🇺🇸🛬🇮🇹“Getting an Italian driver's license has been a real challenge”

Aldo packed up his life in NYC and moved his family to Italy, reversing the path his great-grandfather had taken generations ago.

Why Bologna?

We thought that with the university, there would be many young, open-minded people here. We also thought that it might be more diverse than some other cities in Italy.

Any good surprises since you arrived?

The location has been fantastic, with a lot of beautiful nature within a short distance of the city—specifically the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano and the hills to the south and southwest. Getting around the city has also been quite easy, especially by bike. Public transportation has been reliable as well.

Any bad surprises?

It is nowhere near as diverse as we thought, and it still feels like things here are very rigid... There’s often only one way to do things: the Italian way. If you want to do things differently, it can be challenging.

Which visa did you use to come to Italy?

I obtained citizenship by descent through my parents, was able to pass it on to my children, and am currently working on the application for my wife.

Which administrative aspect did you find the most difficult to deal with?

Getting residenza for my wife and kids was tough, but once that was completed, we haven't had to worry much about it. Getting an Italian driver's license has also been a real challenge—the written test is notoriously difficult, mainly due to the language barrier.

What do you miss most about the USA that is hard or impossible to find here?

A really good cheeseburger! 😆 I haven't been able to find a proper one yet! It’s definitely easier to get things done quickly in the US, but I suppose that’s the trade-off for enjoying a more relaxed, slower pace of life.