Fail to prepare, prepare to fail

The phone ring. It is Pat.

“I am now in the hospital. I was rushed to the emergency department on Monday due to an excruciating pain in the abdomen. They found a cyst in my ovary. The doctors are deciding whether to operate or not.”

“Do you have health insurance?” I asked her.

“No”, she replied. 

My heart drops. Since her arrival to this country 3 months ago, she encounters almost every misfortune one can possibly imagine. Now this, what could be next?

Pat was full of hope and enthusiasm when she wrapped up everything in America. With a master degree and several years of experience in law practice, she was confident to meet new challenges in a new country. Where to go next? Italy seems a romantic place, with delicious pizza, singing gondoliers, charming Italian men. Or so it appears in the movies.   

Merely after a month, her landlord raised her rental by 120%, citing as “winter tariff”. There was no choice but to seek a new place in October, a month where hundreds of university students are doing the same. Her working experience and education bears little relevance in this country. Her sufficiency in the Italian language is not a barrier but yet enough to convince. Jobs are not available. Pat has no contacts, no relatives, no friends. Money is running out.  Depression is slipping in.

Returning to American is an improbable option for Pat has given up her job and apartment in order to come to Italy. Blame it on the lack of research. It’s nice to live on instinct at times. But for such a drastic change in life, preparation and research is absolutely essential. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Let’s hope everything will turn up well for Pat. She deserves better. 

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