#InternationalLove

Dear Univers readers,

Valentine’s Day is approaching…so my intention here is to talk about LOVE-LOVE-LOVE…so get ready because this post is going to be HOT-HOT-HOT.

Specifically, I want to narrate you about the precarious emotional condition in which exchange students live during their Erasmus experience. Erasmus students, whether they have a boyfriend/girlfriend back at home or not, all live in a sort of limbo: for six months their feelings are subject to new, vibrating stimuli – and to speak clearly, it is very easy to fall in the arms of someone, let’s say, “exotic”.

During the six months I spent in Tilburg I have witnessed incredible things, promiscuity that would pale even the characters of “50 shades of Grey”; good girls kissing other girls, unexpected individuals cheating repeatedly on their partners, friends “sharing” guys/girls – “like they were cars in a car sharing service” [quote]…

But even in this fun-frame, it might be extremely difficult to cut real feelings out of the picture. We can pretend to be extremely open minded, but when the boy we like, and with whom we are having a thing, kisses another girl in front of us…well it can be tough! Thanks God we can always find support and consolation in a pack of stoopwafels.

People can face this emotional limbo in different ways:

– There are those that, before leaving their national soil, choose to cut off all their flirts and relationships, especially if the emotional attachment and involvement is still low. This may seem a selfish decision, but in certain circumstances it may actually be the best one. The other side of the coin is that, once you are back home you may find yourself alone…
– Then there are the brave ones, those who are so in love that commit themselves to skype and text everyday with their “lovely-other-half” who have been “abandoned” at home. A relationship can survive over distance, but the two parties must be willing to cultivate and nurture their tie…furthermore and more importantly they must be ready to spend money to see each other somewhere over the pond…not to let passion die of course – meet me half way, Fergie used to sing.

Ok, well, these are the two possible, main, pre-depature scenarios, then you may be curious about what happens during the exchange period I guess.

Not surprisingly, the majority of people tend to sleep around…to experiment cultural diversity of course, to conquer all the five continents…as the famous Schweppes ad says – “Ehi what did you expect?”

By the way it is still possible to find some romantic souls who may be lucky enough to find their soulmates during the exchange period. I have seen the birth of some amazing italo-dutch, dutch-spanish couples during my Erasmus. I really, really hope their relationships will survive in the long-term…but you know, with Ryanair, IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING.

Regarding my personal experience, I have learned that it is never too late to learn something about love…sometimes life can still surprise you, it’s a matter of faith, destiny. Still you can meet the right “Guy” on a train after a daytrip…

And, dear readers, don’t forget this, the Prince Charming may or may not exist, but if you find someone that can prepare you coffee in the morning, well, life will be sweeter!

Xxx

Luisa

Luisa Marotta