POV: Erasmus has come to an end

1 month after I left Milano

"Yesterday marked 1 month since I got back from Milano. I spent half a year there... Wowza. Seems like it was just the other day that Ii was strolling my way out of Malpensa airport to my appartment in Corvetto with 3 huge suitcases, 3 jackets on and 3 purses. I managed to come back with a 4th suitcase... 

I can say I had lowered my expectations reagarding this experience because I did not know how things would go, since I was going to do the internship for my Master thesis, not the typical Erasmus woohoo life. Luckily from the get go that reserve went out of the window. Week one and I was already surrounded by such an amazing group of friends. Nothing changed until the end. We lived the most enjoyable lives together, went out a gazzilion times, did so much than anymore would be impossible.

Gelato with friends at Piazza Duomo. (Photo taken in March 2018)

Erasmus really is about people and ESN Milano Statale takes all the credits. I could not have asked for better. You are all remembered.I want to give as well a huge shoutout to the people with whom I spent my everyday life at the lab, because they were just as important and I recall equally incredible memories. Mainly a whole bunch of laughter! Probably because I laughed so much about weird Italian things... I do love Italy though. And foremost, Milano!

Well, this is all very mooshy and happy, and it really was like this 90% of the time, thankfully, but let us not forget those moments when I felt a little down, overwhelmed or simply frustrated. It happened because that is just life, but then I remembered where I was, what I had going on, all the travelling, all the fun and joy. I wish the last month had been as happy as the other five. I wish I had returned happier than I did, but life is about learning and there is a lesson in every corner.

All and all, I even got to become somewhat fluent Italian, so I cannot complain!

I had the best time, a long-due dream came true and there was so much entertainment and hilarious drama that I can make people cry of laughter!"

Street Art in Turro. (Photo taken in March 2018)

2 months after I left Milano

"2 months have gone by and the struggle is real at the moment. Boy, do I miss my life in Milano! I had held this dream for so long that it actually felt like I was still dreaming for the time being! I am so thankful I had such an opportunity, and for all those whom I have met.

It feels good holding on to so many amazing memories."

The "lucky bull" in Via Torino. (Photo taken in March 2018)

1 year after I went to Milano

"A year ago today I was all set to fly TAP802 to Milano for the 3rd time. I cannot believe a whole year has gone by. As cliché as it gets, Erasmus can truly be the best time of your life.

At Piazza Cairoli (Castello Sforzesco). (Photo taken in February 2018)

You are free to do whatever you want in a way that is new and exciting, and everything is set to be a blast! You are keen on meeting different people, on discovering places, on simply soaking up the whole experience... Erasmus fills a bucket of happy moments! I remember how my answer to every phone call from home was "I am loving it, it is being incredible!" I love how I was aways up to something, and would joke that I was barely at my appartment (though I really liked being there too).

And I am glad, so glad for 99% of the people I met. Because well, that is a reality of "Erasmus being about the people you meet"; sometimes people do us wrong. Sometimes the ones who we thought for sure would not. And it does not matter how much time goes by, what hurt once will still hurt, just with less importance. Like I always quote, "Life's tough, get a helmet." 

But must it be forbidden if that is to be imbedded in Erasmus itself! In doing Erasmus you ought yourself to focus on yourself. Because Erasmus is actually about you; about your growth, expanding your horizons, learning for yourself. It will always have nothing but good to it, even if some things feel bad. Be grateful; be humble; be kind; for every aspect. As in that we find the greatest of virtues.

I did my best, but I only succeeded in 99%. I was 1% too much in it. But you know what, that is ok, I never actually needed that 1% nor I ever will; my Erasmus circle got fully closed, full of what really matters. That was my biggest Erasmus lesson, and it was only in the past months, while reminiscing and reflecting, that  I have come to realize it: in wanting so much for Erasmus to continue to be 100% awesome as it was being, I lost track of its true meaning, and one of my own standards: you should not wish for things to reach 100% of anything because that way there is no space for learning. Keep that 1% free."

It is Milano anyway; "Milano da vivere, da sognare e da godere."

At Museo del Novecento. (Photo taken in April 2018)

Ci vediamo presto, Milano!

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