Arriving in Milan for my exchange program has honestly been such a mix of excitement and culture shock. At first, the city felt a little overwhelming because it was so crowded, especially with all the tourism and excitement around the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics. Everywhere I went there were tourists, busy streets, packed metros, and people constantly out exploring the city. Even though it could feel chaotic sometimes, it also made Milan feel really alive and exciting.
One of my first impressions of the business school was how bright, modern, and professional everything looked. The professors have been super nice and welcoming, which made adjusting a lot easier. Since I go to Texas A&M, I’m used to a huge campus and a very social student culture, so being at school in Milan has definitely felt different. One thing I noticed immediately is how put together everyone looks for class. At A&M, it’s normal to see people wearing athletic clothes or casual outfits to lectures, but here students dress much more stylishly and professionally every day. You can definitely tell Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world.
My apartment in Milan is also really nice, although it’s definitely smaller than apartments back home in Texas. That’s probably one of the biggest lifestyle differences I’ve noticed so far — people here are much more used to smaller living spaces. Still, I’ve adjusted pretty quickly and really like the area I live in. One thing I already love about Milan is how walkable the city is. I have three grocery stores within a five-minute walk of my apartment, which is something I’m definitely not used to in Texas. The public transportation is also super convenient. Between the metros, trams, and buses, it’s really easy to get around the city without needing a car.
The best part of my first week was honestly just exploring the city on foot. On my first day, I walked around for hours looking at the architecture, cafés, shops, and famous places like the Duomo. It honestly didn’t feel real at first. Milan has such a cool mix of history and modern city life, which feels really different from Texas.
I’ve also noticed some cultural differences between Italy and the United States. Americans tend to be really outgoing and quick to start conversations, while Italians seem a little more reserved at first, especially students who already have established friend groups. Another difference is the pace of life. In the U.S., especially at a school like Texas A&M, life feels very fast-paced and busy all the time. In Italy, people seem to value slowing down, enjoying meals, and spending time socializing more.
Overall, my first few weeks in Milan have already taught me a lot. Even though adjusting to a new culture can be challenging, I’m really excited to continue exploring the city, meeting new people, and experiencing life in Italy.
