What It’s Really Like to Live Abroad as a PhD Student

👩🏼‍🎓🇮🇹 In this episode, we sit down with Sofia Vrettou, a Greek researcher and expat currently living in Italy, to explore what it really takes to build a life abroad — emotionally, culturally, and personally. Sofia shares her journey from Greece to Bologna as a PhD researcher, the cultural differences she experienced between Greek and Italian life, how identity shifts when you move countries, and the challenges of adapting to new academic and social environments.

We discuss:

• The emotional side of living abroad
• Language barriers & cultural surprises
• How to build community when starting over
• The beauty of blending cultures
• Rediscovering yourself outside your home country

🎧 Whether you're already abroad, planning to relocate, or simply curious about expat life — this conversation is for you.

📲 Follow Sofia on:
https://www.instagram.com/sofiavrettou_/

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:45 Guest Background & Expat Journey
• 11:12 Biggest Challenges & Surprising Moments
• 45:15 Expat Life Hack & Advice
• 47:35 Cultural Deep Dive & Fun Comparisons
• 52:55 Wrap-up

Transcript

0:00
The weather was a big shock for me in the beginning. Also, moving here without knowing anyone,
0:07
anyone. I mean, I had zero contacts. I thought that Italians with Greeks were
0:13
much more similar, but I had the the South Italian in my mind. I thought I
0:18
was on the quite good level, but coming here, you know, and I remember my father, I
0:25
told him, he was telling me, "Oh, do you speak Italian? Yeah, you can communicate in all. Bye-bye. D, you know, have you
0:34
ever spoken Italian with an Italian? Really miss I didn't I didn't remember to say it before, but I really miss
0:42
espresso. It's the whole coffee culture actually. It seems
0:47
welcome to expert experts. In this last episode of season 3, we are diving into
0:52
the world where science meets challenges of living abroad with Sophia Breu. Born
0:58
in Athens, Greece and now based in Italy, Sophia is a researcher, traveler,
1:04
and expert who traded the familiar rhythms of home for the challenges of international academia.
1:11
From studying civil engineering in Greece to pursuing her PhD in Bologna, she's learned what it means to build
1:18
life between cultures, both at a work and a personal level.
1:23
In this episode, we'll explore Sophia's journey from Greece to Italy, the realities of being a PhD student abroad,
1:31
the cultural shocks, and the family moments that it comes with the expert life, and also what it truly means to
1:37
find the moment when you start appreciating things far from home. So, sit back, relax, and let's explore this
1:43
expert experience together. Welcome to Expert Experts. I'm really happy to have Sophia with me here.
Guest Background & Expat Journey
1:49
Welcome to the show. Thank you. It's very nice to be here. Nice. Um, so Sophia, you're originally
1:55
from Athens? I'm from Athens. Yes. Greece. And you're living in Bologna. Since when?
2:01
Uh, since one year. No. Yeah, just one year. I moved here last
2:08
in last October. In the end of October. So, um, one year. What brought you to Italy?
2:15
Yeah. So, I mean, you know me already, so please be surprised.
2:20
No. Yeah. Yeah. No. I mean I need to react as I don't know anything but to think that you are explaining it to
2:26
the audience and not to me let's say like this right good yeah so yes I moved here last October in the
2:34
start in the end of October start of November and because I started my PhD here
2:40
so I'm a civil engineer I studied in Athens then I worked there for two years and I
2:46
just came here to do my PhD yes so civil engineer in Athens You did
2:52
university degree. Yes, I attended the poly technical. I don't know the English.
2:58
Poly techchno. Sure. Sure. We have a lot of Greek followers. People
3:03
know I will talk in Greek. Yes. Exactly. Yes. So I did the poly technical which
3:09
is five year in Athens. So it's like an integrated masters. I mean both like Yeah. Integrated master
3:15
they call it. So it's like a bachelor and the master combined together. Yes. Mhm.
3:21
And uh yes, then I finished I I had my like specialization in hydraology.
3:30
And uh yes, now I'm doing a PhD mostly based in hydrarology.
3:35
We have a guest. Yeah. In a cut form. That's good as always.
3:41
Um and the PhD. So you said you work in between. How how does it come that you
3:46
start and decide to start a PhD abroad and not continue working or doing it at
3:52
home? Yeah. Yeah. I will tell you. So I was working for two years in the company uh
3:58
where we were designing marine stuff, marine works and coastal works
4:04
and uh at some point I felt a bit stuck. So there and I wanted to expand with my
4:11
knowledge, learn more things and I was thinking to do a master. Mhm. So in the beginning h I was thinking to
4:19
go to the Netherlands because I don't know everyone from Greece that has specialization in hydrarology goes to
4:25
Netherlands or but in general there is a lot of Greeks who go to study to to to Netherlands. Yeah. So I I was thinking of the same
4:33
but I was wasn't very sure on what I liked. So I mean I am an
4:40
engineer. I like any part of engineering. I could be from an architect from not an electrical
4:46
engineer but I don't know I like everything about engineering. So I couldn't choose what I wanted to
4:53
study more. M and then I talked with with my Greek professor who
5:00
with whom I did the thesis and he suggested me oh why don't you do a PhD I mean you get paid you don't have
5:08
to pay it's three years in in Europe mostly
5:14
h then I got an invitation from the US
5:19
okay maybe you don't know that no I didn't know that yeah but uh since I wasn't very sure
5:26
whether I wanted to leave Greece and how far I wanted to go. So I said no. Mhm.
