Interview with Molly in Le Marche
Name: Molly
Date of Interview: February 27, 2007
Area of Italy you live in?
Le Marche
Let us know a little about yourself?
Married since 1999 to an Italian.
Why did you decide/have you decided to move to Italy?
I moved here in 1995 strictly for love!
What type of process did you go through to be able to move here?
I discovered that very strange vicious circle not long after arriving here: to get a job, I needed a permesso di soggiorno, but to get a permesso di soggiorno, I needed a job. Finally I was able to find a small language school in Ancona that was willing to hire me even without any previous papers, so that's how I got my foot in the door.
What problems did you run into during the initial process and how were you able to fix them ?
As I said, once I found that school which took me even without any previous papers, it was all smooth sailing after that.
How long have you been here?
Besides my twelve years of living here, I also spent six months at the university of Urbino (wonderful, beautiful place) before actually moving here, and that's where I met my husband.
What type of adjustment problems have you had?
Before I had children, and was living solely in the world of adults, adjustment problems seemed more superficial. I'm finding that cultural differences are much more significant and run deeper once you get into the life of motherhood, dealing with Italian grandparents, pediatricians, schools, and so on.
What do you wish someone had told you before you made the leap?
That when you marry an Italian, you're not just marrying him, you're marrying his whole family as well (it's all true what they say about Italian men and their mothers!).
What inside secret could you pass on to others looking to move over?
Come here with an "open window" set firmly inside your mind. Tell yourself that no matter what happens, that open window is there, meaning that you can change plans if necessary, you can go back if the going gets too tough... few things in life are ever truly irreversible.
Do you have any disappointments, things you thought would happen but haven't for whatever reasons ?
Not really, because I came here with a "let's take life just one day at a time" attitude, and that philosophy has worked well for me here.
What has changed about you since you have been here ?
I've developed an incredible stamina and perseverance, just from the facts of being away from my family for so long, and from becoming a mother.
Do you think that you will stay forever?
Forever is a very long time!! My dream is actually to retire in New England, where I grew up!