FINDING YOUR PLACE ABROAD: SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN ITALY

Studying abroad is often described as the adventure of a lifetime. And while it certainly can be, it’s not the whole story. For many international students, especially those arriving in Italy, the experience is also one of disorientation, loneliness, and the deep question: Where do I belong?

I understand this from both sides. I’m Italian, but I spent my entire twenties studying, living, and working abroad. I know what it feels like to start again in a new city, to speak in another language, to sit in a classroom where everyone seems to “get it” faster than you, and to wonder whether you’ll ever really feel at home.

As a psychologist, I now work with expats here in Italy, including many international students. Together, we explore not just the challenges of adapting, but also the possibilities for growth, resilience, and self-discovery.

The Hidden Side of Student Life Abroad

For international students, moving to Italy is often full of contrasts. There’s excitement in discovering new cities, food, and culture—and at the same time, there can be isolation, culture shock, and the ongoing effort of navigating everything in a second language.

Students often tell me about missing their families, about the pressure to succeed academically while trying to build a new social circle, or about feeling “caught between worlds”—not fully at home in Italy, yet no longer the same person they were back home. These experiences are not signs of failure. They are part of the very real emotional journey of studying abroad.

How Therapy Can Help

In our work together, I draw from Gestalt therapy and relational approaches. This means we focus not only on your story, but also on how your experience shows up in the present moment—your emotions, your thoughts, and the ways your body responds when you talk about life abroad.

Through our conversations, we bring awareness to these experiences so that new choices and perspectives can emerge. From a relational perspective, therapy itself becomes a supportive connection: a place where you don’t need to explain or perform, where your feelings are received with empathy. This relationship can be especially meaningful for international students who often feel unseen or misunderstood in their new environment.

Working Together in Italy

Therapy in English can be especially helpful when living abroad. Being able to express yourself fully in a language that is familiar to you often brings relief—you don’t have to translate your feelings or search for words. And because I have lived abroad for so long myself, I bring both professional knowledge and lived understanding to the expat student experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Italian to go to therapy in Italy?

Not at all. Many therapists in Italy, myself included, offer therapy in English. This can make a huge difference for international students, since it allows you to share your thoughts and feelings without language barriers.

How can therapy help with homesickness and culture shock?

Therapy provides a safe space to process the emotional impact of living abroad. By exploring your feelings with support, you can find new ways of coping with homesickness, adjusting to cultural differences, and building a stronger sense of belonging.

Is it normal to struggle even if I chose to study abroad?

Yes. Choosing to study abroad doesn’t mean it will always feel easy or joyful. It’s common to feel conflicted—to both love the adventure and miss home deeply. Therapy can help you hold both of these truths without feeling like you are failing.

What if I only plan to stay in Italy for a short time?

Even short-term therapy can be valuable. The skills and insights you develop in our sessions will stay with you, no matter where you move next. Some students even decide to keep our sessions going online when they move away from Italy.

A Final Thought

Being a student expat is a profound experience—it can be disorienting, but also deeply transformative. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. With support, the challenges you face can also become stepping stones toward growth, self-awareness, and a fuller sense of belonging.

If you are an international student in Italy and would like to explore how therapy could support you, book an intro call, I would be honored to walk alongside you.