5:31
And then I again had a conversation with my professor and he told me why don't
5:37
you go in Italy that I know a professor there with whom I collaborate with and I
5:42
said okay why not? So I applied and I got accepted and here I am.
5:49
Yes. So the idea of like doing the PhD abroad was always on the table or you
5:55
were also considering I don't know doing it at home and No, not at all. I mean I think everyone
6:01
that has an experience of studying in Greece I mean not studying but doing a
6:06
PhD in Greece. You're not getting paid. It lasts for a lifetime.
6:11
And since I'm okay I like doing research but not for my whole life or seven or
6:18
more years. So I it was rejected from the first time. Yes.
6:23
How does it work when you want to do a PhD abroad? So I mean in your case your professor has had already a contact here
6:30
and then you propose your thesis to them and you say would like to work with this university or
6:35
I think it depends on the I mean I'm sure it depends on the university because in order to get accepted your
6:42
professor has to have funds from somewhere. So I was lucky because at
6:49
this point that I was interested he had won a grant
6:56
funding. A funding yes for for a project and he told me okay this is the the idea of the
7:02
project. It's about extreme weathers and so droughts and floods and
7:09
yeah he sent me the his proposal for the project and he told me okay write a
7:14
proposal because in order to get accepted you have to submit a proposal for on what you you you will work on.
7:22
Uh so I did the proposal I I also applied for I also submitted all the
7:30
paper paper stuff. Yes. And yeah, the fun part is that the they okay after you
7:38
get accepted that they they see that you have all the appropriate stuff.
7:44
H it's the part of the interview. Okay. Yes. So I've done an interview before.
7:50
No online or No, it was online. And the fun part is
7:56
that uh I was on a site visit with my previous job and of course no one knew
8:03
it that I was going to leave because I also didn't know that I was going to leave and we were in Malta and I remember the
8:12
interview was at 3:00 and I was at 2:30 I was in the lobby of
8:18
the of the hotel with my boss waiting for my room to get ready and I was like no it's gone. I'm I'm going to miss the
8:25
interview. I don't know. And yes. And then Yeah. But I was not prepared at
8:32
all. So I have left anything to lack and I said, "Okay, if if it's if it happens,
8:38
if it happens, it happens." Yes. Uh so yes, I don't even remember what I
8:44
said to the interview. Uh to check some
8:50
No, no, all good. Perfect. Uh and yes so
8:56
so how much time does it take like did it take you because I suppose I mean you're right end of or beginning of
9:02
November no or end of November October and then but you applied I when I applied I think in May.
9:11
Okay. Then the interview was in in the beginning of June and then I I had the
9:19
email that I got accepted in July I think. Okay. Yeah. So there is quite some months in between
9:25
to Yes. Yes. Yes. But actually it depends on the university. Yeah. Of course. Of course.
9:30
Nice. And what's the PhD about? Okay. Uh I'm you know that I'm
9:36
struggling to specify the topic of the PhD like majority of the like majority of the so put a banner do
9:44
not never do a PhD it's not alert
9:50
it's a highly recommended not the yeah so mostly I mean the general topic is that
9:58
it's about extreme weather so extreme rainfall basically
10:04
And all this is studied with stoastic models. So mathematical based models
10:11
that I'm I can I cannot see them anymore. I love my be. No.
10:20
Yes. So you study rainfall with stoastic models and then you put some climate parameters to see how climate changes
10:28
throughout the decades and how rainfall is affected and how societies are affect affected.
10:34
And my professor's goal is to quantify uncertainty.
10:41
Okay. So kind of prediction on the future.
10:46
Not really. Prediction they it's a forbidden word for Okay. Yeah.
10:51
Yeah. Because it's not certain. Yeah. Yeah. You say that nothing is certain. It's a lack of predictability.
10:58
Everything is uncertain, surprising and blah blah blah. Uh so we try to estimate
11:04
and give a probability to of occurrence of extremes. Okay. Nice. And I mean you've been here
Biggest Challenges & Surprising Moments
11:14
for one year now. So how was the change from Greece to Italy the beginning when
11:20
you arrived? Okay. I think it was harder than I expected.
11:25
Okay. I mean it was my first time alone. my
11:31
first time alone in the abroad h because in Athens I was living with my not in my
11:38
family house but I mean on the first close yes on the first floor is my aunt
11:44
with my cousins on the second floor my family on the third me so very close to family very close to
11:49
friends I had a a very very busy daily life with
11:55
a lot of activities sports a lot of yeah social life. So
12:02
moving from a sunny Athens also. Yeah. Also November, October in Bologna that is
12:09
rainy and dark. I remember this the first days were quite sunny but then you know the fog
12:16
here in Bologna. So I remember going back home from from the office in the
12:21
university and crossing Pata Major which was which was completely empty with fog
12:28
and I was like where am I in a ghost city? I don't know Halloween.
