European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 27, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine easing stateside culture Shock Bealba Bragoli Mediterranean bureaus he questions Posod by Iho italian spouses of . Service members had a familiar ring to Lorca a Volpe Are the people Iri condly whal s housing live " How can i learn the language the queries arc Mare commonly posed about italian Hie by . Personnel Wien they walk into Iho inner cultural relations Ollice of the . Naval support activity in Naples. Hal but Iho foreign spouses and their sponsors enrolled in the Welcome to inc United states seminar were asking Aboul Iho a Micro states where Many would soon be moving. The seminars Are conducted by Volpe. An incr cultural rela tons specialist who la aided by foreign spouses veterans of tile n the . A Legal adviser lion Shensa and a  consulate Reniese Nativo on inv Gratton most people sail out with the Best intentions to Leain the language to like the people to enjoy the now environment said Volpo full Wilhour preparation the Dille fences can become overwhelming end Many soon find themselves wishing they were Back Home " that s Cullie shoot new arrivals to Naples Are Well Attu Oinie with lha malady and Light it by a lending Tho ice classes designed to smooth Iho transition Inlo local culture and customs. But when Loreign spouses arrive in the United Stales often there is Little comport Lor them. We Don i cup Cal la solve All their problems said Volpe. We us Mae them aware of the differences and difficulties they a nigh Enco Nief so they la be better equipped to Deal with  Moat of the spouses attending the seminars arc women from the Naples area they come lion close knit. Extended families who Tryc in the same neighbourhood Ottun in the same household. Many have never been Lotfy alone lot a single Day of then lives. 1 want to to with my husband but i be never been away from my family " Sard Mars Ella Harb food Annamanda Bova understands Whon she lol loped her husband to the United Siales 15 years ago All she wanted was to be Wilh him Bui in Lime she stalled feeling displaced i stalled missing even like things i disliked about Naples like the none Ait the contusion. 1 could t understand whal was going on. When my husband caught me crying atone in the bedroom the Only explanation i could of Lor was that the ceilings Are Loo Low said Bova. Most italians can l picture How much greater distances Are in the United slates Nlaly is no bigger than Arizona Many of the wives Don t drive and Many speak Little English. Volpa advised a joint family Ellort. Together go Over us geography history and customs said Volpe and the sponsors should help their spouses to become More sell sufficient. Help most people Start out with the Best intentions to learn the language to like the people to enjoy the new environment. But without preparation the differences can become overwhelming and Many soon find themselves wishing they were Back  Loredana Volpe them learn How of drive. Teach them some Basic English. Ii lakes Effort irom both pail Lea. But you chose to marry a person of another Cullum and you Are equally responsible for a smooth  military Lite can complicate thu adjustment process. Many of lha sponsors will have duties and deployments thai will keep them away from Home. I worry about my Wile being alone said Marine Cpl Michael Hawk. When we move to California next june i la have to leave or extended periods of time " Volpa offers this a Lotoa encourage your wife to find constructive ways to use her time. Like enrolling m English As a second language classes or finding Somo Friend a support group other italians who have been in the Stales a while and have successfully adapted to living there " some sponsors make the mistake of raising the spouse expectations of life in the United states to saturday february 27, 1988 unrealistic Levels. Antoniella Weldon recounted her first stateside move. She anticipated great things. She was in Lor a big  Naples to had a studio apartment. One room hand me Down la Milure. But everything was clean and Bright said Weldon. My husband had Low me thai in the United slates we d have a Large furnished Placo we were both Moi Lilied when to saw that All we could afford wag an old Rickely trailer. I was really depressed some kind soul gave my husband the number of another Kalian girl who lived in the area. As lonely As i was 1 never called. I was ashamed of the place we lived in. In Nlaly. Only gypsies arvo in  learning to handle a new monetary system also can be difficult. In Nlaly. Everyday Money transactions normally Are handled in Cash and the sudden introduction of credit cards Check books and time payment can spell trouble Rosamary doers her found out firsthand. I had always cooked the Way my Mother Laughl me plenty of Iresh stuff artichokes eggplant Zucchini veal wine Olive Oil inexpensive in Nlaly. But sky High in the Stales. So Lur mature clothes shoos and car repairs All went on credit cards. Pretty Toon to were deep in Debl. Our lifestyle had to change in a hurry and we Are still paying for lha first tour the Laws of inc United Stales can be quite dilute real from italian Laws. Italians Are very indulgent Wilh children and often allow them to sip wine in Public said it. Donald Moore of Naples Navy Legal service. That would be against the Law in the slalom so is throwing hash or Ogar Eltes Oul of the car. Or drinking who driving even having an comply Beer can in the car can get you in trouble Speed limits Are strictly enforced and a line cannot be negotiated or paid on the spot As h is in Nlaly pulling Money Oul of your Wallet org he be taken As n Balw  Anne Campbell thu immigration representative of the . Consulate Olloren advice on obtaining entry visas we Are there to help you. But a visa does Lake Lime Camplesi said. The sponsor has Lohla petition the spouse has to present documents have pictures taken and have a physical examination at Iho consulate. It s Besl to Start the process right alter inc  Volpe gives prospective now  residents the same advice offered to americans arriving in Maples. You arc not a tourist you in in for the Long haul she said your Transfer i l to on Oya Blo and productive if you Aro willing Load us id a new Way of we the stars and stripes Page 13