My exchange experience in Piedmont was the most unique experience of my life. I got to experience what it’s like to live surrounded by vineyards.
Salve from Piedmont, Italy!
During my exchange, I learned what it’s like to run a farm in the same way as here in Finland. As I expected, the working days and work ethic were very different, and the working methods differ quite a lot from those in Finland. The work is also hard due to the hot weather.
Despite the unusual working methods and generally complex bureaucracy, I liked Northern Italy. Especially near Alba, you can really feel the authentic, peaceful Italian way of life. There are very few tourists, and the locals are so relaxed and… Italian. Everyone just lives the best life possible and, as the Italians would say, enjoys dolce far niente. In other words, doing nothing. Wherever you look, you see people eating lunch or dinner and enjoying the day.
In my opinion, both Finland and Italy have their own pros and cons, but I would rather choose something between these two cultures. Finns could learn to relax and take it easier, and Italians could sometimes be more precise, punctual, and attentive to detail.
Overall, I like that Italians don’t take things so seriously (except for food and cooking), which is a very important part of their culture.
If I could recommend a travel destination where you can experience something completely different from Finland, I would warmly recommend Italy. It is such a diverse country with endless things to see and experience. During my exchange, I also traveled a lot within Italy, visiting Genoa, Rome, Asti, and even Tuscany.
Italy is a place where you will definitely be well taken care of as a tourist.
Comments