Location independent: from law to Italy
in Career Development
Michelle Fabio is a native of the Anthracite Coal Region in central Pennsylvania and moved to her ancestors’ medieval hilltop village in Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, in 2003.
There she resides with her Italian husband Paolo, dogs Luna and Stella, goat Pasqualina and her kid Pinta. Michelle is an attorney-turned-freelance writer, and her portfolio can be found at MichelleFabio.com; she writes about pursuing simplicity in southern Italy at Bleeding Espresso and about raising kids at Goat Berries.
Michelle is also one of the three regular hosts on the weekly Eye on Italy podcast about current news and events happening in Italy and co-host ofWorld Nutella Day. You can find Michelle on Twitter @michellefabio and @goat_berries.
Why did you choose to move to a small village in Italy?
In the summer of 2002, I found myself in a kind of perfect storm of events for moving abroad; I had come here to my ancestors’ town on vacation, on a break from a job in the States that would be ending the following fall (2003).
In a year’s time, I would be deciding whether to entrench myself into a full-fledged legal career or not, and after being in this village for a few days, my heart told me that I needed to stay here for a longer period of time and really experience the culture. My first love had always been writing, and I figured that year would give me the perfect opportunity to try to whip up a freelance writing career as I took a break from the legal grind. And here I am, nearly eight years later, freelance writing from my ancestors’ medieval hilltop village in southern Italy.
Michelle's medieval town: Badolato
P.S. Gotta love the Internet!
What were some of the challenges living there as an American?
I don’t think I have had any challenges unique to my being American, but not speaking the language when I arrived was by far the hardest part of moving here (I knew the basics, a few verbs, food words, etc.)
I’m a fast learner, a naturally curious person, a good listener, and an even better parrot. I also had a good attitude, all of which I think helped the language-learning process.
Many Americans and other foreigners have a difficult time adjusting to the pace of things and lack of efficiency of certain aspects of society (especially bureaucracy), but I’m fairly easy-going, so it wasn’t too challenging for me to get used to it — not that I didn’t and don’t have moments of frustration, of course, with both the language and inefficiency, but again, a good attitude goes a long way . . . although so does knowing when it’s appropriate and necessary to stand up for yourself (which of course is much easier to do when you know the language).
How easy was it to make the move from lawyer to location independent business owner?
I’ve always been someone who works well on my own, provides my own motivation, and organizes and prioritizes my own schedule, and three years of law school really strengthened that internal discipline.
Overall, I’d say my personality just lends itself well to being a freelancer/entrepreneur, so honestly the transition from working for someone else to working for myself was probably the easiest of all the changes in my life during that time.
The most stressful part of being a freelancer, of course, is when you’re first starting out:
(a) not sure where your next paycheck is coming from,
(b) not sure whether you’ll ever really “make it.”
Pasqualina and kid Pinta
If you’re going to branch out on your own, you absolutely have to come to terms with a lack of security and a steady paycheck as well as the ebbs and flows/feast or famine periods that often accompany the first few years of getting established — but with hard work and some luck, those pressures/stresses will hopefully back off after a while.
I really can’t imagine ever wanting to work in an office again. Ever. I absolutely adore making my own hours and being able to take walks with the dogs, hang out with the goats, and check in on the chickens on my schedule.
What advice would you give those who want to make this move?
It’s hard to give blanket advice since everyone’s personal situation is so different — for example, I was single and had no children when I moved to Italy, so it was relatively easy for me to just pick up and come here.
If you have a partner and/or other obligations, you obviously have a lot more to consider.
But what I can say is that while it’s important to research where you’re going and what you’ll be doing (and also learn some of the language if it’s foreign to you), my best advice is that if you’re considering a move to another country or even another city, go ahead and start the movement toward that goal, even if it’s something as simple as doing online research.
No step is too small or too soon, and since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow or even later today, the perfect time to begin is now.
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Way to go, Michelle! I know exactly how you feel.
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As usual John, you have fascinating expats that we can learn from. Michelle is one awesome entrepreneur and it goes to show how much dedication and determination it takes to build a professional life abroad.
Thanks for having her on here to share her story!
Thanks for sharing your story here Michelle, it was very inspirational.
Cheers to both of you : )
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Mark, Michelle is one awesome lady and a gifted writer, check her blog bleeding expressos. The title alone is pretty good.
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This was a very insightful story and I thank you for allowing Michelle to share it with us. I never knew of all of the challenges expats really face and the circumstances they have to overcome. I appluad each and everyone of you who has done it and even more the ones who have done it successfully. Wow! This just changed my day.
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Michelle not only has a great story to tell but she is a gifted writer. It’s simply awesome.
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Hi John & Michelle
I admire people who move to a country where they don’t speak the language. When I moved it was from Australia to Scotland…you could say I had to listen hard to learn the Glaswegian dialect, but we were supposed to be speaking the same language
And mine was only a temporary move to study and travel, stayed many years but didn’t plan on staying forever.
Michelle, you sound like not only have you made the right move for you, but help and inspire those around you too. And what beautiful countryside to surround yourself with. Kudos to you and great that life is so fulfilling after you had the courage to just do it.
Patricia Perth Australia
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Thank you Patricia; in some ways I felt like an immigrant when I went to college in the southern US as a northerner — language barriers are everywhere!
