Have you ever thought, “Oh, it’s just a temporary thing,” only to find yourself years later still happily in a job, a relationship, or even a country? That’s exactly what happened to Kat when she moved to Florence and felt as though the city had adopted her.
🎙️Episode #5 of ‘Stories of Expats Moving to Italy’
Born and raised in Serbia, Katarina Zivkovic attended the University of Belgrade, where she studied English Language and Literature, before moving to Berlin to continue her studies in Culture, Literature, Marketing, and Communications at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
In 2019, an unexpected twist of fate led her to Tuscany, just a few months before COVID hit. What started as a temporary move quickly turned into a love story with Italy—its culture, its people, and its way of life.
Today, she channels her passion for storytelling and brand strategy into her role as a Brand Strategist at Sysdig, all while embracing the beauty (and challenges) of life abroad in Italy.
We asked Kat about her experience with Italian work culture.
What made you move to Italy?
I ended up in Italy the way most things in my life have happened: a mix of strategic intent and total coincidence. I definitely wasn’t planning on moving to Italy originally. I was living in Berlin at the time, having just finished my master’s degree. I was in that mid-20s stage of life where you’re not quite sure what the next step should be.
I was also in a committed relationship with an Italian man from Florence. We decided to go to Tuscany, where his family had a property. The plan was to live there for a year while figuring things out.
Then – surprise! – COVID struck. I found myself in 2020 under curfew in Florence. If you have to be stuck somewhere, Florence isn’t a bad option. I have vivid memories of walking my allowed 300 meters around Piazza Santa Croce.
A few months into the pandemic, my partner and I split up. But by then, I had already fallen in love – with the city, and with the country. Once curfew lifted, I knew I wanted to stay. I got a job at a cybersecurity company creating brand and content strategy, and the rest is history. I still live in the center of Florence. I’ve made so many wonderful friends and connections. I feel like the city has adopted me.
What surprised you positively about working in Italy?
What surprised me was how deeply people here live by the idea of working to live, not living to work. I had heard that phrase before, but coming from Serbia (where I was born and raised) and having studied in Germany, I was skeptical. I wondered: do people still have motivation? Do they like to create and stay productive?
What I discovered is: yes, absolutely. People here are some of the most creative, innovative, exciting thinkers I’ve ever met—and they are like that because they take time to live. They take real breaks. They take vacations. And what I’ve come to understand is that resting isn’t just about relaxation. It’s an essential part of the creative process. That down time, whether you’re at the beach or at the dinner table with friends, helps generate some of your best ideas. I’ve really come to value that approach.
And I have to mention the strong worker protections and labor laws here. The contract protections are fantastic. Shoutout to Italian unions: stay strong! We love you.
Is there something that you miss from your original country?
I was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. One thing I’ve always admired about my culture is the strong spirit of political activism and grassroots organization. As I’m doing this interview Belgrade, and Serbia more broadly, is in the eighth month of student-led protests against government corruption. So major kudos to the students!
When I first moved to Italy, I didn’t immediately understand how social change happens here. I missed the more visible, direct organizing energy I was used to. But over time, I’ve come to see that Italians also engage deeply – they just do it differently. Through volunteering, union participation, and involvement in local government and community councils. It’s a different mode of political participation, but one I’ve come to really respect.
Do you have any advice for people who are planning on moving to the country?
Yes. My first piece of advice is: Italy is beautiful, but it’s a real country, not a movie set. Living here isn’t going to be all Vespas, ciao bella, and gelato. If that’s what you’re expecting, I’d suggest coming for a few months, not moving permanently.
If you’re serious about moving here, understand that Italy has its own legal and political realities. The bureaucracy can be frustrating and very different from what you might be used to. So make a real plan. Know what kind of life you want to build.
And, please, try to learn the language. Yes, you’ll find English speakers, especially in big cities. But if you want a real life here, like anywhere else, you need to engage with the language and the culture. Ask questions. Avoid assumptions. Meet Italians where they are.
Show that you’re serious, not just about living here, but about being part of the community. Contribute to the country’s progress. Volunteer. Join local initiatives. Give back. If you do that, Italians will meet you with incredible warmth and generosity. You just have to show them you’re here for real.
Thanks Kat for sharing your story with Pietro!