Time flies. I’ve been in Naples for almost three months now. The first half of my stay abroad has been a valuable experience, offering many insights but also some notable challenges. One of my main goals was to improve my Italian, both written and spoken, and I’ve made steady progress in this area. However, learning a language to a higher professional level requires consistent practice and immersion, and I’m still working hard to reach that level. This aspect of my stay has been both rewarding and challenging, as it’s key to better integrating into the local business culture and making the most of my exchange.
A major challenge I have encountered is the availability of teams (start-up mode) to support me in the implementation of our planned actions. During the month of August, the city of Naples experiences a significant slowdown in business activity. Many places are closed and the workforce is on holiday, which has made it difficult to make progress on certain objectives. This has required a high degree of resilience and adaptability as I work around these delays and try to prioritise what can be achieved in the circumstances.
Despite these setbacks, I believe that the objectives of the program are being met, albeit in a more flexible and adaptive way than originally planned. The slower pace has given me time to reflect on and refine the strategies I’ve put in place, ensuring that I’m able to implement them effectively when the teams return and the shops reopen. In addition, the experience of adapting to the local business environment, where the pace can change significantly at certain times, has been an important lesson in resilience and patience.
Looking ahead, I think it’s important to adjust expectations and timelines slightly. By focusing on actions that I can complete independently or with limited team involvement, I’ll be able to maintain momentum while waiting for the full team to arrive.
This approach will allow me to make the most of the remainder of my exchange and ensure that I meet all the program’s objectives, despite the slower-than-expected start due to the August slowdown in Naples.
To be continued……..