A few months ago, I made a big move from my hometown of Verona, Italy, to Colorado with my American husband.
Moving to the US from Italy has been a wild ride full of surprises and adjustments. Here are the six biggest culture shocks I’ve experienced since moving.
The portions in the US are much bigger than what I’m used to
When I first moved to America, I was shocked by how big the portions were.
Jessica Corradi
One of the first things I noticed was how big the portion sizes were. When I went to a diner, I was shocked when the server brought me a plate of pancakes bigger than my head.
The same is true when it comes to coffee. I’ve found that in Colorado, people walk around with massive cups that they sip on all day. But if I’m being honest, I miss the tiny servings of espresso I was used to in Italy.
Life moves at a much faster pace in Colorado
Italians know how to relax and enjoy the moment. We take our time with meals, strolls, and just about everything else.
But in Colorado, everything feels like it’s in fast-forward. People are always rushing — to work, through meals, and to their next activity. It’s like everyone has a constant adrenaline rush.
The fast-paced lifestyle is exciting but a bit exhausting.
I walk way less in the US than I did in Italy
I walked everywhere in Italy.
Jessica Corradi
One thing I miss about Italy is the ability to walk everywhere. In Verona, I could walk to the bakery, the market, and my favorite cafés.
There’s nothing like strolling through the narrow streets, smelling fresh bread, and running into people you know.
Here in Colorado, everything is so spread out. I have to drive a lot to get around, which doesn’t have the same charm.
The work culture in the US is intense
Italians value our work-life balance — we take long lunches, enjoy our vacations, and don’t live to work.
Here in the US, it feels like everyone’s always on the grind. I’ve found that long hours, short breaks, and a hustle mentality are the norms.
I admire the dedication of workers in the US, but it’s been a big adjustment for me. I’ve had to learn to carve out time for myself and not get swept up in the constant busyness of work.
The shopping and customer-service experiences are very different
The customer service in the US is amazing, but the 24-hour stores and sheer convenience of everything are mind-boggling. In Italy, I was used to shops closing for a few hours in the afternoon and everything shutting down early in the evening.
In the US, it feels like you can buy anything at any time, which is super convenient but can be a bit overwhelming.
The Fourth of July celebrations are overwhelming — in a good way
I was surprised to find that even the food gets a patriotic makeover during the Fourth of July celebrations.
Jessica Corradi
When I moved to the US, I was surprised by how unbelievably patriotic the Fourth of July celebrations were — it’s like a sea of red, white, and blue.
Everyone goes all out, from candy to clothing to house decorations. Even some of the food packaging gets a patriotic makeover. It’s a level of national pride I’ve never seen before.
Celebrating my first Fourth of July filled me with happiness because I never imagined I’d feel so included in a place I never expected to call home.
Moving to Colorado has been a series of culture shocks, but it’s also been an adventure.
I’m still learning to blend my Italian roots with my new American life, and even though it’s challenging at times, it’s also really exciting. Every day brings something new, and I’m embracing it all — one big cup of coffee at a time.