12:35
Yeah. True. True. So I didn't expect that the weather will
12:41
would affect me so much. Yeah. you you have lived in Athens so
12:47
you know that the weather is nice nice most of the time and even if
12:53
it rains after some while it's sunny again h so the weather was a big sh so sh so
12:59
shock for me in the beginning also moving here without knowing anyone
13:05
any anyone I mean I had zero contacts here was very hard in the beginning I
13:12
remember I don't remember? No, I remember I have met some people through
13:20
through apps that I was searching for an apartment and they were also Greek.
13:26
Okay. Yeah, there is a lot of you have to feel familiar and then yes
13:33
but unfortunately two of the three of the people I've met in the beginning left after two months because they had
13:39
their inter internships. Erh so yes you know then again the cycle
13:45
of trying to meet new people make connections
13:50
yeah it's normally the the first trap on the on the foreigner life when you live abroad it's like this
13:57
moment of loneliness and solitude yeah loneliness kick the
14:02
no I mean especially I mean I know a lot of people in Greece who also live in the same kind of situation where family it's
14:10
in the same building and everything is very familiar because Greeks are very familiar in that sense like they all live kind of
14:16
in a community know let's say like these were their families and their and their friends and suddenly you remove all of that and
14:24
it's a safety net that disappears 100%. So I get it. Like
14:29
I suppose it hits harder if you're used to these kind of environments where everyone it's close by. No. So
14:36
yeah. And I mean I'm a quite shy person but social in on the other hand. So I
14:44
like I really enjoy social life but I need some time to open up and stuff. So
14:50
I had the very good social life in Athens with I told you a lot of activities. I mean after a work I did a
14:58
lot of things so I never felt bored and suddenly I was in a foggy bologn with no
15:04
one and yeah how did you meet friends here?
15:09
Yes. Uh you already know but okay there are some there is an app not
15:17
an app a Facebook page called girl international. So randomly, I saw a
15:22
comment of a Greek girl on a post that said, "Okay, let's meet.
15:28
I'm here. I'm new here." Blah, blah, blah. And then I met with four girls
15:34
this day. H that we are still in touch and we go out and they are my friends
15:40
here. And uh also I I joined two running
15:46
clubs which two two for the no it was two in the beginning and and then I'm I'm
15:53
continuing with just one because I cannot do anymore and yeah Ianic clubs are a
16:00
very good choice for meeting yeah meeting new people.
16:05
I mean any sport generically an activity that generates more than just meeting
16:11
for the fact of meeting you have more connection with the people because at least you like whatever hobby you are
16:16
doing at but I mean let's say that you're not a professional runner or I mean it's I
16:22
think it's more difficult to get to another sport for example if you
16:28
haven't practiced any sport. So social running is a very good opportunity.
16:34
Do you talk while you run with the people? Because I'm incapable of talking while running. Like
16:41
in the beginning that I knew no one I I tried to speak with some people but
16:49
in the very very beginning in the first kilometer and then I said okay let's talk after because I was completely out
16:56
of breath. Uh yeah, but then I met some people and we go for beers after or we
17:02
meet up outside of the running club and Nice. How does this work the running
17:08
club? So you meet once per week or twice per week and then you run randomly or
17:14
there is a specific route that you always do the same running? No, they are very organized
17:20
on the one that I'm going. They meet every Tuesday on a clothes shop in
17:26
Bologna. And basically they have four groups, four page groups. And each of them has a
17:33
a pacer. So you choose which is your pace, how much you can run to get social. I
17:41
don't know. And then you start running. They almost always follow the same rule.
17:48
And it's how many kilometers? I mean four groups I suppose each group also has different distance
17:54
and the minimum is 6 kilometers with pace 630 so quite
17:59
right yeah for a beginner it's very good and then I think the most difficult one
18:06
is around 8 kilometers with 4 430 there
18:11
no no you don't talk the the groups cross at
18:17
Margarita okay And you can see the four the difference of the people running.
18:24
Why? Why are you doing that? Yeah. But I mean they are like professionals. They are going more into really doing it
18:30
for the sport rather than the socializing part of it. No, probably. And what about people? Because I mean
18:38
I've lived three years in Athens now. I'm also nearly one year here and I noticed that people it's also different.
18:45
And I think that north Italians are also very different than South Italians, for example, which maybe the South Italians
18:52
are a little bit closer to Athenians or Greeks in general. Um, how do you feel with the locals, let's say?
19:00
[Music] Okay. Again, I didn't I thought that Italians
19:08
with Greeks were much more similar, but I had the the South Italian in my mind.
19:13
So again this was also a shock in the beginning.
19:20
Okay to be honest with in my social cycle I think I have only one Italian.
