If I had to describe my first two weeks as an international student in a word it would be the word transformative. At home I live in Milford, Connecticut, a coastal town similar in pace and overall environment to Newport, Rhode Island. A reason I chose to attend Salve Regina, along with their academics, is that it was a coastal town. In both Milford and Newport, the physical environment is beautiful, the lifestyle is slower paced, its demographic is primarily from the Northeast, and they are great places to walk around but if I wanted, I could drive.
Upon arriving in Milan, Italy, I felt somewhat of a culture shock. As the second largest city in the country, Milan has an urban environment that reminded me of New York. Having never lived in a place like Milan, I definitely felt out of place. However, studying abroad with three other students from Salve provided a sense of familiarity in an environment where everything felt unfamiliar. This support made it easier for me to adjust to my new surroundings. Even if you are going abroad to Milan alone, I would suggest connecting yourself with someone who will also be attending. I believe the university I attend, Universita Cattolica, has a buddy system program where you can be paired up with someone who lives in Milan. Having that connection with someone who knows the city and can provide helpful advice is important.
Before classes started, I had a week to explore Milan with my three roommates. During this time, we found a great local market just a five-minute walk from our apartment. Having a neighborhood market is a common feature of Italy. Because it is local, the prices are very low (30 Euro for a week’s worth of groceries) and the quality is better. Most likely you are going to need transportation to university, most international students I’ve met have all been a 20–30-minute ride to school. The best, most efficient way to get around the city is the Metro. At first it will feel intimidating but once you use it repeatedly it becomes easier to navigate. I would suggest making a fun plan with a friend like getting a cappuccino or seeing where academic buildings are to become more familiar.
One of the biggest advantages of being in Milan is its status as a transportation hub. With multiple airports, train stations, and metro entrances practically everywhere, getting around is easy. My friends and I have already taken advantage of this, taking weekend trips to Genoa and Paris, as well as a day trip to Lake Como. If you’re planning to travel by train, I highly recommend using the Omio app to book your tickets, and for flights, we typically check Ryan Air.
This first two weeks have been transformative for me, I’ve gone from driving everywhere to using the metro, I’m planning meals and shopping at local Italian markets, and I’ve traveled more in the past few weeks than I have in the past 20 years of my life. I would wholeheartedly recommend going abroad, but definitely do thorough research on the area where you’ll be staying to make your transition as smooth as possible.
About Me!
Haley F
Major: Psychology Minor: Applied Behavioral Analysis
Program: Universita Cattolica, Milan Italy
If you have any questions don’t be afraid to reach out!
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