Studying abroad in Milan, Italy is an exciting opportunity filled with cultural experiences, academic growth, and personal development. Milan, known for its rich history, vibrant fashion scene, and delicious cuisine, is a city that promises to make your study abroad experience unforgettable. To make the most out of your time in Milan, it's essential to be well-prepared. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to prepare and what to pack for your study-abroad adventure in Milan.

Kmart. Seven Eleven. Circle K. It is likely that sometime, somewhere, you have been to a convenience store to grab a soda or a quick snack. You fill up your car with gas; it’s a hot summer day, and you’re suddenly craving a Hyper Freeze from Cumberland Farms. 

In my last blog post, I shared some of the places my friend and I visited while we were in Berlin and talked about two of them in detail (the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall Memorial). This post will discuss two more of the places we visited, namely the Topography of Terror and the Victory column.

The full list of places we visited are listed below, in the order of our original itinerary:

Day 1:

As my program start date approaches, I have been reflecting on the types of Italian culture I’ve experienced as well as the cultural experiences I have yet to learn about. As an Italian-American, I’ve grown up on a lot of half-baked cultural practices. It’s true—I don’t go a week without having some type of pasta for dinner; stuffed shells are a staple for every holiday; and my stuffed peppers are stuffed with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, not the usual rice and ground beef.

“Where are you from?”

Squinting eyes, head tilted, and an attempt to sound curious. This is the first question I get asked, whether I go to a store, or bar, or meet another student for the first time. This isn’t limited to studying abroad because I study in the United States as an international student. 

My study abroad journey with IES Abroad Rome began a few weeks ago, and as I have settled into my apartment and started attending my classes, I have established a new daily routine in Italy. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed several important elements that have truly made a difference in my transition into life in Italy beginning during my pre-departure preparation back in the United States. 

1. Integrating Italian Into Everyday Life – Music, Movies, and More!

It’s hard to sum up what a year abroad is like in a 500-word blog post written less than two weeks after returning from a 9-month adventure. I imagine I will have many more thoughts and reflections on my time in Amsterdam at the end of the summer while I’m gearing up for my last year of college, which is a crazy thing to think about in and of itself. Ultimately, I am so thankful for my time abroad. I grew fundamentally in many ways and feel like a different, better person.