It’s not all peaches and dandelions… but it’s worth it!

We can say that the decision taken in 1973 by this country to join the Common Market has been reversed by this referendum to leave the EU” - said the BBC News anchorman.

This is my first memory of my Erasmus in Scotland.

I had landed a few hours before from Sardinia where I studied languages at the University of Sassari. It was June 2016, and British people were called to decide whether or not to stay in the EU.

The morning, when I was about to start my traineeship at a language school in Edinburgh, I switched on the TV and the Brexit news came out as a wet blanket! “Wow, discovering Europe in the first country which withdrew from EU”…Not a bad start! - I ironically remember thinking.

By that time, I didn’t know it would have been the least of my troubles.

Since the very first days of work in the school I noticed something weird in the air. One day I was told by my mentor that the school could no longer fulfill the traineeship agreement due to “strong differences of opinion between the headmaster and the rest of the staff”. In other words: the school was about to close permanently and I had to leave!

I felt frustrated and disappointed. I couldn’t believe that was happening to me and my Erasmus could end that way.

I had two choices in front of me: going back to Italy and give up or find another traineeship in a short time.

In accordance with my university, I chose the second option, and knocked on the door of the Italian Cultural Institute. They told me there were no chances to hire another trainee, due to fact that they already hired 4, but I left my CV anyway.

I spent the following days handing CVs in every corner of Edinburgh, running top to bottom of the town like Mark Renton in Trainspotting…

I had almost given up hope when my phone rang: “Hello…?” “Irene, this is Elisabetta from the Italian Cultural Institute. I am delighted to inform that you are welcome to join our staff… are you still interested in?”

That phone call changed everything. From that day on I had the chance to work with amazing staff and colleagues with whom I shared unforgettable moments and experiences.

One above all was the organization of the Italian events within the Fringe Festival - the largest arts festival in the world.

On that occasion I had the chance to interview Dario Fo - Nobel Prize for literature - and meet several Italian Ambassadors in Europe.

Apart from work, I had the opportunity to visit beautiful Scotland which now I consider my second home, and where I left a piece of my heart.

So, long story short: if I had to describe my Erasmus in a single sentence, it would be: “Never give up, you won’t regret it!” Everything happens for a reason.

Updated on utorok, 17/02/2026