Moving is like a first date: trepidation, unfamiliar smells, goosebumps from the new and the fear of being misunderstood. When I came to Italy after living in Kyiv, I decided that I would fall in love with this country slowly, like with a good man!

The first rule: feel, not compare. I forbade myself phrases like "It tastes better here in Ukraine." Instead, I tried risotto with saffron, learned to choose wine not by price, but by mood and realized that Italian coffee is a separate language of love.

The second rule: find your places. Not touristy ones, but those where in the morning it smells of fresh pastries, and in the evenings the neighbors argue about football. In my case, it is a small pasta barria in Turin, where the cook calls me "doctoressa" and winks, adding an extra truffle to the pasta.

The third rule: allow yourself to be stupid. I mixed up words, bought "cookies" instead of soap, laughed at my mistakes, and cheerful Italians laughed with me, helping to fix the situation, not at home.

And I also fell in love with their passion for life: how old people kiss on benches, how market traders give away an extra peach for no reason. How every word is accompanied by gestures and unique facial expressions! Italy taught me: a new home is not a place, it is feelings and sensations.

Now I know that in order to love a country, you need to allow it to gradually win your heart. Do you think you could quickly fall in love with a new place?
And if suddenly not - maybe you just haven't found "your" city?