After almost 5 months which seemed to go by in a flash, I’m packing my bags to head home to Texas. This experience was absolutely life changing and I would 10000% recommend it to anyone and everyone. The university, classes, culture, architecture, food, and everything else is a truly unique experience for anyone. This is completely different than just a week long vacation with family, you find your favorite cafe, you make new friends, try new things, and learn new phrases in languages you thought you’d never learn.
I can’t stress how important it is to meet and make friends with as many people as possible. There are hundreds of different students from different countries and schools who all want to become friends with you, don’t just make friends with a couple people and then settle for that. You will always have friends to do something with, whether its going to all you can eat sushi (a must in Milan) or traveling to a different city or country. Make sure you don’t only visit cities or towns, go on hikes, they’re absolutely breathtaking. Don’t just step out of your comfort zone, leave it. You won’t regret it.
Looking back, I realize this experience wasn’t just about studying abroad—it was about discovering a new version of myself. Living in Milan taught me how to be independent, how to navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence, and how to embrace spontaneity. I’ve grown in ways I never expected, both personally and academically. The memories I’ve made, the friendships I’ve built, and the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me long after I return to Texas. If you’re even slightly considering going abroad—do it. It might just be the most transformative chapter of your life.
