hi!

iv been in Torino for 6months now, im 21 and moved here for my fiance. I feel so homesick sometimes, not having all my friends and family around, not being able to go out and talk in English or hear English, the life is so different, so many things make me homesick, i feel bad as my bf does everything to make me feel confortable, but i just find it difficult!! so glad to know im not alone with this, and that others feel the same so much information and advice on this site.. think its going to help me loads

xxxx

Katie go to Facebook and look up the group Torino Expats. There's a little 4th or 5th of July event that might happen if enough people can do it. (NOT Turin's Expats - that is a different group and seems to by guys looking for Amer. Chicks!). You'll find a group of us here in Torino - also do a search on "Torino" on this board and you'll find more Torino Expats...

and Katie -- where in Torino do you live?

hi! thanks very much laurie! il do a search now! i live in ciriè.. do you know it? its like a 20minute drive from the city of Torino, really nice and quiet here! where about are you?

xx

oh and found Torino Expats on facebook and joined the group!

I moved to ITaly with hubbie, 10-yearl-old daughter and dog in July, to follow our dream and guess what? I am hugely homesick. Feel so stupid - spent a fortune on our house which I love but the location is very isolated. I am used to kids coming and going every day, and I miss that terribly. Daughter happy at school but finds school on Saturdays tough.
We have rented our house in Ireland out until next July so do not have the option of going home.
We are making friends here but I still want to to home! Totally miserable....

quote:

Originally posted by Linda Fagan-Hos:
I moved to ITaly with hubbie, 10-yearl-old daughter and dog in July, to follow our dream and guess what? I am hugely homesick. Feel so stupid - spent a fortune on our house which I love but the location is very isolated. I am used to kids coming and going every day, and I miss that terribly. Daughter happy at school but finds school on Saturdays tough.
We have rented our house in Ireland out until next July so do not have the option of going home.
We are making friends here but I still want to to home! Totally miserable....

Alas, there is no 'quick fix' for what you are feeling. It will be of little comfort to you that AT LEAST 99% of the rest of us have 'been there and done that (and we've got the T shirt)!'

Being in an isolated location is hard when you are just starting out, but it need not be insurmountable (unless you LET it...).

Invite your daughters school friends over to lunch on maybe a Saturday afternoon. They won't have pressures to get their homework done for the next day. Best do this for the first time in the autumn, as in summer the parents often like to go away/out for the day/weekend.

By inviting the kids, the parents will then come to collect them and you will have a good basis for new friendships. Don't rubbish the thought of joining (?) other ladies who go to their local bar for coffee etc. in the mornings after church. Even if you don't attend yourself - get yourself known. They are naturally inquisitive and you will get the opportunity to become part of the crowd.

Most of all though - be patient! The homesickness will disappear, but - unfortunately - not overnight.

Hi Linda, whereabouts in Italy are you? Can you get into a town and maybe meet up with others in your situation. If you are anywhere near Florence we do regular evenings out for English speaking mums.

quote:

Originally posted by Carole B.:
Don't rubbish the thought of joining (?) other ladies who go to their local bar for coffee etc. in the mornings after church. Even if you don't attend yourself - get yourself known. They are naturally inquisitive and you will get the opportunity to become part of the crowd.

This last bit is really good advice! I regularly have coffee after morning drop off with a number of the mums from my daughter's school. Last year it was me and two English speakers, this year there are more Italian speakers than English! Most of the problem I have found is that the mums are nervous of trying out their English on you or of forcing you to use your Italian - they assume you are nervous too. It's amazing how quickly I have gone from saying Buongiorno to ciao to having creaky conversations with people I barely looked at when I first arrived!

Well Claire, guess what? You're not alone! I'm Italian but I live in Florida wit my wife who is American. And yes, I know what you mean when you say that you feel a bit homesick. Sometimes I feel homesick here just because people don't give me a chance to practice my English.
Sometimes I wonder, if my wife can understand me why other people can't? Sometimes is not just about learning a new language but is the way you're good to speak it. At least you won't have these sort of problems in Italy. I miss Rome and my wife too. If it wouldn't be for my wife I would feel isoleted too! I wish you could teach some Italian to my wife who is so lazy! Well, I hope you can solve your problems. Good luck. Ciao!

Awwwwwwwwwwww thankyou

Yes i can see im not alone there are alot of us out there all over the place feeling homesick and away from our countries we grew up in. I still do have moments of homesickness but it helps when i make myself some English food or something i miss. Watching my favorite movie etc...

I am lazy with my italian i know a little but sometimes i find it so hard and then i feel i dont want to learn it. You could always help your wife learn italian make it fun in someway that helps me.