Why South Tyroleans leave…
… and why they (almost) always come back.
South Tyroleans and adventure go hand in hand. Growing up in a place where wild, untouched landscapes are just part of everyday life, it’s no surprise they develop a deep love for exploration. That same adventurous spirit also stirs a curiosity about the world beyond their borders, particularly as they enter adulthood.
With South Tyrol’s relatively small size and scattered population, the allure of big city life – or at least, bigger-than-Bozen city life – is hard to resist. As a result, many young South Tyroleans pack their bags and venture off to pursue higher education in places like Rome, Vienna, Lisbon and London. Their careers might take them to Zurich or Zaragoza and their wanderlust to countries as far-flung as Thailand or Australia. These experiences open up whole new worlds. Along the way, they fall in love – with new places, new cultures, new experiences and maybe even new people.
But just like the greatest love stories, South Tyroleans often find that true love never really fades. Unlike many who leave their small-town beginnings and never look back, South Tyroleans often have a compelling urge to return. This longing for home may not surface immediately, but sooner or later, the call of the mountains, the nostalgia of home-cooked meals, the connection with childhood friends and the outdoor lifestyle that shaped their early years become too strong to ignore.
Many ultimately decide to come back – not just to relive old memories but to create new ones. To raise their kids alongside their childhood friends who are also raising their own and to pass on that adventurous spirit that has always been a part of them.
Thus unfolds the cycle of departure and return. Of adventure and homecoming. For South Tyroleans, no matter how far they wander, the way back home remains clear. After all, aren’t the best adventures those that bring us back to where we began?
