Today I gave away a small part of my soul when I made the dreadful decision to turn down the only real job offer I've had in Italy. The tentative plan was to go on a student visa and for both of us to work part time teaching English. The school would find us housing, pay for our first month of rent, and allow us to take Italian classes for free. Sounds good, right?Well, I thought so at first. But several things made me start feeling a bit apprehensive about it all. To start things off, we discovered that the guy who wanted to hire us was actually planning on paying us under the table. Then he suggested that I could choose to either work on a student or a tourist visa. Now, I'm no expert on Italian law, but I was positive that it is illegal to work on a tourist visa. And he wanted me to work 30-35 hours a week, which seemed high for being on a student visa (international students here may only work 20 hours if it's an on campus- I think it's 20. Maybe it's 10). So then I proceeded to call several Italian Consultates in the US (several because you never know if the peeps really know what they're talking about- better to get several answers to the same question). They informed me that it was 100% ILLEGAL to work on a student visa, even to work part time. Bah!
Well, since T-rav has lots of morals and doesn't want to break the law, and I fear the punishment that may come from being caught (something about being banned from Italy for any extended period of time for the rest of my life...), we decided that maybe it would be best if we didn't accept this shady job offer.
So we're going to stay here in Provo for a while. At least one more semester. T-rav is going to keep working for the IRC, but start looking for jobs doing some kind of non-profit work or refugee stuff, etc, hopefully overseas. I'll keep teaching at UVU. Although I'm very disapppointed, I feel ok about things. At least I have a job here that I really love. And at least I don't have to wait to see how things turn out...at least now I know.
9 comments:
While I am pleased you will be in the US a little while longer, I do feel quite sad for your hard decision. I know it wasn't an easy decision. But you guys will definitely end up doing something crazy, and fun and adventurous that you will love as much as Italy, I am sure!
I'm sorry :( Don't be sad...
Oh, break my heart and bury it at wounded knee. I'm glad you made that decision though. I don't think you could handle being banned from Italy forever. Plus jail in Italy might be scary. And poo poo on the illegal employer guy. I feel for you guys, but hope that enjoy the IRC perks for a little longer. Good luck.
I'm sorry... that sucks.
I REALLY think you two should apply for either the State Department or UNICEF or something like that.
I'm so pleased that you picked this detail from Rogier van der Weyden's "Deposition" for this post. Some art historians find this to be one of the best depictions of grief that was produced in the early Northern Renaissance. Excellent choice.
Although you are grieved at not going to Italy, and I am grieved for your grief, I am happy that you'll be in Provo. It's for purely selfish reasons though - Provo will be more fun for me if you are around.
I'm so sorry. You must be heartbroken. Italy will come, all in due time, and it will be under ideal circumstances--they're probably already set in motion, you just have to wait for them to come into fruition.
Well I'm sorry for you guys, but excited for us that you are staying. Dang those morals!
It's better to do something boring than lose part of your soul.
Nooooo
This is a wonderful learning and growing experience for you.
Fautie the wise
Post a Comment