Additional Coverage:
- After grad school, I moved in with my mother-in-law in Italy to save money while I job hunt. I’m learning it’s OK to ask for help. (businessinsider.com)
American Grad Student Finds “La Dolce Vita” Living with Italian Mother-in-Law
A 30-year-old American woman has opted for an unconventional post-graduate experience: moving in with her Italian mother-in-law in the small town of Pietravairano. After completing her second graduate degree, Catherine Work decided to embrace a slower pace of life, focusing on family, personal growth, and job hunting for a remote position with an NGO.
Trading the hustle of big city life for the tranquility of a 3,000-person town, Work is adapting to a new rhythm alongside her mother-in-law, who lives on a farm complete with chickens, cats, and a garden. Despite the language barrier – Work is learning Italian, while her mother-in-law speaks no English – the two are bonding over shared meals, gardening, and long walks.
This living arrangement is more than just a temporary cost-saving measure while Work searches for employment. It’s a chance to reconnect with her partner, who also returned to Italy, and to deepen her connection with his family. Work is embracing the opportunity to learn from her mother-in-law’s expertise in traditional Italian cooking and gardening, from drying zucchini in the sun to making sun-dried tomatoes and wine.
This experience has also prompted a shift in Work’s perspective. Raised with a strong emphasis on independence, she is now appreciating the value of family support and intergenerational living.
Living in her mother-in-law’s home has challenged Work’s preconceived notions about adulthood and success, proving that it’s okay to ask for help and embrace a different pace of life. She is trading hyper-independence for home-cooked meals and the anonymity of a big city for the warmth of a close-knit community.
Work’s post-graduate journey is a testament to the unexpected joys of embracing the unknown. While she continues her job search, she’s also savoring the present moment, learning to live “slowly, intentionally, and full of flavor,” just like the tomatoes drying in the Italian sun.