From the Rainy UK to the Sunny Italian Soul: My First 100 Days 🇮🇹

At the age of 20, I left Poland with a head full of dreams and moved to the United Kingdom. I spent a decade there—ten long years of growing up, learning the British way of life, and getting used to the grey skies and the fast-paced, often solitary lifestyle of the Isles. But recently, I decided to follow my heart. Driven by a long-distance relationship and a spark of intuition, I traded my stable life in the UK for a country I knew almost nothing about.

I didn't pack a trunk or a moving truck. I packed a single backpack 🎒 and set off for Italy, a land that, to me, was just a shape on a map and a simple "Buongiorno." Now, after three months of living here, I can say that my perspective on life has shifted more than I ever expected.

Breaking the Stereotypes: The Truth About Italian Streets

I remember a friend back in the UK who had visited Italy for a summer holiday. He returned with a rather grim report, claiming that Italians were "messy" and that the country was drowning in litter. Naturally, I arrived with some trepidation, expecting to see overflowing bins and neglected streets.

The reality? It couldn't be further from the truth. Coming from the UK, where fly-tipping and litter in city centers are common sights, I found Italy to be remarkably clean ✨. What is even more fascinating is the lack of public trash cans. In many towns, you can walk for blocks without finding a single bin. Yet, the streets remain pristine. It seems there is an unspoken social contract here: people simply take their trash home. This small detail speaks volumes about the respect Italians have for their local community and their environment.

The Language of Kindness 🗣️

As someone who hasn't mastered the Italian language yet, my biggest fear was social isolation. We often hear the stereotype that Italians don't speak English and that if you don't speak their tongue, you are invisible. I quickly learned that this is a myth.

While it’s true that not everyone is fluent in English, the willingness to communicate is overwhelming. In the UK, if there is a language barrier, people often get frustrated or simply walk away, sometimes leaving you with a few choice words that I wouldn't dare repeat in this article. In Italy, it is the opposite. Even if someone realizes I don’t understand a word they are saying, they keep talking! They use their hands, their facial expressions, and a lot of smiles. They don't see a "foreigner"; they see a person they want to connect with. This warmth has made my transition so much easier.

Coffee, Community, and the Art of the "Slow Life" ☕

The social culture here is perhaps the biggest shock for someone coming from a "pub culture" background. In Italy, bars are everywhere—literally on every corner—but they serve a completely different purpose.

In the UK, going to a bar often means drinking to decompress after a hard day. Here, people go to the bar for a quick espresso or a slow afternoon talk. While you do see people enjoying a beer or a glass of wine, the focus is never on the alcohol itself. It’s about the "ritrovo"—the gathering. People go out to see faces, to exchange news, and to feel part of a group. It’s a culture of presence, not consumption. It’s about the quality of the moment, not the quantity of the drink.

A Culinary Paradise and the Power of Expression 🍕

I have to mention the food. As a self-proclaimed lover of pizza and anything "bread-like," I feel like I have ascended to heaven. Whether it’s a simple focaccia or a classic local loaf, the quality of the ingredients is staggering. In Italy, food is not just fuel; it is a shared experience that brings everyone together.

Watching Italians talk to each other is an experience in itself. From the outside, you might think they are having a heated argument. Their voices rise, their hands fly through the air, and their faces are full of intensity. But more often than not, they are just having a regular conversation about their day, a local event, or plans for the weekend. They simply put their whole heart into every sentence. This temperament is beautiful—it’s a reminder that life should be lived with passion and that expressing your emotions is a sign of strength.

Closing Thoughts 🗺️

Leaving the UK after ten years was a massive risk, but these first three months in Italy have taught me that the world is much wider than our fears. I came here for love, but I am staying for the lifestyle, the people, and the realization that sometimes, you have to pack a backpack and lose yourself in a new culture to truly find what matters.