(Apr. 2) – “I do nothing special but I’m very happy.” Chiara Barbirato is a 28 girl from Treviso. She graduated in Political Institutions and Human Rights at the University of Padua in April 2011. After finishing her studies, because of the crisis and a boyfriend in Madrid, she decided to leave Italy for Spain: “In Italy – she says – I had no real prospect work. I had nothing to lose so I decided to drop everything and try to build a life here.” Brave and resourceful, Chiara has done a lot form the very beginning: “I immediately searched for a work in commercial activities to improve my Spanish, to know the city better and save some money. There were a lot of offers, but the working conditions were also discouraging because of the crisis which hit Spain. After two months, I managed to find a good job with a satisfactory salary. Today I work in an Italian gelateria and I have a permanent contract. It’s not my dream but it allowed me to achieve an economic autonomy.” Chiara says she likes living in Madrid: “It’s a European capital but not a giant, public transport work fine and the hospitality is extraordinary. It’s a very active city, full of culture and entertainment. The young have some help from the government – said the young Italian – for example I was given the ‘basic de renta Emancipación’, a financial aid of about 200 euros for rent. I think many young people seek their fortune abroad because in Italy there are not the conditions to foster professional development. Going abroad, we find a reason to create for ourselves a future.” Chiara doesn’t think to return to Italy but she admits that “it is not impossible and it could happen in the future”: “Now I live as a world citizen and I’m not afraid to continue to see new places.” (Gil/Peg)
