What happens when you leave behind the nonstop energy of New York City for life in a 5,000-person town tucked into the Italian mountains? In this episode of Armchair Expat, Shannon sits down with Caroline Chirichella, founder of Chirichella Associates, to hear her story of trading chaos for community.

Caroline shares her unlikely path—from training as an opera singer, to running a private dining business in New York and southern Italy, to eventually launching her own PR agency. Along the way, she opens up about the realities of navigating Italian citizenship, integrating into a rural town where everyone knows your name, learning the language, and raising children abroad.

We talk about:

• Why Italy felt like “home” long before she moved there


• The patience it took to claim Italian citizenship


• How she found belonging in a small, agricultural community


• The challenges of language learning and starting over professionally


• Building a PR agency that helps Italian businesses connect with international audiences


• Her biggest piece of advice for anyone dreaming of moving abroad

Caroline’s journey is a reminder that life abroad isn’t always easy—but it can be deeply rewarding when you lean into change, embrace discomfort, and stay open to community.

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EPISODE SPONSOR

Big news! Armchair Expat now has a sister brand: Move Abroad Now, offering resources for Americans ready for a new life abroad. As part of our soft launch, we’re offering a free gift: FROM STUCK TO READY: 3 Steps to Overcome the Biggest Obstacle Stopping You from Moving Abroad. Our 15-page workbook helps you identify what’s holding you back, reframe your doubts, and take action. Get it here: moveabroadnow.co/subscribe

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