Marina Gagliardi's First Day

My name is Marina Gagliardi.

INTERVIEWED BY Gabriella Neal

"It’s just a different feeling to be a tourist and knowing that you are going for a few days or a few weeks and then versus actually moving to the country with the expectation of being there for a couple of years at least."

MARINA GAGLIARDI'S FIRST DAY

TRANSCRIPT

My name is Marina. I lived in Bari. I do not remember the exact date, but I believe it was sometime in September of 2008.

While I was on the plane I was just… thinking about what to expect and I wasn’t really sure what was in the cards for me at that point. I only knew that I was coming for a TA-ship and that I was gonna be a student for two years and then after that I had no idea.

I was just focused on trying to find my way around the airport and going through immigration. I also remember it was probably in the evening….it was the first glimpse that I had of the city
It’s just a different feeling to be a tourist and knowing that you are going for a few days or a few weeks and then versus actually moving to the country with the expectation of being there for a couple of years at least.

But uh… [laughs] just in case I had a Plan B [laughs]. I don’t know if I’m enjoying it much more than Italy, but I’m happy here and… Seattle in particular is a special place for me because I met my husband here… and I have a full-time job now… and everything seems to be where it’s supposed to be at this point. So, I’m happy.

SHARE THIS STORY