What were you grateful for this week?
The Italian Questura. 

 

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?
The Italian Questura. 

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
Agreeing to continuing my stay for even longer than anticipated!

Tell us about your week! 
SO, in case anyone didn’t know, the way that I prefer to travel is a little bit different than most. I love fast paced, typical summers backpacking through Europe as much as the next person (I actually don’t think THAT many people prefer this to a steady and reliable life, but I’m referring to the portion of human beings that really love traveling), and I choose to do so nearly every summer. Sometimes even twice a year. BUT, in between those traveling spurts, I like to have a place to live. A place that supplies some kind of stability, some kind of income, and all kinds of NOT Utah. 

 

Unfortunately, the list of countries that offer this kind of opportunity with little to zero requirements, is depressingly short. And being an American doesn’t actually give you that many opportunities out here in the real world, as I’m sure most of you are unaware of. So I have already used up the two easiest countries to live in as an American, other than America. When I came to Italy, I chose to get a student visa because I had every intent to stay here for as long as possible, as I was looking for my new HOME. Not new country to briefly visit. Upon arrival, because of the type of visa that I had applied for and received, I had to visit the Questura and apply for my “permit of stay”. (Like I said. Living abroad IS NOT A SIMPLE THING). I was given an appointment to have a meeting with someone about my application, and then told to wait. My appointment was set for January, meaning I JUST had it this past week. 

Annnnnnnddddd it turns out that I can LEGALLY (this is a very important word here, people. You do not want to be trying to stay in different countries anywhere ever ILLEGALLY. That is not smart for reasons that I hope I don’t actually have to list) stay in Italy, with my wonderful little family, for a full year!! Eliana and I were so excited we practically skipped out of the tiny building that reminded me of a really mean, foreign DMV, smiling and praying that it’s actually real. 

 

I will officially receive my permit of stay in three weeks (no, the process isn’t over yet), so FINGERS CROSSED THAT THE ITALIAN MAN WEARING A POLICE OFFICER VEST EVEN THOUGH WE WERE IN A GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND NOT A JAIL WASN’T LYING TO ME.