What do expats find most challenging?
We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Italy. They wrote...
"I'd kill for some fresh ginger and a good, hot Indian curry most days! Setting up businesses - the bureaucracy and taxes can be crippling and are changeable. I take my hat off to accountants here," said another expat in Southern Tuscany, Italy.
"The language, sex roles, classism and being an outsider. The language is difficult due to the sentence structures and loads of pronouns. Too much male and female and posturing. It SEEMS as if women are meant to be like a combination of dolls and domestic servants. Classism - if they think you have money, they are extremely nice. If they think you are average or poor then, you are invisible. To me, it seems as if they everyone is concerned with giving the appearance of having money or wealth. Wealthy people are treated as if they are gold and average are treated like pests. Being a perpetual outsider - I am the American woman - when properly identified - so I always feel evaluated. People will watch everything you do, and how you do it. They are very curious and for someone from New York, that can be annoying," wrote a member who made the move to Tuscany, Italy.
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Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Italy?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Italy?
- Will I be able to find a job in Italy?
- What is life like in Italy?
- What do expats in Italy appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Italy?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Italy accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Italy like?
- What are healthcare services like in Italy?
- What are medical services in Italy like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Italy?
- What are emergency services like in Italy?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Italy?
- How are local medical facilities in Italy?
- As a foreigner living in Italy, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
What do expats find most challenging?
If you live in Italy, newcomers to Italy would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
