Isabella’s journey: embracing my heritage with Italianforawhile

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella Bifolchi, I’m 23 years old, and I’m from Toronto, Canada. Growing up in a close-knit Italian-Canadian family, my heritage has always been a major part of my identity. My grandparents immigrated from Italy to Canada when they were young, and they carried their language, traditions, and love of Italian cuisine into our family. This meant that I grew up with Sunday pasta dinners, bits of Italian phrases, and big family gatherings. It shaped my childhood, and I loved it. But as much as I enjoyed these traditions, I started to feel a desire to experience Italy for myself—to go beyond my family’s memories and explore it on my own terms.

Soon enough, I realized that this experience needed to be more than a vacation. I wanted the chance to live in Italy, to truly feel the culture and see what everyday life is like in an Italian community. I wanted to develop my own connection to my heritage, meet new people, and gain some independence by adapting to a lifestyle so different from my own. I imagined myself in a small town where I could soak up the language, get to know the local rhythms, and really feel part of Italian life.

Once I decided to make this dream a reality, I began researching Italian study-abroad programs, looking for one that would help me experience Italy beyond the typical tourist sites. That’s when I discovered Italianforawhile. Right away, I was drawn to the idea of a program focused on creating meaningful experiences for people interested in exploring Italy in a deeper way. It felt like exactly what I was looking for.

After reaching out, I was introduced to Annetta, one of Italianforawhile’s admissions consultants. She played a key role in helping me plan this journey. We started with emails, and soon we were having video calls to discuss my vision in detail. 

Annetta took time to understand what I wanted out of the experience. I told her that I dreamed of being in a small town with warm weather, colorful buildings, and a sense of community—a place where I could feel truly connected to the local life—and she suggested Sestri Levante, a small beach town on the Ligurian coast. One look at the photos, and I knew it was the perfect place for me. Sestri Levante had that classic Italian charm I had been picturing, from its lively streets to the beautiful coast. It looked like a place where I could fully immerse myself and live a slower, more intentional way of life. I could already picture myself strolling by the sea, practicing my Italian, and settling into the rhythms of a new culture.

With the planning finalized and the details in place, I felt a mix of excitement and calm. Knowing that every aspect of the program had been carefully crafted to match what I was hoping for gave me confidence in my choice. My upcoming journey with Italianforawhile felt like everything I was hoping for—a chance to reconnect with my heritage, learn in a new environment, and gain a fresh perspective on my roots and myself!