19:28
Yeah. Yeah. Erh I mean in a very close like
19:33
apart from that the most of my colleagues in the university are Italians not originally from Bologna but
19:41
from the because they don't exist the people from Bolognia they are not in Bolognia I think they I think there are only two
19:47
from Bolognia out of 15 and yeah and then yes and but they are
19:54
all from the north of Italy everyone is good But they are a bit
20:00
closed compared to people from Greece. I mean I I you have much more experience
20:07
than me on that and yeah but they're very much clo much more close
20:14
I mean they have their social circles already and entering their Yes. That's very difficult. I mean and
20:20
you know I'm a person that I don't want to disturb anyone. I mean disturb but not that the
20:27
force yourself into the Yes. Yes. Yes. And I don't want the other to feel that I I'm trying to
20:33
invade his his or her life. So I feel a bit weird about that. But I
20:40
mean as the time passes it gets better I think. Yeah. But if you are not a very
20:47
socialable person you have to try a lot. M
20:53
if you want if you can't handle loneliness. I mean some people like staying alone. Yeah. Yeah.
20:59
There's people who can handle it and live with it. I mean I'm I'm not one of them. Yeah. I don't know how to be alone at all.
21:07
Um you touch a point that it's I wanted to ask you and it's interesting for me because I don't have that. I mean it's
21:13
the work environments and I know that every environment is different but how has it been for you here? I mean you are
21:20
doing a PhD but that means that you need to go to a specific place to do perform
21:26
the research and then you go every day how does it you know it's not mandatory at all uh at
21:33
least in the beginning also my professor told me you don't really have a reason to be in Bolognia I mean apart from
21:40
following some courses so I could work from when wherever I
21:45
wanted but most of my colleagues go to the office almost every day. So it's
21:51
nice to see other people working. I'm I'm mean I cannot work from home. That's a problem that I have. H So yeah going
22:01
there you feel more motivated. You also have your PC high capacity PC. Yeah. So
22:07
so you and going normally to I'm going yeah almost every day apart from the time that I'm g I am in Greece
22:15
or I'm traveling I'm going. Okay. And then so you still have your Greek
22:21
professor in this PhD and then you have an Italian one but the PhD is from the
22:26
UNIO in University of Bologna or the one in in how does it work?
22:31
It's funded from University of Bolognia. My main advisor is the Italian professor
22:37
and my I have like a co-advisor the Greek one. Okay. So it's like a support role like a
22:43
secondary professor. Yes. Yes. Because also my Greek professor is retired. So,
22:48
okay. So, it's more like out of his willingness to Yeah, but he's very active. I mean, I
22:54
hope I will be so active also on my 70. Yeah, that's what about the language? I know
23:01
that you're learning Italian. So, h you know, I started
23:08
studying Italian in Athens about I mean before COVID because I was thinking to
23:13
do an Arasmos in Milan. Oh, okay. Yeah. But then COVID came of course and
23:19
I chose or for or I was forced not to do a an Arasmos. So yeah, I studied Italian
23:27
in Athens for two and a half years. Okay. Yeah. I thought I was on a quite good
23:33
level but coming here you know and I remember my father I told
23:39
him he was telling me oh do you speak Italian you can communicate? I told you.
23:45
Bye-bye, Dad. You know, have you ever spoken Italian with an Italian? I mean,
23:51
it's not that easy. I'm trying, of course, at the supermarket and stuff, I
23:56
speak Italian, but having a conversation in Italian with Italian, it's it's
24:02
the next level. It's always like this. I mean, yeah.
24:08
And also, I mean, you come from a language that it's not the most uh close either. Like, I mean, you speak English,
24:14
you speak Greek, and all of them are really 100% connected to Latin languages. So, for us, for example, it's
24:20
a little bit easier to do the jump between French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish.
24:26
Yeah, you know, I can understand almost anything, but speaking is another story. I don't
24:33
know. At some point maybe I think that I will wake up one one day and we start and you will speak.
24:38
Yeah. Yeah. No, I mean at the end you also need to force yourself a little bit to
24:43
speak and to be making the mistakes you know like I went for example for a couple of peers
24:48
yesterday and there was some of them who were like ah you speak very well and then there was another was like correcting me and I appreciate that
24:55
sometime not not if it's done all the time but it's the only way of improving
25:00
in my opinion on having conversation deep conversations you will never have them in a classroom you need to go out
25:07
and talk to people. Yeah, that's true. That's true. I'm also a bit forced now to speak more because I have moved to a
25:15
new apartment where my one of my two flatmates doesn't speak English at all.
25:22
So, we have to communicate somehow. But, you know, also speaking Italian with I
25:28
don't know how to say to call the vacuum in the in Italian. I mean, how to call the washing machine in Italian. I've
25:34
learned it now, but it's different. Erh yeah but also when
25:39
you are tired and you want to say something it's it's a bit weird. Yeah. I mean the comfort of home it's
25:44
always a different story you know like you want to do things more or less easy or fast and you're at home because
25:51
you're tired after work or whatever and you don't want to be thinking on communication things.
25:56
But the reality is that that's when you are forced to do that. It's when you are actually improving your Italians and
26:02
learning vocabulary that until then you didn't use. Um workwise full in English.
26:09
Full in English. Yes. Also with my colleagues during breaks we speak in English. They speak Italian among them
26:16
but I'm able to understand. So whenever I want to speak I I speak in English. I've never spoken Italian.
