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Far Away but Still So Near

Category: Yleinen

Ciao! Come stai? Postcard from Italy

Ciao from Piedmont, Italy! Come stai? If you ever wonder to work in another country, especially in Italy you should do it. This is the experience where you will at least learn how to live in a moment and you will learn how important it is to have a break durning your work shifts. Italians loves food and there is no excuse to not have a glass of wine when having lunch! I remember when I first saw my colleague taking a wine bottle on a lunch table - I am glad that I did not laugh as it seemed a bit absurd to me. Now it is just a part of a daily basis! I am doing my last internship here in Verduno at Scarpa Villas, Barolo Luxury Escape. It's been two months already! One month ahead. While writing this I feel a bit sad to think about that. I wanted to come here, because I am interested in learning more about wines. Also it has been a great opporunity to work in tourism industry outside of Finland. Here I have learnt more about a different working culture. For example, you might not know your work shifts furter than for one week. In the other hand working hours are quite flexible. Here we also eat all together while having a lunch. We even cook the lunch for ourselves at work, so we don't have to bring lunchboxes from home. ¨ My work tasks include cleaning the villas, helping customers with their questions, doing some e-mails with my collegues, learning more about the Scarpa winery and the social media marketing plan for the winery and the villas. Sometimes I am at the winery to see some of the tours and do some tastings there. On my free time I study some Italian language and I also try to finish my last online courses. I hope to graduate in October! After studying I go for walks or then I have a bike ride with an e-bike, as it is more usful here than a normal bike. I have also visited in Milan, Torino and at Lago di Garda (Garda lake). Sometimes I spent time with my colleague or with some Finnish people, whom lives nearby. I came here open minded and curious. First weeks was the hardest part, as I did not speak any Italian, only English. Anymore I do not feel overwhelmed every day trying to understand the language. It is amazing to notice, that in three months you will learn at least some basic words and sentences. To learn more I usually watch some TikToks and listen Italian music. I hope I won't forget all the things and language when I go back home! Distinti saluti // Best regards, Sofia