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I love it when you do these real-life expat examples/interviews John. They’re always powerful, moving, unique, and ‘the real deal’.
Michelle is one impressive lady. What guts. And determination. Quite the expat example she is.
Well done, as always my friend,
Marcus
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Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words, Marcus
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One of my few regrets in life is that I didn’t discover Italy earlier in my life (been there 5 times). I just love everything about it; the passionate people, the beautiful scenery and I’m a pasta freak. Thanks for triggering tons of fond memories.
Riley
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I know how you feel, Riley — I discovered Italy in person at a relatively young age (25), but I still wish I had considered studying abroad here when I was even younger…thank goodness we still have time to enjoy it though!
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Michelle–You continue to inspire us! And I love the photo of the village. John, thanks so much for this post.
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Thanks so much Susan for your continued support. Un bacione xx
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A very, very moving piece John, thanks for doing this interview. It sums up the theme of your site so well.
Michelle, I’d like to thank you for re-affirming my faith in the human race. There’s very few people out there who have successfully balanced their passions and goals with love and consideration for other people, and you’ve done that so well to date. I learned a lot from you, ending with the ‘take the step, even if it’s a baby step’ philosophy.
Thanks Michelle, and John. You’ve inspired me today
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Hi Stuart, all the credit goes to Michelle I’m only the messenger
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Wow, Stuart — thank *you* for taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m beyond humbled by your words
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John,
Before coming to your site for the first time, I was oblivious that people actually picked up their life and moved to a foreign country and make a living. Well, it’s not that I was oblivious, but more so didn’t realize how popular this lifestyle is.
I find it absolutely fasinating…not because I have interest to be an expat, but because of the lessons I extract from it.
It’s hard enough running a successful business from the one’s home country, let along having to move, adjust to a new culture (which is huge), language, and all other intricacies that that are all new.
To all expats who make this happen, I have total respect for them. Because they are showing and proving and that life is about following our heart and doing what we want. All the rest can be figured along the journey.
Thank you Michelle for sharing your wonderful and inspiring journey!
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Hi JK, I wouldn’t say its popular. Actually I would say its a minority. I really believe its not for everyone. This is why I have a serious issue with people who preach that going abroad is ‘the solution’. It is for some not for all.
Michelle is truly an inspiration and a gifted writer.
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Hi Jk, thanks for your kind words; I love what you say about figuring out the rest along the way…so true. When we’re talking big life decisions whether it’s starting a new business, moving to a new location, having a baby, etc., if we’re waiting until all those t’s are crossed, i’s are dotted, and doubts , we’ll never get to actually living the good stuff
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I only know Michelle through Bleeding Espresso (and now Goat Berries, and Eye on Italy podcasts too!). Possibly I found her through reading Cherrye Moore’s blog. I have enjoyed reading Michelle’s posts and am so impressed with the quantity and quality of her work output. She is unfailingly generous (as Diana mentioned) and I truly hope to meet her one day.
Great interview!
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Well she does live in a stunning location, so this is a great excuse to go visit Calabria
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Thanks so much, AmyEmilia — would love to meet you in person as well
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I am one of those lucky people who count Michelle as a good friend. I remember years agowhen I first came upon Bleeding Espresso online. For many of us expatriates in Italy, she was (and is) a beacon – first of all, in terms of her knowledge base, and second of generosity. She’s generous with information, she’s not jealous, she shares easily, she’s calm and of course, she’s brilliant.
This is a wonderful interview, and shows that doing your own thing does not have to be weighed down by everything we think we’re **supposed** to be. The idea of high flying lawyer in one hand and the idea of independent international entrepreneur in the other. Office in downtown Philly in one, stone house on a hill in Calabria in the other. There are no write or wrong answers – only choices — if we allow ourselves to be mentally free enough to make choices. Michelle was and is.
Wei
rd talking about you in the third person, Fabio, when you’re right here. You are simply the best.
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Hi Diana, yes Michelle does show us that with the ‘right stuff’ we can build our own destiny.
You have an awesome friend.
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Haha thanks Diana — you can talk about me in whatever person you like — any day of the week and twice on Sunday
Un bacione xx
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Michelle’s story is awesome and a testimony to pursuing what you want in life. She had to overcome inefficiencies she wasn’t accustomed to handling and the language barrier. Her perseverance shows a good expat-model. Also I dug the reminder about being sure to stand-up for self when it gets hairy. All the best Michelle and as always John, thanks for keeping the expat illumination going.
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Jacob, I am sure it reminded you of your life in China
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Thanks Jacob! It’s easy to become intimidated by people telling you “how things work” when you’re in a new situation, so developing the ability to separate out when the advice is good and when you can do things more in your own style and still succeed (sometimes with even better results) is vital — especially in small town Italy, but also in life in general. I’m probably lucky in that my small town in America operates similarly in some respects, so I was used to a lot of the mindset (not a coincidence as many people in my PA area also have ancestors from this village and neighboring Italian towns).
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John,
Thanks for sharing Michelle with us…that was powerful. I can’t imagine how grounding and gratifying is must be to walk and live in the same land as your ancestors. And this post really took me there.
Heading to Bleeding Espresso now to check it out!
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Hey Jason, glad you like it, it truly is an inspiring story.
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Thank you, Jason; it’s interesting that while technically I’m location independent, my satisfaction with this lifestyle is actually very *dependent* on where I have chosen to replant roots, so to speak
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