It’s me again, Erika!

I’ve been living in Witten, Germany for four months now. Here, the nice weather is finally starting to arrive, and the days are getting warmer—an unexpected surprise, so far up north.
The “honeymoon phase” has now passed, giving way to the reality of dealing with many cultural differences. It’s a real challenge, but also an experience that shapes you deeply and makes you question many things you once took for granted. Living in a new country truly opens your mind—I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s true.

So many ways of speaking, acting, living, that were totally normal back home, simply don’t exist here. Sometimes, it feels a bit disorienting, and I do get homesick.
And yet, despite everything, it’s a valuable experience, and I’m glad I took it on. The months are flying by, and this emotional rollercoaster doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. But I still have a lot of time ahead of me, and I hope to keep learning more and more—and maybe even keep challenging myself further.

Through all this, I’ve been lucky to meet so many people, both international and Italian, especially through the trainings. A few weeks ago, I organized a weekend trip to Berlin with some of them, and I even celebrated my birthday there! We ate so much (maybe a bit too much!).
Meanwhile, my personal mission continues: to find the best pizza in Germany. Will I succeed? Wish me luck.