Last blog – the summary

It is hard to call my Italian mission successful or unsuccessful. If I consider my original plan (to find appropriate job, to start career etc.), I must admit the failure. It did not succeed in that but as I found it was not as much my mistake. I learned that native tongue is still important, especially in Italy, and the idea that with English I can get along anywhere I want was so wrong. Living in Italy has changed my idea about European Union. Before, I thought that EU is one great country with people different but still pulling together. Now I am more skeptical of this idea. I think that EU is now more about selfish nations trying to earn the most from EU membership. The common ideas and grand thoughts we may hear from the politicians but the ordinary people think something else.

My idea of travelling has changed. My boyfriend travels a lot and I have always been wishing person when it comes to travelling. But his traveling is not vacation anymore; usually it is connected with business activities. I realized that his travelling leaves behind me staying home alone quiet often and usually after his return there is no plan for weekend (he returns tired and hopes to rest for weekend). So, now I do not encourage me or my boyfriend to travel that much and we became more homebodies. We keep watch every possibility to spend together at our home with no duties such as travelling.

During the past year, I found out what is really important for me. Before, I thought that my career, job or studies are one of the most important things in my life. The feeling of independence and success achieved through these things made me feel very comfortable and the feeling that I am able to take care of myself was a great deal. But the priorities slightly changed. Now, I appreciate the family more than ever. They are those people who help me in the bad times and situations. Recognition that there always will be help keeps me calm in any situations. I think that without having my Italian experience I would never realize this – or it would come much more lately.

The immigrant experience is a good experience, although not always great. From fully recognized and, let’s say, upper class citizen of Czech Republic I have become some sort of person between tourist-migrant class with narrow rights. From university education young women I became unwanted labour force with wrong skills (if I had skills of nurse or some other manual worker, it would really be better). Seeing all that has opened my yeas. For me as a migration scientist this experience has been more than worth it. Just now I can see what is alike to be a true migrant.

My conclusion? If there is chance to try living abroad, it is a great chance and it is definitely worth it. Even though I do not consider my Italian stay very successful, I am glad that I had the opportunity to try living on my own abroad. The massage out of my whole adventure is described by one of the Czech proverbs: “the things that you can overcome give you the energy to overcome others”.