I'm starting to realize that this is exactly the opposite way things happen here. The only thing that runs on schedule is the buses. Other than that, I've found that Italians function on a very different level.
Classes here will start anywhere from early to mid October (maybe even at the end). No one "enrolls" in a course; they just go and eventually sign up to take an oral exam. If they feel they aren't ready for an exam, they can take it the month after...or the next semester...or maybe a year later.
The university is not the only thing that functions like this. Stores close on Thursdays and most random afternoons. Dinner can be anywhere from 7pm-midnight. Even the bikers here take their sweet time moving down the street.
I never thought that I could experience culture shock, but it's kind of snuck up on me. I'm used to going all the time, and now that I'm here everything has just stopped.
And it's more than just learning how to have a flexible schedule. My days are filled with huge gaps of free time.
Sounds nice right?
Right now, I kind of hate it.
When you only know 30 or so people in the entire city and can understand about 70% of the language, free time can feel pretty lonely. I keep envisioning the day when I can understand my roommate perfectly and have Italian friends that I can just call up to meet for aperitivi. But, these aren't things that you can just "get done". They take a long time with lots of adjustment periods and backtracking. So even though I feel kind of lonely right now, there isn't necessarily a way for me to find my new best friend who understands perfectly broken Italian tomorrow when I'm riding the bus.
Who knows, maybe I'll come back completely readjusted with a laid back schedule and a strong desire to eat meals at 1 in the morning. But right now, actually going through the adjustment is one of the hardest things I've ever done.
This is my home now, and it's a little intimidating.
You totally should treat this as much-needed time to de-stress and relax! Just like the girl from Eat, Pray, Love! I know you hated that movie, but the situation is kinda similar...I know you'll be great!
ReplyDeleteBernadette,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was forwarded to me by my friend, Judy-Anne Goldman, who works with your mom. I am looking forward to following your adventures in Bologna!
I also lived abroad in Venice, Italy for my junior year (and I was also an English major!) in a total immersion program through UC Berkeley. I had to find my own apartment, I lived with another Italian girl, and I went to class at the university with other Italian students. Everything you are going through is completely normal! I had a very similar experience in the beginning and went through some culture shock. Some of the words you've uttered in this blog were EXACTLY how I felt when I first arrived!
I just wanted to share with you that it GETS BETTER! Your Italian is going to improve dramatically over the next couple of months living with Italians. You will start to dream in Italian. You will start to find your "personality" in Italian and will be able to express yourself easily. You will make friends, and everything that seems so foreign right now WILL become familiar and comforting.
Use your free time to travel to the rest of Italy and Europe! Take naps! This year will truly be the most challenging and rewarding year of your college career. For me, it was a life-changing experience.
Connect with other American students in your program. (It's OK to do that!) They're going through the same thing as you, and that bond can be very strong.
It's been 11 years since I lived in Venice, and I remember that year more vividly than any other year in my life. Three of my best friends now are the girls that lived in Italy the same year as me (two in Bologna, and one in Venice with me). Though we all now live in different cities, we get together as often as we can and we ALWAYS tell stories about that year. I'm going to share your blog with them, as I know they'll enjoy it too.
Sorry this is so long (English majors can be wordy!), but wanted to share all of this with you. Keep writing, and I look forward to following your story!!
Best wishes,
Devon Stiles