After returning from my trip to Italy last year the urge to go back grew stronger. This always happens when I return home, however this time it was different. I don’t know if it was because I had turned 40 and something had really shifted within me, but I really felt the need to make this happen for a little longer than just a holiday.  I love this quote from the book The Alchemist by Paul Coelho (a very special gift I received from a very special person):

I can honestly say that’ is exactly what happened to me during this whole process. I always knew I could get a study visa but I didn’t want to study something that I wasn’t passionate about. It’s funny how things can be staring you in the face but perhaps the timing wasn’t right, or you were looking in the wrong places. It was right under my nose the whole time – the courses at The Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento (where I am now a student) were always there, and I found that that they offered subjects that I had a keen interest in. What more could I ask for? A school in the town that I dreamed about living in!

It’s been 2 weeks since I made the big move to Sorrento and it still feels like I’m on holidays, as opposed to a student who will be living here for a year. I must say I found it hard leaving home and more so family and friends (who I love so dearly), but that still wasn’t enough to deter me from pursuing my dream. I’ve always wanted to live abroad and after spending so much time here over the last few years, it was a no brainer that this is the sort of lifestyle I wanted to experience.  Don’t get me wrong, working as Project Manager in the Finance Industry allowed me to grow in a professional manner, make some wonderful friends and provide me financial stability but I still felt there was more I wanted to do with my life outside of that world.

My close friends and family know how persistent and passionate I can be when I set my mind to something. This is easily the most challenging decision I’ve had to make in my life and it wasn’t something that just happened overnight. The transition hasn’t been easy, however I knew by giving up certain things that I would gain so much more. Yes, I am the oldest girl in my classes by far (almost double everyone else’s age), yes I’m scared shitless of alot of things and unknowns, yes I have to train my brain to study again and hell yes, I feel like so grateful and blessed that I have this opportunity and I intend to make the most of every moment! Below are some photos I took of Sorrento (including the one above) in my first photography class with my new Sony A6000 . Stay tuned for more of my Italian adventures and travel tips by subscribing to my blog!

Driveway up to the Sant’Anna Institute!

San Francesco Cloisters

Essential Italian ingredients

Afternoon siesta

Amazing sunsets

Endless views near Bar Villa Comunale