ERASMUS 2016 - MILAN

Why did you decide to go to Milan, Italy?

Honestly, it was all a rebound effect. My first choice was Bologna, and everything was set. There were 5 placements available there and I was the 9th person to make a choice, but at the last second I was left without a placement. There's no doubt that someone or something was pushing me towards Milan, and I couldn't be happier about it. A part of me remained in that city.

I had to go to Italy. Quando ero piccolo volevo imparare italiano (When I was young I wanted to learn Italian) and Milan seemed the perfect place to go. For both academic and personal reasons, it has something that drew me there.

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How long was your scholarship? How much grant money did you receive?

My scholarship was 6 months and I received €1800 in total. It varies depending on your region, as one may give you more money than another. I'm from Murcia and I was given "€300 a month". I got the first payment in December, it was about €1450 and they say they'll give me the rest at the end of the year.

If I remember correctly, Andalucia gives out the most money for the grants. Outside the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands have great scholarships.

How was student life in Milan?

Good. For those who don't know Milan, this city is in constant motion, there's always something to do no matter what day it is. I lived in the outskirts of Milan (Sesto San Giovanni) so of course the centre was a bit far. Even so, I still had about 100 plans to choose from every day.

• Go bowling
• Go to Sempione Park
• Eat crepes in Navigli
• Get lost on the metro
• ESN EVENTS

I really love this picture that I took in Navigli:

Would you recommend the city and the University of Milan to other students?

Honestly? I'm finding the university less than satisfactory. I study at the "Università degli studi di Milano Bicocca" (there are like a thousand faculties here). I'm getting no help from the professors and I'm not very inspired by the subjects.

However, Milan is like a city out of a film, easy come, easy go. Living as an Erasmus student here provides you with so many opportunities for the future, and so many reasons to go back. I think this city enables a truly unique Erasmus experience.

I strongly recommend that you take advantage of ESN and join as soon as you arrive, it's an Erasmus organisation which organises lots of events, and thanks to these events you can meet all other Erasmus students who will become your friends.

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What’s the food like in Italy?

APERITIVO! You buy a drink for between €6-€11 but there's an unlimited buffet from which you can eat until you explode, it's amazing.

• Old Fashion has an offer for Erasmus students on Wednesdays - buffet for €1
• Zona Navigli
• Università degli studi Bicocca
• etc

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Milan?

I strongly suggest that everyone tries to get into STUDENT HOUSING.

If your placement is with the Università degli studi di Milano Bicocca, you will have two main offers.

I won't deceive you, the quality of the residences leave much to be desired. However, the atmosphere you will find there makes it worth it. U12 is the best option as it is more modern.

U22 PARCO CREW (My choice)

Location? Sesto San Giovanni. There are 2 options to get to the university.

1. Catch the 53 bus to Sesto Marelli and then the 87 to the university (or the 51 and walk a little bit).
2. You're lucky and you can get on the direct bus to the university which goes three times a day (and only in the morning)

Atmosphere? Perfect.

I wouldn't change anything about the people I'm meeting here. We always end up making plans to hang out and do something. If not poker, then a party, and if not a party, then we party, and if not... we party.

What does this residence have? Not much.

The bedrooms are simple:

• 2 wardrobes
• 2 bedside tables
• 1 table
• 1 kitchen (with 2 stoves so small it's as if they were designed by ToysRUs)
• 1 bathroom

There are photos attached to the end of this post, don't be shocked by the mess. If you want pictures of the gym, study rooms etc., let me know in the comments and they'll be up in no time at all.

There's a fairly decent gym and two study rooms.

What about the internet? . I can't even describe it without laughing. The connection is very, very bad to a point where it's practically non-existent, so you won't have Wifi in the room.

1. Study room (Wifi)
2. Bedroom (by cable and it's slower than a sick horse)

U12 UNIVERSITY

There's little I can tell you about this residence:

1. It's so much more modern than U22
2. It's closer to everything (in the same faculty)
3. It has games and table football! (ok, that's not crucial info but still... )
4. Paid gymnasium with enormous and beautiful windows so everyone can see and cheer you on.

What's the cost of living in Milan?

That depends on how wasteful you are. I, specifically, am spending about €750-€800 a month... but I never stop doing things.

I've taken many trips, and I'm not deprived of any plans. If you're clever, you can travel quite cheaply (I have friends who are experts at turnstile jumping) and for €500-€600 a month you can live comfortably in Milan.

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How was the language? Did you attend any courses at the university?

It's very easy for the Spanish, for others... a little tricky. The university offers a course the first month (but it was quite inadequate). If you stick to it and start speaking with Italian people you'll get the hang of it in no time.

What’s the cheapest way to get to Milan from your city?

I would say by bike haha, but I don't think anyone would dare try it. I took a plane from Alicante to Bergamo and it cost around €120 with luggage (I think it's cheaper to fly from other airports in Spain).

There are good offers from Madrid and Barcelona.

Where are the best places to go out in Milan?

Take a seat! Whatever it is, if it's in Milan it's a party. Hollywood, oldfashion, the club, Alcatraz, Le banque (these are the clubs with Erasmus offers). And then add another thousand to that list. Navigli at night is awesome, it has thousands of bars where you can have a beer and enjoy good company.

Calendar for 2016/17

• Tuesday: Hollywood (€1 without drinks, €10 with 2 drinks)
• Wednesday: Old Fashion (€1 without drinks, €10 with 2 drinks)
• Thursday: The Club (€1 without drinks, €10 with 2 drinks)
• Friday: Alcatraz (only €10 2 drinks) It's compulsory to get the "invisibile alla fragola" drink here. You'll agree with me, I promise you.
• Saturday: Le banque (€1 without drinks, €10 with 2 drinks)

Any advice for future students going to Milan?

You may be having some doubts about Milan, Rome, or the smallest village offered by Erasmus. Wherever it is, don't have any doubts about this opportunity. Erasmus will change your life, and if you want to know why, I was encouraged to start a blog to convince you because... really, you may not believe it, but it will change your life.

Click here to read my 4 tips for any future Erasmus student.

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