Madi in Milan
Where did you go and how long did you stay?
I studied abroad at Sacred Heart Catholic University in Milan, Italy. I was there during spring semester for a total of four months.
Why did you choose this particular destination and program?
I always thought Italy would be super cool to visit. I love Italian food, and there are tons of cool places/cities to visit such as Lake Como, Rome, and Venice. Milan was especially great because it has such a sophisticated transportation and train system that let me travel so easily and cheaply to other destinations. Milan is also a very big city so there was always something to do.
How did you prepare for your study abroad experience?
To prepare, I made sure to complete all my application, housing, and visa documents early. I made copies of all important documents I might need while abroad- housing, health insurance, visa, and passport. I also created a packing list to ensure I had everything I needed, but also not overpacking at the same time which is critical when you are living out of a suitcase for four months. I watched Instagram and Tiktok videos of people sharing advice based on their study abroad experiences which helped a lot.
What were you most excited about—and most nervous about—before you left?
I was super excited to travel to a new country and meet new people! I had never flown nor traveled internationally by myself and now I was for four whole months. The one thing I was nervous about was my travel day to Italy. Figuring out how to navigate a flight layover in another country, and how to travel from the airport to my apartment were my two biggest concerns.
Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known or prepared differently before going abroad?
I would definitely recommend asking others about their experience and getting their advice. Honestly, go into the experience knowing you will face challenges that you need to adapt to. Everything will work out and you have so many people you can lean on if you need help- the international team at your university abroad, professors, and friends!
What was your first impression when you arrived?
My first impression was of how beautiful the city was. The architecture was so cool and had so much history behind it that I wondered if people took it for granted. It was also such a busy place since it was the fashion and financial capital of Italy. There was always an event going on and people were constantly on the move.
What was it like adjusting to your new environment, culture, and daily life?
I really enjoyed immersing myself in another culture and meeting so many great people. The language barrier was an adjustment. In the center of Milan, the touristy area, a lot of workers spoke some English. My apartment and neighborhood grocery store was outside the city center, so very few Italians spoke English. This was a little adjustment because I was restricted in communicating with a lot of people. The Italian language class helped me with basic language which helped in grocery stores and restaurants. Using public transportation to get to school and other parts of the city was also an adjustment, as I had to figure out how to transfer between 5 metro lines. Once I figured it out, it was super convenient!
Was there anything that surprised you or was different from what you expected during your first few weeks?
I have never lived in a city as huge as Milan, so that was an adjustment itself. It surprised me that with so many public transportation methods- metros, trams, buses- many people still drove in the city. There were tons of cars, but the streets were never congested. Biking was also super popular. There were bike lanes on every street and you would often see people biking their children to school, biking to work, or biking around the park.
What was a typical day or week like for you while you were abroad?
On days I had class, I would take the underground metro into the center of the city where my university was and then walk to the International building (which was where most study abroad students had their classes). I usually had 3 classes per day, and in between classes I would grab lunch with friends. After classes were done in the afternoon, I would either walk to Milan’s main park in the middle of the city to study, grab aperitivo or go shopping with friends. In my free time, I loved admiring the beautiful architecture, taking day trips to other cities, and exploring different areas of Milan.
What kinds of experiences were you involved in while abroad? Were any of these especially meaningful to you?
I spent a lot of time exploring Milan and other parts of Italy, experiencing the local culture, and spending time with friends. I also created my Living the Dolce Vita project, which captured everyday life in Milan through photography. While I was abroad, I took a 2 week long intensive Italian language class, an Italian Mafia class, an Art and Architecture of Milan class, a Wine class, and an Italian food/cooking class. The Art and Architecture class was super fun because we got to take class field trips throughout the city and see monuments, churches, art museums, etc., which helped me appreciate the history of Milan more.
What was your living situation like, and what did you enjoy or find challenging about it?
I shared an apartment with three other girls. They were all Americans from various parts of the country. A lot of students from Cattolica lived on the same street in apartment buildings next to each other. It was great because I was able to walk to class with friends, walk to each other’s apartments to hang out, and it felt like a neighborhood back home.
What was your favorite part of the experience or your most memorable moment?
A frequent memorable experience was getting aperitivo with friends after class. We would choose new restaurants in different areas of Milan each time and chatted about our lives back home and our experiences abroad. My favorite trip memory was my trip to Paris with two friends. The first night we went to an underground Jazz club next to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The second night we had a picnic in the park next to the Eiffel Tower at midnight and ate Chipotle as the lights of the Eiffel Tower sparkled. I turned 21 on that trip which was memorable as well.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while abroad, and how did you handle it?
The biggest challenge I faced while abroad was the timezone difference between me and people back home. There was a 7 hour time difference which meant that if I wanted to call my parents or friends in the morning or early afternoon, I had to wait because they were sleeping. This was tough especially when I wanted to share something cool about a place I visited. I started collecting postcards from each city/country, writing about my experiences on the back, and sending them home.
How did your experience abroad influence you personally, academically, or professionally?
Studying abroad was very fulfilling. It allowed me to fully immerse myself in another culture and meet so many great people. My experience in Italy helped me slow down and appreciate everyday moments more. It also taught me to take classes in other subjects I usually wouldn’t. I had taken an art history class before and did not like it, but I decided to try taking the art class in Milan and absolutely loved it!
What advice would you give to an NDSU student who is considering going abroad or preparing for their own experience?
If you’re unsure if you want to go or not- DO IT!!! I would love to study abroad again, it was the highlight of my time in college. Before you go abroad, make a list of places you want to go and rank them from ones you definitely want to visit before you leave to ones you are just interested in. This is super helpful on a budget. Also make sure to take at least one solo trip. Taking trips with friends is amazing because you can share great memories, but taking a trip by yourself is also cool because you can go wherever you want and take your time at tourist places.
