For Genevieve, working remotely is a lifestyle decision. It’s what made relocating abroad possible, even without mastering the local language. A few years ago, she left Australia and settled with her husband and children in Marzeno, a rural hamlet in the Faenza area of Emilia-Romagna.
Born in Hong Kong to Australian parents from Adelaide, Genevieve’s life has always had a global rhythm. She studied hotel management in Switzerland, worked on a cruise ship and spent two years teaching English in Rio de Janeiro. Back in Australia, she completed a master’s degree in education with a focus on leadership, and began working in management training at a university in Perth, where she met her future husband, Alessandro.
“It was quite a funny story,” she recalls, “My best friend’s mother met Alessandro at the hospital where he was temporarily working, delivering meals and newspapers. She thought we’d be perfect for each other. And she was right; it was love at first sight.”
That chance encounter blossomed into a relationship that led them to travel together through Italy, get married and eventually sparked the idea of moving to Alessandro’s home country.
After some time in Australia, during which Genevieve worked at the Leaders Institute of South Australia and Alessandro began to feel homesick, the idea of a one-month holiday in Italy gradually evolved into a life-changing decision. “His boss wouldn’t approve the time off we requested, so I said, ‘Why don’t we go for a year?’ We rented out our house in Adelaide, put everything in storage and left.”
Today, the family lives in the house built by Alessandro’s grandfather, nestled in the rolling agricultural hills outside Faenza. “It was my first real experience of rural life,” Genevieve says. “We’re surrounded by kiwi, apricot and plum orchards, and vineyards in every direction. Watching the changing seasons and life in a small town, it’s all so different from the city.”
One of the things that struck Genevieve most about life in Italy is the deep-rooted importance of tradition, especially around local festivals. “During the Christmas season, the children walk through the village singing carols, it’s incredibly touching,” she says. “The first time I saw the Befana arrive at our house with a donkey and a live marching band at 10 p.m., I couldn’t believe it. Everything was new to me. Here, every celebration is a true community event, and you feel the sincerity of that participation.”
Of course, the transition wasn’t without its hurdles, particularly around language and bureaucracy. “Learning Italian and passing the driving test were by far the hardest parts,” she shares. “The exam is incredibly tough, even for Italians!” Genevieve is now preparing to apply for Italian citizenship and is working toward achieving a B1 level in Italian. Her children, on the other hand, adapted quickly and now attend the local school.
A family outing in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna
It was precisely to accommodate their school schedules, and the lack of nearby family support, that Genevieve decided to build an online business. “Three days a week, school finishes before lunchtime, and many families rely on grandparents for help,” she explains, “But with no relatives nearby, I needed a solution that allowed me to work from home.”
Her coaching practice now serves both Australian and European clients, helping early-career managers grow into confident leaders. “Often, they’re technically brilliant but haven’t yet developed the relational skills to manage a team. I support them remotely as they build those capabilities.”
Remote work has not only allowed Genevieve to continue her career but has also significantly improved her work-life balance. With more flexibility to handle day-to-day family life, she’s also discovered a passion for hiking, often heading out on the trails with her dog and her children.
One of Genevieve's favourite things to do is go hiking in the hills with her dog
But more than anything, it’s the sense of community that Genevieve values most about life in Italy. “At local festivals, everyone eats together under big tents, the kids serve food and everyone helps out in the kitchen. That level of collective involvement; I’ve never seen anything like it in Australia. When people ask what I love most about Italy, besides the food, the wine and the landscape, I always say: the community.”
Today, Genevieve encourages anyone considering a move abroad not to let fear get in the way. “My motto is: don’t live with regrets. Moving is possible, and the richness of life here is truly extraordinary.”
