Let’s get one thing clear: preparation is not my strong suit. I tend to make a haphazard list of essentials, pack it a week beforehand, forget what I packed, and start all over. I am a nervous organizer who easily gets distracted by the other commitments in my life. However, I was not about to let my anxious brain get away from me when it came to preparing for this study abroad program. I was swimming in paperwork, drowning in printer ink, and struggling with finding a notary in the state of Minnesota. Yet, with the help of the IES Abroad's ACCeSS abroad checklist I finally pulled myself together.
I started with the tasks that were easiest. Thankfully, my passport had been recently renewed for a separate study abroad I participated in during the spring of 2025. With that weight off my shoulders, I sent what felt like hundreds of emails to advisors, professors, and doctors to set up appointments and fill out the other paperwork. The hardest document to prepare was the Enrollment Verification Letter. I made the mistake of leaving it to the last minute and scrambled to find someone who could complete it. Do not follow in my footsteps on that one. Send it out as soon as possible because half the time the person you sent it to will forget to fill it out unless you remind them of the deadline constantly. In fact, you might as well get all of the documents that require notarization and signatures out of the way first. Definitely consult your bank, because I found out that mine can notarize documents on site. I ended up getting my Proof of Financial Means, Affidavit of Insurance, and all the additional documents that needed to be notarized done all at once.
Despite this, the ACCeSS checklist taunted me all hours of the day. I read through it dozens of times, double checking and triple checking that I had completed a step. It was ten days from the deadline when I drove over to FedEx, had my passport photo copies taken, and mailed out my Visa application to the Chicago Italian Consulate. Now all I had to do was wait.
In my downtime, I picked up extra shifts and put more of my paychecks into a savings account. Remember, you will not be getting paid for the entire time you are abroad (unless you manage to apply to a paid internship, but do not get your hopes up). Financial budgeting has been an issue for me in recent years. I made a series of expensive purchases for school, including a new computer that swallowed a large portion of my savings. It is recommended that you have over 5,000 U.S dollars in your bank account for a semester abroad. To better regulate my spending, I created a budgeting plan assuming I would spend between 15-30 U.S dollars per meal at least twice a day. That plus 50-150 dollars per week on groceries, and 22 dollars per month on public transportation equals around 432 dollars per month. This does not include the cost of textbooks, school supplies, and toiletries. Expect to spend anywhere between 500-1000 dollars per month. Conversion rates play a large part in this too, so make sure you do your research and update this budgeting the closer you get to your departure date.
Milan is a major city, which means there is a lot to do. I bought a copy of Rick Steves' Snapshot: Milan and the Italian Lakes as well as an Italian pocket phrasebook. Technically, IES Abroad offers multiple classes in English, but it is a sign of respect toward a culture to learn their language before entering the country. I know it is not possible to learn an entire language in a semester, but at least keep a few easy phrases in your back pocket. I recommend you learn a few greetings and questions like, “Where is…” or “How much does this cost?” Definitely learn the alphabet, numbers, and signs so you can navigate your neighborhood a little easier.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to not overthink it. You are going to embark on a journey to new academic and social heights. Be prepared, but do not fret over things you cannot control. Make lists of what you need to pack, create budgeting plans, and write some notes on the language and customs of your host country. Once you get there, keep an open mind and remember that you are still learning. The experience might not be perfect, but it will be worth it.
Adelaide Miller
My name is Addy. Born in Minneapolis, I have two jobs at a bookstore and a library. I adore reading, writing, and art. Fashion has always been involved in my life and I enjoy adding a touch of whimsy to my outfits.
