The Real Life in Italy By cover art

The Real Life in Italy

By: Evelyn | Colline Alle Montagne - Life in Italy Guide
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  • Summary

  • The Real Life in Italy is just doing the best we can to make life in Italy as a foreigner just a bit easier. We’re cutting through the bullshit of “La Dolce Vita” to share with you what you really need to know while living in Italy. From tidbits of Italian culture to navigating the nightmarish bureaucracy, and even some language tips, you’ll find it all here. What will we be talking about? Anything and everything about living in Italy. Here’s just some questions we’ll look to answer: Who the hell was this Garibaldi guy? And this Aldo Moro? Why does every town have a Via XX Settembre?! How do I get my Permesso di Soggiorno and more importantly, dear God how do I survive the Questura? What DOES mi raccomando mean? What Birth Control is in Italy? Can I get IVF on Healthcare? What are my options when pregnant in Italy? (Yes, we’ll get serious.) What IS the difference between Carabinieri and Polizia?! No really, can I get an iced coffee in Italy? Living in Italy as a foreigner is filled with challenges and moments where we all want to cry, rip out our hair, throw the towel in, and say basta, I’m going home. You’re not alone. But I believe the more we can confidently understand our life abroad as expats in Italy, the easier, and more enjoyable it gets. My own life in Italy has taken me to struggle through, and figure out how bureaucracy, healthcare, and finances work here. Along the way, because I am a nerd, I’ve also decided to learn all I can about the long and complicated history of this country I call home. Nothing makes me happier than sharing this information with fellow expats in Italy and watching them laugh off the struggle and thrive in their new life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all. Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out. To learn even more about life in Italy, Italian culture, history, and bureaucracy visit: www.collineallemontagne.com Find your host, Evelyn, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/collinemontagne And if you’d like to show your support, you can always buy me a glass of wine: www.buymeacoffee/colline
    Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Navigating the Italian Driver's License as an Expat

    Navigating the Italian Driver's License as an Expat
    Jul 8 2024

    In this episode of The Real Life in Italy we’re exploring the process of getting an Italian driver's license as a foreigner. We’ll cover an in-depth guide on when and why expats in Italy might need to get this license and how to get it done, with essential tips to prepare for the theory and practical exams.

    Later, I’m joined by fellow American in Italy, Elizabeth Thacker Jones to discuss their shared experiences, challenges, and insights into driving in Italy.

    For those living in Italy or planning on an extended stay, this episode is packed with valuable information and practical advice to help you hit the road legally and confidently.

    You can connect with Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethtjones/

    TimeStamps: 01:41 When and Why You Need an Italian Driver's License 03:59 Steps to Get Your Italian Driver's License 05:00 Studying for the Theory Exam 12:38 Taking the Practical Exam 14:38 Interview with Elizabeth: Driving in Milan 18:20 Traveling in Italy: Renting a Car vs. Public Transport 21:06 Personal Experiences with Italian Driver's License 23:18 Navigating the Italian Driving Test 26:32 Challenges and Tips for Expats 43:06 Final Tips and Recommendations

    If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot!

    Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy.

    This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all.

    Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out.

    Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne

    You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Understanding Cosa Nostra - The Italian Mafia Series

    Understanding Cosa Nostra - The Italian Mafia Series
    Jul 1 2024
    In this episode of 'The Real Life in Italy,' we're following up our Understanding the Italian Mafia episode to specifically focus on Cosa Nostra. Now, there's a LOT. This podcast episode is just giving you a basic understanding to put into context of your life as an expat in Italy. We'll cover a bit about Cosa Nostra's history, organizational structure, and how it has managed to adapt and survive over the years. Key historical events, such as the Maxi Trials in the 1980s and 1990s, are highlighted for their role in reshaping the mafia's operations. The episode also covers how the mafia influences today's Italy, including its impact on politics, business, and everyday life. I'll share a few antimafia movements you should be aware of, and details on how corruption happens today in Italy. I promised a lot of resources, so here are a few: About the mafia in Italian food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hHVuK8cA04 To read: Midnight in Sicily by Peter Robb; The Day of the Owl by Leonardo Sciascia; Sites to stay informed: Antimafiaduemilla And the list goes on, keep reading and learning about it as deep into as you'd like to know Timstamps: 00:00 Introduction to Cosa Nostra 02:18 The Structure of Cosa Nostra 03:20 Cosa Nostra's Influence on Society 06:51 Initiation and Rules of Cosa Nostra 10:03 Historical Evolution of Cosa Nostra 12:34 Modern-Day Operations and Financials 15:02 The Infamous Pizzo and Anti-Mafia Movements 17:07 The Maxi Trials: A Turning Point 18:47 Legal Reforms Post-Maxi Trials 24:25 Modern-Day Mafia Operations 29:48 Conclusion: Living in Italy Today

    If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot!

    Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all.

    Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out.

    Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne

    You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline
    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • The Expat Files: Damien O’Farrell on Navigating Life and Work in Italy

    The Expat Files: Damien O’Farrell on Navigating Life and Work in Italy
    Jun 24 2024

    In our first episode of the monthly series “The Expat Files” here on The Real Life in Italy, Evelyn interviews Damien O'Farrell, an expert on global mobility who has lived in Italy for over 36 years.

    Damien shares his journey from moving to Italy to assist a friend, to running a teaching business, and eventually starting a global mobility agency.

    We also get into just how important it is to show Italy not only as a place to retire but as a place to create a life and work. Damien also offers insights into the most promising industries and skills for a lucrative career in Italy, underscoring the necessity of hard work and continuous learning.

    Essentially: Figure out if Italy is right for you. Be Decisive. Do the Work.

    Time Stamps:

    00:56 Meet Damien O'Farrell: A Global Mobility Expert in Italy 01:48 Damien's Journey to Italy 03:43 From Teaching to Global Mobility 05:54 Adapting to Change: Business and Technology 08:53 Challenges and Opportunities in Italy 15:26 Deciding to Stay in Italy 20:00 Navigating Bureaucratic Hurdles 21:57 Cultural Quirks and Public Administration 24:55 Daily Life and Work Realities 29:49 Economic Challenges and Work Opportunities 38:16 Advice for Long-Term Living in Italy

    Damien O’Farrell a Global Mobility Expert and Expat Coach with over thirty years of experience in Italy. He specializes in facilitating smooth transitions for individual and corporate clients adapting to Italian life. His services include immigration, relocation, citizenship, and expat coaching programs

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damien.ofarrell Website: https://damienofarrell.com Blog: https://damien65.medium.com/ Ultimate Italy Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2yMCNfK

    If you enjoyed the episode, and show, please leave us a 5 ⭐️ rating, it means a lot!

    Thanks for listening to the Real Life in Italy. This podcast is for foreigners living in Italy, who are all just trying to make sense of it all.

    Listen in to learn all about a side of living in Italy everyone else forgot to tell you about. But don’t expect us all to be better, I promise. Expect some good laughs, helpful tips and cultural explanations, and expat stories to remind you that you aren’t alone, and it’ll all work out.

    Learn more about Evelyn at www.collineallemontagne.com www.instagram.com/collinemontagne

    You can show your support by buying me a glass of wine, I always appreciate it: www.buymeacoffee.com/colline
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
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