Culture shock

My university warned me about this and kind of prepared me for it to be a big deal; however I think the culture shock in Italy is probably one of the milder types (if that's a thing).

There are a few things I've found a bit too easy to adapt to:

Eat whatever, whenever

This is partly down to the fact I haven't started at the Conservatorio yet so my days have no routine. And I'm still in 'tourist' mode (expires July 2015) so feel it is still acceptable to have as much pizza and wine and chocolate as is manageable. I don't really know enough yet to judge how locals eat but the concept of aperativo gives a good impression - a drink and lotssss of nibbles for 5 euros? Yes please. I also saw an old woman eating ice cream at 10am the other day, which was amazing and I aim to do the same now that I know it's a done thing.

Just chill out

Everything, from my flat rental, to the conservatorio, to my flatmates and the people I have met, is just so relaxed. The days just float by in this quiet little city, there is no stressful rush hour or early morning bustle (although I can't say I've actually seen many early mornings yet, oops).

Having said that, adapting to the ways the days work has been a bit strange:

Upside down days

As a small town English girl I am very much used to the idea that 'days' are from 9-5, things close, it is then the evening, that is it, done. But here, you have to rise early to catch the morning (9-1 ish) before things close for the afternoon (so they can all have a nap, cause Italian life is so hard, bless). This part of the day is usually my most productive, I'm finally awake by about 1 and can start my day, but .... everything is shut until 5. At which point, even though the sun has set, the city wakes up again and people reappear and I'm just about ready for bed.

Language barriers

Obviously this is probably the main one for me, who didn't take any language courses before moving here. I've been called 'brave', but in reality it is perhaps more 'stupid'. I felt like the first couple of weeks of being here was my 'window' of being 'English' and 'oh scusa, non parlo Italiano', and it gets you by, and people are lovely about it. However, even though it's near impossible to learn fast enough, by this point I don't want to have to say I don't speak Italian, and I feel guilty every time I don't understand something. It does get easier day by day though, and I am looking at starting multiple courses!

So, overall I don't feel I've experienced massive culture shock. At least not to the point where it's made me homesick. And because I haven't started studying, I've had the time to figure things out and adapt to the way of life here. Which is pretty easy to do when the main cultural elements are eating pizza, strolling round piazzas and admiring nice views...