26:24
Yeah it's okay. Yeah. What about I mean you touch it a little
26:29
bit and we all know about homes finding apartments in this city.
26:36
How was the experience of finding a flat? Again, I didn't expect it at all, but I
26:43
think uh I mean I have no experience of searching apartments at all. So maybe
26:51
that's because I didn't expect it. H
26:56
for example, because I know that also in Milan it's very hard. I mean that I know now before I didn't know.
27:02
H yes. So I told you that I I learned that I got accepted in the PhD program
27:09
in July and then I wasn't sure that I will come
27:14
here but I thought okay let's start searching for something I start
27:19
searching in August in August here there is nobody there's nobody
27:25
h so I got no answers firstly I started with some websites you know subto So
27:35
and others and I got no answers. I got very disappointed and then I remember
27:42
I don't remember who but somebody suggested me trying to find something through Facebook groups.
27:48
So I started through Facebook groups and then I got scammed.
27:54
Yes. Yes. Yes. I almost uh put the money but I didn't hopefully I don't know. I
28:01
don't remember how you realized it at the last minute. Ah, I remember because I have found
28:06
another girl that was searching for an apartment and I said I told her, "Okay, I have found one. Let's book it." And
28:14
she told me, "Oh, send me to to look at it." And she told me, "Oh, the link is is fake." He she has some experience.
28:22
Yeah. Yeah. So, yes. And then I remember I was on
28:27
holiday and whenever I heard Italian I wanted to ask, oh, do you maybe know
28:33
someone that has a house in Bologna? Yeah. And finally, I told you I came
28:38
here on the 28th of October and I found an apartment in the beginning of
28:44
October. Yes. Then I wasn't very satisfied with this apartment. But since you already
28:50
have an apartment and you are here, it's much easier. Easier. Yeah. you go a little bit more relaxed, I would say.
28:56
Yes. Yes. You still I mean at least you have you have a house. Even if you're not satisfied, you have a
29:03
bed. Yes. Absolutely. Yes. So yeah, then it was much easier.
29:09
But I had again to fight a lot for my new one because it's quite good compared to
29:18
the others. Yes. and I had to negotiate also in Italian with a 70 yearear-old
29:24
Italian woman. I don't know how I did it. And then I moved alone. It was a bit Yeah. But I'm
29:32
very happy now. Yes. Um maybe we touch a little bit like
29:38
we touch a lot of challenges. Is there anything that you like from let's say like this or Italy in general?
29:46
Okay. Okay. for the first year. I think the challenges that I had to overcome were a
29:53
lot. So I think that now I'm I'm starting to enjoy more Bologna.
30:01
Yes. Yes. I I mean Okay. Moving from Athens to here.
30:10
Okay. By it's a much smaller city with much less things to do, but it's full of
30:16
students. that again you are in a you're not in the student mood, you're not in
30:23
the family mood, you are something in between and it's a I think it's the
30:28
hardest period. I mean the hardest level let's
30:33
say. [Music] Yeah. So for me B it's a small city. I
30:40
miss the opportunities that Athens has. I mean it's the
30:46
everything but still I mean I like that it's very close to other cities. You can travel a
30:52
lot. You can take the train and go everywhere.
30:57
I also like that it's quite a walkable city. I mean in Athens I walked for 20
31:04
minutes and then Yeah. I mean Athens is highway comfortable. Yeah. or there is trees
31:11
every three steps and it's very very destroyed as a city like the walk paths
31:17
and everything going by bike absolutely forget it it's like a suicide
31:23
no bike no so yeah here the difference is noticeable like the people you can move
31:30
through all the city with a bike you don't even need a car or a motorbike to do anything and I think also what you
31:37
said like at the end the train connection with other things. That's something that Greece doesn't have at
31:42
all at all. At all. I felt like I I come from I don't know another universe and
31:47
we had no brains you know. I mean we have a basic brain line one.
31:58
Yeah. So, I really like this. Um, you know, I don't want to talk only
32:05
about the things that I miss, but I mean, I really miss the music in the bars. That's a huge difference for me
32:12
because the live music or the No, not only the live music, but also going out and have a music background in
32:20
the bars. Yeah. They don't have it here. I mean, in most of the bars, I think. Yeah. You need to know where to go. Yes.
32:27
Yes. It's a few Yeah, if you don't always go to Platello where
32:33
there is more people than music and then I just like I mean here like feneral puts music, the
32:39
uh bru below puts music. I don't know. So couple of them puts music on the
32:45
background. So but it's true like it's less than the Athens style. Also think one of one of
32:53
the things that you I also notice here it's the difference of the styles of
32:58
bars and restaurants. Athens I don't know how people does it because I don't know how they have the money to create
33:05
so much but the interior designs and the styles of the bars and restaurants is very high. It's very good.
33:12
I know. I know. I know. And I I mean yeah it's completely different. They
33:19
they care so much. so much they for every little detail. Even the bathrooms
33:24
I've told you it's another story. Yeah. Yeah. They they give so much
33:31
attention detail in the interior design and I mean I like I like interior design
33:37
so I like going to beautiful bars, beautiful restaurants. Here
33:43
you can find very few of very good
33:48
good ones taken care. Yeah. Taking care. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's something interesting also
33:55
because at the end the image and the perception that you have of Italy, it's always this whole bell and it's very
34:02
fake. The bar is like I don't know very empty and very Yeah.
