Laura Buonanno is based in Louisville, Kentucky and works for us on a freelance basis.
We met her when she booked a consultation with us, but she ended up impressing us so much we decided we had to have her on our team.
Laura: My love affair with Italy began over 10 years ago, with a family trip to visit relatives in Tuscany when I was 13. I've wanted to live in Italy ever since then, and I knew I had certain advantages other foreigners did not that could push me along (dual citizenship, relatives in Italy, etc.) But I credit how far I've gotten since then to setting small goals along the way in my quest to move to the Bel Paese, always being proactive, believing in myself and never giving up on my dream.
If you truly believe in something, and give it your "all", you will find a way to your dreams. Here's how I found the fastrack to La Bella Vita:
My first goal was convincing my parents that I just had to return to Italy. I did. At age 14, I travelled alone. Although I didn't speak Italian, staying with my grandmother for the entire summer didn't phase me at all.
My next goal was to return to Italy after I finished highschool. I knew travelling before then wouldn't be feasibile. It became obvious to my parents and those around me that this wasn't just a passing feeling. By my senior year in highschool, I started looking for universities that offered communication studies and Italian. Bellarmine University fit all my requirements except one: they didn't offer Italian classes. But that didn't stop me. I took Italian classes at University of Louisville and had the credits transferred to Bellarmine. I spent my Junior year in Urbino. I was the first student ever at Bellarmine to complete a year abroad in Italy.
Shortly after graduating that next year, I started working in marketing. But I still dreamed of going back to Italy, though I wasn't sure how. I sent out my resume to various Italian American companies in the hope of finding a position in Italy, but was unsuccesful. I came across How to Italy and booked a consultation immediately. Emma and Mario created a strategy plan for my move to Italy. For the first time, I realised that I really could turn my Italy dream into reality. Shortly after I set up a savings account for my move abroad.
I kept in touch with Emma and Mario and a month after the consultation they asked if I'd be interested in marketing their upcoming book, Starting a Business in Italy, on a freelance basis. I jumped at the chance, not knowing where it would lead.
They gave me a choice of a set payment or an inclusive 10 day trip to Sardinia. I chose the latter and in April 2007, I fell in love with the island and the philosophy of How to Italy.
I am now planning my move to Sardinia in summer of 2008. If you want to chart my progress, feel free to check out my blog: www.animaitaliana.wordpress.com
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