, and that each contribution is exactly equal to the others. No one should ever pay extra for a bill or another item merely because they might spend more time at home.
Everyone has an equal claim to the house, and each person is responsible for doing their part.
Setting up a shared fund or just installing an app that does the arithmetic by distributing the costs among the group members are two options for managing these costs. With this technique, you are always aware of who has bet bigger odds and where the overall score stands.
The watchword is "respect"
There may be countless guidelines or desirable "roommate behaviours", and they may change depending on the circumstances.
In the end, these are just basic advice, and based on the individuals, each group of roommates will know what the best approach is to manage the house and living together.
But if everyone behaves respectfully at all times, this will always be seen and will make everyone's coexistence much more enjoyable.
We are almost done, but not before revealing some interesting facts about the Italian roommates you will likely have if you relocate to Italy.
Interesting facts about Italian roommates
We have now reached the most exciting and amusing section of this article, especially if you are a foreign national.
You must be aware that Italians have customs and habits that may strike you as odd or amusing.
For example, have you ever heard of the "pacco da giù"?
Young adults who have relocated to northern Italy typically get this bundle from their parents who reside in southern Italy. This bundle includes a variety of regionally specific traditional foods as well as meals that moms prepare especially for their sons. Preserves, sauces, vacuum-packed goods, cured meats, and other delicacies might all be found in the box.
Sunday lunch, or more precisely, Sunday pizza, is another Italian tradition. A chance to socialise over meals that are not prepared during the workday is lunchtime. For instance, lasagna, parmigiana, and pasta with meat sauce. Pizza, whether made at home or in a pizzeria, is typically consumed in the evening.
Get used to using the Moka as soon as possible if you go to Italy. Italians love coffee, and even today, when making coffee at home, Moka is preferred over machines that use pods or capsules. Italians also enjoy coffee at any time, including after dinner.
Particularly popular among Italian boys we find the Fantacalcio, which entails managing virtual teams made up of real players. The players are chosen from among those participating in the tournament referred to.
It is currently a widespread phenomenon that is treated seriously in Italy, to the point where the FantaSanremo was also developed recently. This is the folklore surrounding the Sanremo Festival, typically known as the Italian music festival. Even though more adults often enjoy this Italian festival, children also follow its happenings and use them to inspire memes that are widely shared on social media.
Living with Italian roommates could be a lot of fun and expose you to completely foreign customs and behaviours. You just need to move to Italy!