Before I could start my journey, I needed to take some preparations. The application was mostly paperwork, an english exam and a motivation letter. They told me that it should be a bit more than “My grandma lives there and I like Italian food”. Like e.g. if there is a special course offer only existing there. So I started to read about the University in Bologna and was quite amazed. Not only it is the oldest in Europe, but also the first one, who allowed women to study from the start. And in the course unit catalog I found courses who are much more specific than the courses at home. So it was quite easy to write that letter.

After applying I didn’t had to wait too long. I got a positive answer, but still so much time to go! Now I needed to think about what to do with my job, my flat, which courses I have to take, what insurances I need to take and a lot of other paperwork. And of course I need a place to stay, flights, and to find out how to make some extra money during my time. I was lucky to know about the approval nearly a year in advance, so I was able to save some money and even with a lot of stress on work, I could manage to take care of all the other questions I had.

It is really a good thing to be over 30 and having a job. Even it is only part-time, I was able to save some money for the journey. In my 20s I always had trouble keeping my money together, because I went out much more and buy a lot of useless stuff, just because it looked interesting. I also started to sublet my living room, so I soon had some money on the side. Even I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for the prices for accommodation in Bologna…

The most stressing problem was actually finding a flat for a decent price. Or a room. Or a shared room. My requirements dropped very fast. Now I am in an AirBnB, sharing a room with a guy, who I barely see. Could be worse. But it needed some days till we actually told us our names, because when we see each other, we don’t really talk. Mostly it is in the morning after just waking up. We both tend to get out of bed, take a shower, dress and go. The other guy who is renting the place I see more often, but there is not much more talking either. It’s like we don’t know what to say to each other.

What I don’t really like on my living situation is that the landlord (some student who somehow has two flats, from which he rent some beds over AirBnB) already rented my bed to someone else because of a fair in march. For now I am fine with the place, but probably I should think about finding a different place.

My living room in Berlin I sublet to two young women. One was already there since September, the other one arrived after my departure. In Berlin it is quite easy to find someone who needs a place. I just hope there won’t be any problems while I am away. Right now I pay more for a shared room than the girls for each room, and they don’t have to share. I miss my privacy. I am used of sleeping in Hostels and all that, but having no room just for myself for four months… that is a quite new experience. And sometimes I am like “Oh, I am too old for that shit.”

Another problem I had was the health insurance. Since I stopped working, my health insurance isn’t payed from my employer anymore and because I won’t searching a job in Germany the Agency for Work won’t cover it either. Fair enough. I slowly got jealous for students under 25, because they’re able to stay in the family health insurance for free, as long they don’t earn too much own money. As long as I stay registered in Germany (which I want, to keep my flat) I need health insurance and to continue it is better than an interrupted one. The costs though, are half of my actual rent every month. I was thinking to marry someone just to get into the family health insurance… okay, not seriously, but still..

Another big issue was of course the language, but about that, I’ll tell you the next time!