More than just a year ahead, a dream

Let me introduce myself. I am Ariane, a French-Canadian from Quebec, Canada, with Italian roots. I’m a fourth-generation Italian, but I wasn’t raised in the Italian tradition.

My first teenage love was Italian, and that sparked my curiosity about the culture. But life took its course—studies, relationships, children—and it wasn’t until years later that I finally set foot in the homeland of my great-grandparents.

When I first tried speaking Italian, it was a total failure. That’s until I enrolled in a course in Montreal, preparing for a seven-month stay in 2022. That turned out to be much more than a linguistic experience; it was the journey of a lifetime. Upon arriving in the Neapolitan region in May 2022, I felt an inexplicable connection, and I finally felt at home. The sight of Vesuvius, that force of nature towering over the Gulf of Naples, made me feel as though I had lived here in another life. I even joke that I have proof: the archaeological site of Villa Arianna!

Throughout my travels I explored many Italian provinces, but only one place kept calling me back: Castellammare di Stabia. However, it wasn’t until two more trips later that I discovered IFA, and the idea of studying in Italy took root. I stumbled upon IFA’s website by chance, and just the thought of studying in Naples delighted me. And though I could have explored other regions, my heart led me back to Naples every time. When I love, I love.

Naples—chaotic, vibrant, full of contrasts. A city with a strong character, rich culture, and legendary cuisine. Its streets are lively, sometimes unruly, but brimming with energy. There’s a unique, almost raw energy that can be unsettling but is undeniably captivating. Authentic, noisy, endearing—this city leaves no one indifferent. Either you love it, or you find it too intense. It is unlike any other city in Italy!

But if Naples is intense and vibrant, its surrounding region offers a striking contrast of landscapes—sea, mountains, and historical wonders. Castellammare and many other southern cities balance a fascinating chaos and an almost meditative serenity. On one side, there’s raw energy; on the other, suspended moments. This duality is what makes southern cities unique. You can go from an exhilarating rush to a deep calm within moments. It’s their charm: they are alive, unpredictable, and yet offer moments of pure sweetness.

Places like Castellammare and Sorrento retain a certain southern agitation but with more landmarks and stability. There’s a clearer balance between movement and calm, between daily life and moments of contemplation facing the sea or at the foot of the mountains. And I feel like I am all of this—this need to embrace the whirlwind and the possibility to quickly get away to contemplate the Vesuvius, the breathtaking view from the top of Monte Faito, the Gulf of Naples, and the Gulf of Salerno.

In all of this, my six-week stay in May 2024, studying Italian with IFA, was an important step, but I already had a bigger plan in mind. I was laying the foundation for something more permanent, especially in Castellammare. My vision for retirement was taking shape, and I needed to reconnect to my roots. What could be more beautiful than ending one chapter and beginning another in a country I love, a country that loves me back?

January 2025—here I am, finally settled in Castellammare, retired and happier than ever. My dream is taking shape. I am surrounded by wonderful friends and supported by IFA, who help me navigate the complexities of residency permits and housing (not an easy task!). To top it off, I lost two suitcases upon arrival—I won’t even tell you how many phone calls I had to make, but after 14 days, they were finally recovered. The whole ordeal felt straight out of Hergé’s The Twelve Tasks of Asterix!

The constant effervescence here, the fascinating disorder where everyone adapts instinctively, creates a sense of raw freedom. There’s a spontaneity that can be disorienting, but it’s also incredibly invigorating. And I, who have never been the most structured, don’t feel lost in these mazes. This world suits me. But for those who struggle with stress, I’d recommend planning and organizing your stay better. As for me, I wouldn’t change a thing.

People ask me what my plans are for my Italian life. Besides becoming trilingual and fully embracing la dolce vita, I’m simply savoring every moment and letting myself go with the flow. There will always be projects, but for now, I am living the first months of retirement after 37 years of hard work. 

I am grateful for what I have and what is yet to come. To my children and my family—thank you for supporting this sweet madness of mine, for allowing me to leave everything behind simply to be.