Ciao a tutti!
(Hello everyone!)
Today marks the end of my fifth week studying abroad in Milan, Italy, and I could not love it more! I can truly say I have had the best few weeks of my life. The experience has been an unforgettable one. For anyone in doubt of studying abroad, I know it may seem a bit scary at first. Yes, you will be over 5,000 miles away from home, seven hours ahead, living in a completely different culture, and listening to a language you may not understand, but believe me, every part of that is definitely worth the adventure! In only these past five weeks, I have adapted to this new lifestyle and absolutely love it.
?I mean, what?s there not to love about pizza and gelato every day? ?
La vita come una studentessa Italiana (Life as an Italian Student):
Bocconi University is a great and prestigious school. Classes are challenging and quite different from back home. Most of the classes here are structured by only a final exam, therefore, that comprises your semester grade. Although this is extremely helpful during the semester for traveling, you must know how to micromanage your time. Even though there are no exams, studying throughout the semester is very important because trying to cram everything a few days before the exam will not suffice. However, not all classes are structured this way. In fact, in my case, only one of my classes is as such. In my other classes, I have midterms, group projects, and finals. My professors are all very nice and understanding. As well as my classmates, so making friends in class is easy. ?Oh, but lectures here are very, very long! Classes may be only once a week, in turn causing lecture to be three hours long. However, I have found all my classes interesting and sitting through lecture has not been an issue at all. (And we get a 15-minute break?)
I live in one of Bocconi?s dorms, Residenza Isonzo, and have found it a very comfortable and convenient home. I was not expecting that since I had never lived in a dorm before and wasn?t sure I could get accustomed. Yet, the rooms are quite big with good closet space and a large desk. Everyone is very friendly. The doormen greet me with a smile every time. I have made many great friends here, actually, my closest friends whom I hang out with most of the time. Which also makes it very convenient because we can walk to class together or back home after a night out. I was paired with an amazing roommate whom has become my best friend here. We each have our own room, which is very opportune because she goes to sleep early and I go to sleep late. Isonzo is the newest residence built, therefore it is very nice, clean, has wifi, a mini fridge/freezer per room, AC and heater, and a gym. So for anyone considering living in the dorms, I would definitely recommend to try to get this one. You do have to register as soon as registration opens though because Isonzo fills up very quickly.
La vita come una Milanese (Life as a Milanese):
Life in Italy has been splendid! It has been my favorite European country and I would not want to live elsewhere. Italian people are extremely friendly. They are very warm and welcoming and have made me feel at home. I am always greeted with a smile and a ?Ciao, bella!? I have not felt such a warm, friendly vibe as Italy?s in other European countries I?ve visited. As for culture shock, it really has not been bad at all. I have actually found Italian culture to be very similar to mine back in Mexico. Which I think is a huge factor as to why I have not become home sick.
As expected, the food here is amazing. Being a huge fan of?pizza, you can imagine that living in Italy has truly been a dream come true!?I have had the best pizza of my life, some extremely good pasta, and delicious panzerotti. Panzerotti are deep fried calzones, filled with your choice of cold cuts. Milan is a beautiful city full of surprises. Even though I have been living here for 5 weeks already, I always find myself in new, beautiful areas. I love just walking around, with no set destination, and exploring. Today, my morning class was canceled, so, as I was walking back home in the rainy, cold weather, I decided to enter this cozy, warm caf? I spotted. ?Perfect spot to write my blog,? I thought.
The weather?here changes very drastically, something we?re actually a bit used to in College Station. Mornings are cold, afternoons are warm, nights are somewhere in between. For the most part, September was warm, around 75 degrees. Yet, from one day to the other, it dropped to around 55 degrees. This cold doesn?t stop Italians from dressing very nicely though. Which, I guess, could have been foreseen as Milan is the fashion capital. Nonetheless, we are not accustomed to seeing girls in dresses and heels for class back in the States.
As for transportation, Milan has a great and easy to understand system. There are metros, trams, and buses all around the city. I purchased a metro card, which works for all three and is only twenty-two euros per month. With the help of our beloved friend, Google Maps, you exactly what to take, where, and at what time, to get to and from destinations. I do walk a lot here though. A lot. ?So, be prepared to get in a little cardio while living here. But hey, after all that pasta, those extra miles come in handy!
Overall, I have enjoyed every single day of this journey. Whether it consists of studying and doing homework at a cute caf?, or hopping on a train to explore Italy, every day has truly been an adventure. In my next blog I will talk about my travels and the perfect destinations to explore near Milan.
Some more pictures of Milan:
Arrivederci, a dopo!
(Bye, till next time!)
Andrea Valdes
TAMU ?17
13 Ottobre, 2016