34:07
Food wise. I mean I miss food. H okay food wise I think Bolognia has
34:15
very very good food but no okay if you want to eat local bologn food it's like
34:24
three options that you have um yeah so I mean the food quality is very
34:31
good if you choose for local dishes and also for some others yeah also Chinese I
34:38
like some Chinese restaurants here. H but I think again that the variety we
34:45
have in Greece it's yeah I mean I feel like in Athens for
34:50
example there is less quantity of I don't know Indian restaurants or Asian
34:56
restaurants and so on. That's true. But actually when I was going out in Athens, I always went to me and
35:03
that's the idea. Like I miss the concept of like me and eating outside small
35:10
plates and so on. And I miss the taberna style especially I miss the prices of Athens
35:17
of eating out because it's it's super expensive here compared to Athens.
35:23
But it's true that here for example the quantity of good I don't know, Japanese,
35:28
Chinese, Korean restaurants, Indian restaurants. It's higher than in Athens,
35:34
I would say. Um, but of course, you need to like this kind of food. When I when you I you used
35:40
to do the same. I rarely we used to go to restaurants that
35:45
were not Greek in Greece, you know, like we were always Yeah. But here, if you just want to eat
35:52
Italian, you have to eat the same things. Oh, yeah. Yes, that's the tortillini tortillini
35:59
and lasagna and ragu which is very nice but I can't I can't
36:05
eat more. I mean there is a limit of pasta per week. Yes,
36:10
should be true. Yeah, should be true. Yeah. So I miss the whole idea of the
36:16
meen that you go out with your friends on a Friday night and
36:21
here the the equal let's say one is the appetitivo that they do
36:29
I like it I like it but I mean you have always to see the the new experiences
36:34
with in my opinion not looking back. So if you compare,
36:41
I know that I like more the Greek way of living, but I don't want to compare that
36:47
much because it's something new. So to see it as something new.
36:53
So you are one year in Bolognia, one year inside of your PhD and the plan
37:00
idea would be two years more. No. Yes. Officially my funding actually ends
37:06
on on November 2027. So two years more.
37:13
Yes. And then I have to submit my thesis uh wait for three months to get the
37:19
corrections and then present defend thesis in on March in March
37:26
and yeah I have to do a period abroad. I don't know if I will do it because I'm
37:31
already forer. Yes. From the funding of the program,
37:36
you are highly encouraged. Encouraged yes to go somewhere else.
37:43
Somewhere in another institute mostly I think not I think for sure it's for Italians to
37:49
go out of Italy but if you are a foreigner I mean you could go back home
37:55
it's it's a yeah no no it's not an option. Okay interesting.
38:00
Yes. So you have it very clear that at some point you're going back. That's
38:12
for now. Yes. For now. Yes. I mean uh you know I mean if I wasn't
38:18
completely alone here even I had someone else here or I mean my boyfriend is in
38:24
Greece so that's a very hard part. H
38:30
yeah that's a very hard part for both of us. So if we were together here it would be better but still I think that
38:38
Bolognia it's a very very nice city especially for students student life here it's very good and maybe also for
38:45
families I'm not sure about that I haven't searched a lot but it's a small city but quite lively
38:55
but for me I think no I also you know that the the stereotype of the
39:01
Italian way of dressing up that we have here I think it
39:07
doesn't exist. No, I think I'm sure that it doesn't exist. Bolognia is very special as a city.
39:15
Yeah. So that was another shock also and I mean you can adopt everywhere. I truly
39:21
believe that. But since I have other options for two, three years, I think it's very
39:27
nice. Okay. But but you would like to go back home at some point.
39:32
I feel I'm very very Greek. I confirm.
39:39
I'm also very very Greek without being Greek at all. Um I mean you touched the
39:45
last topic that I wanted to talk about in this first part of the episode and it's long distance relationships.
39:52
You are with your boyfriend seven years now. In seven years together and now it's has
39:58
been the first time that you were separated or you had No no no actually we were I mean we are
40:05
both from Athens but we were studying in I was studying in Athens he was studying in Volos.
40:11
So we were almost all of the part of the relationship apart. H last year we he
40:18
moved in Athens so we were staying together and after one year together I said okay
40:24
I can't do it anymore I'm going in Bolognia
40:30
it's hard it's hard it's it's very very hard it requires very good communication
40:36
h to have a lot of patience to program a lot
40:42
in advance calls and stuff and flying Yeah. Yeah. I fly back home for at least
40:51
once per month. I stay longer in during summer. I stay longer during uh
40:58
Christmas. Um actually I told you that I could stay
41:05
in Athens to do the PhD, but I mean I
41:10
know me, so I know that I will not be motivated at all. Okay.
41:15
So that's why I'm here. I mean it's also good for me to be in touch with other
41:20
colleagues. It's completely different actually. Uh so yes for the long distance
41:27
relationship you need a lot of patience.
