Meet Luca, one of my favorite people.  He’s a great teacher and a very kind person.  After my move to Italy, I started taking online group classes with him.  The classes really helped me to progress and more importantly, to start speaking in a friendly group setting.  Whenever my expat friends ask me how I am learning Italian, I always refer them to Luca. He teaches about 14 expats here in Guardia which is a big testament to his teaching skills.

9. What do you miss most about Italy? What do you love about Sweden? 

This summer was the first time I stayed in Sweden the whole summer. I missed the summer in Italy so much! I especially miss the warm evenings outside until 3 a.m.   I miss being able to use my language and the possibility to visit places dreamed of by people all over the world I miss drinking a well-done cappuccino in the early morning.

Nevertheless, I love my life in Sweden. I like to live in a calm city with lots of parks and fresh clean air. I love Swedish people, they’re so very kind and friendly. Things are well organized here. Unfortunately, the winter is long and cold but the other seasons are so colorful and light. Summer nights are very bright. And they love coffee too (not exactly the same espresso, more like an Americano). The life is very relaxed here and you learn to appreciate every single ray of sun, every warm day.

10. Favorite food? 

I love my father’s lasagna (who, by the way, is originally from Castelpagano, near Guardia Sanframondi), I love my mother’s “polpette” and, oh God, how I love eating gelato.

Recently I found this wonderful site that is called MammaPack, they send Italian food to us poor emigrants☺ I just got a pack delivered full of my favorite snacks:  grissini, taralli, focacce , etc.

11. What do you like to do on your day off? 

My wife and I like to take an aperitivo with friends at restaurants or invite people to our home, watch series, read (I am a history nerd) or play the guitar. And not to forget: It’s not a real day off without playing football.

12. Do you think Susan will EVER learn to speak Italian????

Susan is on her right way to MASTER the Italian language and speak it like a native. But she took 2 months break from me, so we will see ☺

Read Part 1 of the interview here and Part 2 here

I’d love to hear your stories and what has helped you. Leave your comments below. If you’d like to reach Luca, please contact him here: http://www.facebook.com/luca.lupo.52