Rome-Miami one way. The leap to a new life

I arrived in Miami 5 years and a month ago, from Rome. I was 40 and had a packed suitcase for which I had paid a hefty premium. A boyfriend who I had seen four times in three and a half years was waiting for me at my destination.

Italian too, he had moved before me. Eight months after we met.

The six months prior to my departure had been quite depressing. I had put my house up for sale with the prospect that sooner or later I would leave, but I had no date in mind. Then it all happened very quickly: a very low purchase offer, the non-renewal of my collaboration contract, and finally the divorce decree from my first marriage.

With my boyfriend during our long skype conversations we were wondering what could be the fastest way to get back to living together. As in the six months spent in Rome. I had been looking for information on how to pursue my career as a psychotherapist in America. Or even just as a School Psychologist, since I did both, but got no response from the American Association. On the other hand, if the two friends-of-friends who already lived in the US had been a little more generous with information, I would have known that I should have contacted the Florida board. And maybe they would have told me that there were Masters. And that I should have taken a certification.

But things (don't) always happen for some reason.

Eventually with the economic crisis starting to bite we realized that the F1 visa was what it did for me. He was a chef, we thought he could help me find a job in the tourism field - in Miami, you'll understand! We submitted the application to the College, a month later I had a visa.

Duration: 5 years.

My F1 visa expired last December 13th. What happened in the meantime? First of all a daughter, who is 4 years old, a new marriage, this time happy, the conquest of the American residence and nine months later a job in a completely different field, a promotion, and a house of ownership.

"Do you think that time in America is normal?", Asked the internet technician, a Cuban boy, as soon as I arrived in the city. "Time goes twice as fast here". And it's very true.

I am happy in this warm and welcoming city. Americubana, chaotic like Rome. With the sea just a stone's throw away but with buses that never pass. Here in the USA I have many Italian friends, special people who, like us, have made the big leap. We all have different stories but we all see the future from here. And we visit each other. A pretext also to know other realities. Nostalgia sometimes makes itself felt. Between the pregnancy and the documents not yet in order, I went back to visit my family only once. But social media and technology allow me to always have everyone close.

Almost all of them: some have disappeared, some have loosened relationships, others have become my biggest supporters of the new life I lead here and which they read through my blog.

If you are planning to vacation in Miami, or if someone is thinking about expatriating and looking for advice, find me on www.erolucy.com