41:32
I I get it. I mean I never had a very long time relationship distance like
41:39
this. But I imagine like it's not the same. You know, like your communication is based
41:44
on doing video calls. No. And you know, I mean, sometimes one
41:49
needs more attention, the other has something to do. H the the working hours
41:57
are different. And I don't know, this is very weird that despite the fact that we only have one
42:04
hour of time difference, it's it already makes it. It makes so much difference.
42:11
Yeah. I mean I mean it's normal because the hour that you would like to call home the other
42:17
it's doing sports or doing which is nonsense. I mean I'm doing
42:22
sports. Okay, you can call me but it's it's your but it's your routine. Yeah, it's your routine. It's like it's
42:29
your routine and then Yeah. And when you go back, I mean when I go back home because I
42:36
mostly it's it's me who I go mostly back.
42:43
You don't have a routine. Yeah, of course. You like you are on vacation but you have to work and you have half of your
42:50
stuff there, half of your stuff in Bologna and it's hard.
42:55
You don't feel home anywhere. That's Yeah, that's very bad. But I already
43:01
feel it. Yeah. I mean, it's normal. I mean, one of the ideas that we have with Katherine
43:06
and everything and why we move the way we move with furniture and stuff and so
43:11
on, it's to do that. It's to create a home that it comes with us in that
43:17
sense when you are in situations like Arasmos and so on or studying abroad like you that you know that it has a
43:23
kind of end in there and you're in a shared flat. Yeah. the space is it's not I mean it's
43:30
home but it's not 100% home and when you go back you are not part of the daily routine of anyone and everyone keeps
43:36
evolving you also you change through the time and it's normal but I didn't expect this at all I mean when
43:43
I come back to when I go back to Athens I I need for sure one two days to say
43:52
okay I'm home I'm yeah but it's not the
43:57
same. Yeah, I mean I talk about it a lot with with people especially those ones who went
44:03
back home after certain times and long periods abroad and the repatriation is normally as
44:10
as difficult difficult as the going abroad because you go back to a place that it's not the
44:16
same as as it is you live no like um your friends also evolved and I don't know
44:21
some of them have kids and everything changed because life evolves at the same time You are not the same person because
44:27
you had experiences that other people at home doesn't have.
44:32
It is it is a real second struggle. They're coming back. Don't tell me.
44:41
Don't tell. I don't know. I mean, we'll see. in your case you're I mean I think you feel that you're deeper
44:47
rooted to family and um friends and having a relationship also to relate you
44:54
much more to Greece than I had for example I mean eight years abroad already so I disconnect a lot and unfortunately but
45:01
it's the reality you also lose contact with people that were really close close friends and
45:07
life happens in general so it is like this maybe to close up this
45:13
uh first part um I would ask you if you have any tip advice that you would give
Expat Life Hack & Advice
45:20
to anyone who is planning to move to Italy or to Bolognia specifically to say okay
45:25
do this do okay generally I know that bureaucracy
45:31
here takes long I have
45:37
not so much experience but I had some experience when where I was trying to to
45:45
h change my residential h finally I didn't do it. Do you know
45:51
it? Because I was strangling so much and I said no I will not do it. H so
45:59
especially for Italy you should keep in mind that most of the people don't speak English especially in these public uh
46:09
offices. Offices yes. Uh, so if you know someone that speaks, Italian,
46:17
go with them. Go with them. Yes. Also, searching for an apartment, it's hard, especially in
46:22
Bologna. So, you have to think when students move out. So, basically, there
46:30
are two periods. Yes. When Arasmos students mostly move out, but it depends also on what kind of accommodation you
46:36
are looking for. And yeah, I don't know what else for the
46:41
scam. I don't know. But maybe it's for everywhere the scams. Yeah. Yeah. But it's good to know.
46:48
Yeah. So, check the link. Check the links. Check do video calls
46:53
with the owners. If you know a local, send them to see if the apartment exist.
46:59
And yeah, don't give money in advance if you're not 100% sure.
47:04
Nice. So, thanks for the tips and we'll jump to the next section.
47:10
Hey there everyone. I hope you're enjoying this episode so far. Remember that the best way to stay tuned with the
47:17
latest episodes of the podcast is by clicking on subscribing YouTube and in your favorite audio platform. For extra
47:23
content and information, follow, like, and comment on our social media and visit our website expatexpertodcast.com.
47:30
Thank you for supporting our podcast and let's continue with the episode. Nice. So, the second part is just for fun.
Cultural Deep Dive & Fun Comparisons
47:38
Let's say like this. It's a little bit just mini games that I prepare for that. I mean, funny enough, like you're the
47:44
last uh episode of the season and it started with an Italian living in Greece. So, we close it the other way
47:50
around. Let's say like this, like with the Greek living in Italy. Um, the first game that I prepared, it's
47:56
basically this or that. It's relatively easy. So basically comparing two things
48:02
between Italian and Greek lifestyle or things and then you need to choose one. Uh I think I know the response for the
48:08
first one but no not be biased. Fred espresso espresso
48:15
[Music] Fred espresso. I know I really miss I didn't I didn't remember
48:21
to say it before but I really miss espresso. It's the whole coffee culture actually.
