English Moving to another country is never a simple decision. Daily life shifts, familiar routines fall away, and each day brings new challenges. Lisa La Valle, an American author and intercultural trainer from Southern California, decided to write a new chapter of her life in Brescia, a city in northern Italy that both tested and welcomed her. Today, she proudly calls it home.
Moving From California To Northern Italy
After living in different countries, including Greece, Spain, the UK, and New York, and spending four years in Paris, Lisa had long known she wanted to eventually settle in Italy, the country her grandparents left in the 1920s.
“As an Italian-American dual citizen, Italy always felt like home in my heart. So, when I was offered a teaching job at an international school in Brescia two and a half years ago, I decided to take a chance.”
Many of us, at some point, have imagined a different life somewhere else, believing that a move will lead to deeper fulfillment or a more “authentic” version of ourselves. Lisa’s journey was shaped by that same kind of longing. Like some Europeans dream of America, she had long dreamed of Italy.
But dreams don’t always match reality. Every city has its pros and cons, and the process of settling somewhere new is rarely smooth. “The myths are strong” Lisa says, “and they create a gravitational pull we’re drawn to.”
Integrating In Brescia As An Expat
For many expats, one of the biggest concerns when relocating is how easily they’ll integrate into a new community. Lisa admits that settling in Brescia wasn’t seamless, but with time and persistence, she’s found her place.
“It’s a city that’s not as open to foreigners as others, like Milan or Florence, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to make friends here. It just requires a little more patience. Now I really feel welcomed and comforted by the warmth of the people” she says.
Lisa believes her ability to adapt has been a key factor in her successful transition.
“I’ve always been good at adjusting to new environments. I think it’s partly because of my experience as an expat career coach and intercultural trainer, but it’s also just part of my personality.”
Of course, not everything has been easy. She laughs when mentioning a common frustration: “Shops always seem to be closed just when I’m free!”
Language, understandably, is another major concern for many expats. Will basic skills be enough? Will I be able to build relationships, navigate medical appointments, or manage the bureaucracy? These are the kinds of questions many newcomers face. But often, the real challenge lies less in the language itself and more in the mindset we bring.
Lisa is a great example of this. Despite only speaking Italian at a basic A2 level, she’s never seen the language as a true obstacle.
“I’m not fluent, but it doesn’t bother me. I think some people worry about it more than I do. I’m A2 level and I accept that while I continue my lessons. In the end, courtesy and a smile go a long way.”
That approach has served her well in day-to-day life and even with trickier tasks like dealing with local bureaucracy. Being a dual citizen has helped her avoid some of the more complex hurdles non-EU expats face, but that doesn’t mean it’s all been straightforward:
“I’ve had some legal issues, but luckily, most people speak English, and I speak enough Italian to get the job done. Worse case scenario an other person comes in to help translate or I use my translator app. Having said all this, these situations still create anxiety for me. Not a lot, but it’s a fact.”
Quality Of Life In Brescia
Contrary to what some might think, finding an apartment was relatively easy: “For my first place, I was fortunate to know the teacher living there, and the second time, I found one through a friend.”
Brescia has the advantage of being a compact, well-connected city, perfectly sized for daily life. “I decided not to have a car; it’s simply a personal lifestyle choice at the moment”.
She also describes the Italian healthcare system as “quite good once you understand how to navigate it.”
Regarding the cost of living, Lisa compares Brescia to her past experiences:
“It’s more expensive to eat out than I expected, but compared to Paris or New York, it’s very cost-effective. I’m semi-retired now, so my quality of life here is much better than it would be back in the States.”
Of course, there are always trade-offs. Being away from family and friends can be difficult, but Lisa admits that the hectic pace of life in the US didn’t leave much time for socializing. The slower pace of life in Italy, however, has provided an unexpected bonus: it created a more quality time with those relationships.
Writing ‘101 Culture Hacks’
Lisa is also the author of the book 101 Culture Hacks: For Americans Abroad (and Other Digital Nomads) to Thrive Globally, One Unwritten Rule at a Time, which offers practical advice for navigating cultural differences.
As an intercultural trainer with a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology, she recognized the need for a straightforward resource to help people understand the subtle cultural differences that can often lead to confusion. “It’s about recognizing the invisible rules that influence behavior and often contribute to culture shock,” she explains.
When asked about the top three cultural hacks from her book, Lisa highlights hierarchy, power distance, and the balance between individualism and collectivism as key factors. “These are the fundamental forces driving many cultural behaviors and are central to how decisions are made,” she adds.
One Piece of Advice for Anyone Dreaming of Life in Brescia
“It’s not you, it’s the city, meaning: If you’re finding it hard to break into social circles, it’s the nature of this city to be a little roped off to foreigners. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It just takes a little more effort because expats are less visible than a more university oriented town like Florence or an international city like Milan. But that’s true anywhere. You have to remember that Brescia is a tertiary city like anywhere else that doesn’t have a lot of expats, but if you are here long enough and have the patience, you will find your tribe.”
Final Thoughts
Lisa’s story highlights what many expats eventually discover: moving abroad can be exciting, but also demanding. It requires learning how things work, managing expectations, and adapting to a different social landscape.
There’s no magic formula for feeling at home in a new country. But Lisa’s experience shows that with patience, adaptability, and curiosity, it’s not only possible, but also deeply rewarding.
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