Oral History

I interviewed Marco, a 22 year old born in Milano, Italy and now lives in Schaumburg. His interview is about the places he's visted and why they were so important to him.

How many countries have you traveled to and why?

Umm I have travelled to (pauses) 21 countries and the reasons have varied. Some have been changes of residence, mainly dictated by my work, some were business trips, some holidays and some to visit family

What has stood out in your travels? Like, what you have done there or to why you went there.

Well out of the many travels I experienced, four have stood out as having more significance than others, and all four for varied and different reasons. I travelled for the first time to England when I was 12 with my family, a decision dictated by my mother's work and as I stayed there for 9 years the time spent in that country, and specifically London became an important part of my life.

Then on more somber circumstances I remember first travelling to Switzerland. I had found out my estranged dad was on drugs and quite literally in the gutter in Zurich, so I travelled there to help him out.

And on the opposite side of that spectrum I will never forget travelling to Germany to witness the 2006 Fifa football, soccer to many Americans, World Cup which my country, Italy, won. (Smiles)

I also moved to Chicago here in the US for what I can only call a choice of the heart. I met an amazing girl who is from here and since moving have not regretted it once, but have actually found myself loving this city.

Can you please elaborate on those 4 trips?

Well my first trip to England umm was actually I’d wanted to do for a long time because I used to be obsessed with London. It became a place I would live to visit again just because it’s so full of different cultures and type of people from a living there view point. After living there for 9 years, I kind of consider myself English, in the way I think, humor and accent.

Well, the second trip is quite something, I was very young, about 17 at the time and I traveled to Switzerland because I found out my dad was on drugs and living as a bum in the streets of Zurich. My parents separated when I was 3 and I hardly had seen my dad. Maybe like 10 times in 15 years. Despite that, and I didn’t have a father type of relationship, I felt like I had to help because he was family. I basically found a rehab center and then organized him to go there and convince him to go there. He didn’t want to at first, he became so used to doing drugs, he didn’t want to. It quite life changing because it’s a type of thing that makes you grow as a person. It’s not a small responsibility you have to take.

The third trip is about the World Cup. Basically being Italian, I’ve grown to have a passion for football, soccer. Being able to attend the biggest football tournament in the world which only happens every 4 years was the biggest experience in football I ever had. Especially because I witnessed my country becoming the world champions.

The last trip, coming to Chicago was a very different type of experience because I was moving to change countries alone, continent away from where I basically always lived. Umm, a new job, people, culture, new life style. Everything was so different. I was scared and I had to adapt and also, I was really excited. It was a big step to take in life but it was also one that was easy to make because I was moving in order to be with a person who I loved and who I really wanted to be with.

Did you have to adjust to certain things in the country and how?

Well each country is set-up different socially and that is the best thing about getting to visit many countries. You notice the difference in people. In the ways they behave, think and in what they either accept or don't accept on a social basis.

And how do people behave differently? What do they do that you saw was different and in what country?

For example a classic difference is in the sense of humor between an Englishmen and an American. There are certain things you can say in England that would surely get you in trouble here in the States, and vice versa. And with that certain behavioral patterns change. For example after a meal in restaurant in central London I once asked for a box, I said doggy bag, to bring some left-over’s home. The meal was delicious but very filling so I hadn't finished it. The waiter actually got offended and I kid you not, a minute later the cook was at the table asking me what had been wrong with the meal. He thought I was literally taking it home to feed my dog with. True story.