48:28
It's interesting. Yeah, it's the culture. Let's go for a coffee and stay there from
48:33
early in the morning up to 5 afternoon. With one coffee.
48:38
Yeah. To discuss your week, your foods, I don't know, everything. Yeah. So,
48:45
nice. Um, Athens night life or oper
48:50
style of ence night like going out for me or like M I mean
48:59
you already touch it but yeah I like a though I can I I have to
49:06
choose something or I can say both. I will say both maintain alcohol
49:13
and you don't drink at all. Yes, exactly. That's awesome. Um
49:20
the sunny lifestyle of Greece uh beach side coast
49:27
or Bolognia portichi let's say like this
49:33
sunny sunny weather seaside I'm this
49:38
kind of person I mean I like rainy days but once every three months
49:45
I study rainfall So, I like rain, but yeah, this fog is is too much for me.
49:51
But yeah, still I think Athens has a very good climate.
49:57
Mhm. Generally, Greek music or Italian music.
50:02
I like old Italian music, like very romantic stuff. Yeah. But still,
50:10
I'm a bazooka. Not the the hardcore bazooka but you
50:17
know I I love paneer. Nice.
50:22
So we are three out of 31. Yes. How's the scale going? G.
50:31
I was going to ask you but running in Athens or running in Bologna? Running in Bologna.
50:37
Yeah. You you thought of that. Yeah. I mean eventually because the streets stayed in Athens and Pman and everything it's
50:45
different. It's different and also I mean uh I have joined also a running club in Athens but
50:52
it was in the center of Athens and it was very nice running through you know
50:58
Yeah. National Garden. It's majestic. Yeah. But I'm quite out of the city center so in
51:06
order to get there I need one hour. So here I just walk 15 minutes and I'm I'm
51:14
there. So the running in Bologna because also Bolognia it's quite flat so it's very easy to run.
51:19
Yeah. And also under the port it's if you go to San Luke no even walking is hard
51:26
and also if you go down the port it's very nice. Cool.
51:32
Holidays in Greece or holidays in Italy? summer
51:38
holidays in Greece and winter in Italy, I think. Yeah. I mean, also
51:46
Greece has very nice places. Uh I mean, also Italy has nice places for for the
51:52
summer, but I love summer in Greece. So, yeah, the the opportunity that you we
51:58
have here with the trains, we get the train and go to I don't know to Trento
52:04
to to the mountains here. It's Mhm. It's nice. Nice.
52:11
You don't drink much, but um I don't drink apparel sprits or
52:17
raki h I cannot drink so much raky because it's
52:24
straight alcohol. Yes. Before I moved here, I didn't really enjoy appperol, but now I I I like it.
52:31
So, apperol. Okay. Nice. Maybe the last one. Slaki or Rau?
52:41
I love Rahu. I I really like it, but
52:47
you know, it's untouchable. Yeah, it's Yeah.
52:54
Nice. Cool. Um yeah, just checking a little bit the time and knowing that we are
Wrap-up
53:00
like a little bit already on the hour, let's say like this, I would ask you
53:06
um if you have any anything else that you want to explain, if you have any
53:12
anything that it's left to say, let's say like this before I ask you for explaining maybe a funny story that you
53:19
had here in Bolognia, something uh anything to explain?
53:26
like what do you want? I mean anything in general that you say okay this is a nice way of closing the
53:32
episode. Okay. Okay. Okay. I mean I'm not an expert an expert expert
53:39
and it's my first time abroad. It's my first time living alone but still I
53:45
think in order to enjoy your staying in you're staying abroad it's very
53:50
important to connect with locals which I haven't done.
53:56
H I mean to to experience the the pure culture to Yeah. H so yes try to connect
54:05
with people try to to do anything new and yeah.
54:13
Mhm. Nice. I mean integrate at the end it's a matter of integration a little
54:18
bit. Cool. Um, thank you so much for for
54:23
accepting the invitation and talking a bit about your life. Uh, thank you. Um, it's very nice. Was very nice being
54:31
able to close the the season in person and with someone that I know which is
54:36
not talking with random people. So, I I really appreciate it. So, you were you were very bored.
54:43
No, no, no. I I mean I discovered things that I don't know. And that's also nice that because I interview people that are
54:50
friends and then suddenly oh okay I didn't know about that this that. So it's also an opportunity to meeting
54:56
people a little bit deeper. So I really appreciate that. Um as always for the audience um just
55:03
don't forget to subscribe and check the channels and like you know all the all the things of social media giving likes
55:10
and so on. Uh how do they do where's the like? Um it's
55:15
here below I think subscription depends on if they are listening or watching the video. So
55:22
but yeah just give us some love. It really supports and and helps with the
55:28
with the production and and gives us some love because it's
55:34
exactly um until the next season which is
55:39
already cooking up. Um, so you will be there will be a season 3. Let's say a
55:45
little bit of a the first time you announce it. Uh, yes. I think so. Big announcement.
55:51
Let's say like this. Uh, already recording. Um, until the next episode, first
55:56
episode of season 3. Uh, keep exploring, stay curious. It's
56:02
[Applause] [Music]