Wanting to leave the USA, looking for advice

[azoria]

Insofar as the Italian connection goes I would divide it into two parts:

Going to school in Italy as an foreign exchange student
Or
Claiming Italian heritage (and then attending school there)

The exchange student visa issue is best investigated through academic sources. Typically through connections at your current institution, you initiate a transfer through an international student foreign exchange program. You would need to investigate your school resources for this.

Interestingly and mindbogglingly, Italian immigration policy does not seem to be nationally cohesive on the topic of descendant re-immigration. Many (most) European countries have pretty cut-and-dried outlines for the repatriation of immigrant descendants. Not so Italy, it seems. I have been googling madly. It has been my understanding up till now, that anyone who could prove at least Italian grandparentage was automatically guaranteed a free pass to Italian residency and citizenship (and all the rights therein). However in my googling I have not been able to substantiate this.

Citizenship Claims by Italian Descendants
http://www.imiscoe.org/publications/...licymaking.pdf

Lotta crap to dig through there, for sure. Considering that I have not been able to come up with any kind of concrete descendant re-immigration policy for Italy, my advice would be for you to visit an Italian embassy in America to see if they can clarify the standard for you.

(P.S. If you don't like the corruption in America, I have a feeling Italy is going to blow your mind......)

[bale002]

azoria
(P.S. If you don't like the corruption in America, I have a feeling Italy is going to blow your mind......)

I lived in Italy when the corruption that had been festering over a 40 year period exploded into public view.

It was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life, but I recovered and I learned a lot about human nature, among other things.

I would venture to say that, at your age, you want to be involved in politics and exposed to corruption, it is the real stuff of human life, it is who we really are.

What better teacher than Italy to help you attach reality to your studies?

Go for the gusto!

[enigmaingr]

Originally Posted by Bomber929

I believe my great grandma was the one that was born in italy, just my family stayed with Italians until my dad decided not to. so that might be an option, didn't think of that. But like a later poster said, it might cost all my saving just for the possibility of doing it




I actually have been seriously considering this idea for the past couple months. My father was in the air force and he's lived in many countries including Germany, Japan, France and several other countries, so i thought that this might be a very good option

and as you you mentioned later in your post, saying if im not locked into Italy. Italy would just be my "dream" place, i would be willing to go anywhere in Europe as its relatively close to all the countries in europe. So if there would be any country that might be "easier", that might be a good option.

would England or any of those type countries be easier do ya think? (im guessing their all about the same though)


So far all your posts have been helpful. I've researched Bunac a lil, looks like that might be an idea also. thanks again

If you just want to be in Europe, you have options with the US government. Almost all US military bases overseas have US civilian personnel working there. The easiest places are Germany, and fortunately for you, Italy, as those two countries host the bulk of the US military stationed in Europe.

Heck, join the US military! If you join the Army, they can guarantee you an initial 2-year assignment to Europe. You'll almost assuredly end up in Germany but if you volunteer for Airborne training, you could be stationed in Vicenza, Italy.

I get the impression from your interests that you might be a bit disappointed in a study abroad experience. Yes, you'll get to see the country and interact with the locals but you'll only be exposed to a small slice of local culture.

Think about what foreign students studying here in the States experience. Do you think they come away experiencing what life is truly like for the average Joe American? How many people have they interacted with that are unemployed? With just a high school education? Work at McDonalds?

In essence, they are exposed to the best of what the States offer, which is fine but there is a whole other side to explore. For someone interested in possible emigration, a first impression of this sort may lead to terrible disappointment when you find out that only a relative few people live the life of your university colleagues.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by enigmaingr

I get the impression from your interests that you might be a bit disappointed in a study abroad experience. Yes, you'll get to see the country and interact with the locals but you'll only be exposed to a small slice of local culture ...

... For someone interested in possible emigration, a first impression of this sort may lead to terrible disappointment when you find out that only a relative few people live the life of your university colleagues.

Just wait till you have to stand in line in Italy to pay taxes and buy tax stamps!

[Thewalkindude]

Come to Sweden! The education is 100% free (paid for by taxes...) even for a foreigner such as yourself. The cost of living might be slightly higher than in comparable western European countries, but I think the higher cost of living is more than offset by the complete lack of tuition fees.

In addition to this everyone knows at least some English, so I seriously doubt you'd feel alienated. Oh, and did I tell you about the blonde women?

If you're able to put up with the terrible weather, you might want to consider going to Scandinavia...

[thrillobyte]

You mention corruption for instance and I don't think it's any better in Europe.

But at least the people in Europe get out and march, unlike Americans who sit on their brains all day playing video games, or watching TV, or posting useless opinions on Internet forums!

[dougie86]

Originally Posted by Bomber929

so essentially my questions would be:
1) Would it even be possible for me to go over to Europe for schooling?
2) Seeing how i only know English, would i be able to do the just throw myself in there approach, or would it be better to do a Rosetta stone program or something?
3) What countries would be the best to do something along these lines?
4) and just any advice would be greatly appreciated, even if its just a "it would be dumb to even think of this" type comment would at least help me convince myself not to.

Many good advice here. However I agree with the suggestion of completing your studies at home until you save up more.
Also, custom & Immigration officers in major airports regularly turn back visitors if they do not have sufficient fund to last them the period of their stay;
unless their employers are sponsoring them and there is a job contract.

One still needs sufficient fund to cover living expenses, even if tuition fees are waived, say in Norway and Sweden.
Study in Norway/Tuition/Scholarships/Tuition fees/
Having a full-time or part-time job may help.
Hotel Jobs In Norway - JOBzing

If you like history, have you read 'The ascent of money' by Harvard professor Niall Ferguson. Interesting stuff.
The Ascent of Money - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[mtta]

Have you considered Australia? They have the best English-speaking economy. Their immigration system is accessible. It seems like a nice place. Does anyone know more about an American immigrating and getting a job in Australia?