Erasmus Experience in Milano, Italy by Davis

Why did you choose to go to Milan, Italy?

Because of the beautiful surroundings, art, architecture and the amazing food.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My scholarship is 5 months long and I receive about half a thousand euros each month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Milan?

There are a lot of international students, so the lifestyle is very diverse. Students often organize some kind of gatherings or other activities in their free time.

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

Absolutely! It is a very beautiful place. And it is easy to settle in and get used to life around you. The University staff level is top notch. They really do their job very professionally.

What is the food like?

It's amazing! If you think Italians eat only pizza and pasta, then... you are probably right. However there are a million types of those dishes (I am not exaggerating). Furthermore, the food tastes absolutely amazing. Even the pizzas which are sold on the street are way better than anywhere else I've eaten.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Milan?

No, not directly. However it did cost me quite a bit to travel around the city in search for a suitable place and to stay at a hotel for the first week here. The transportation here is quite expensive if you do not have a monthly pass (which I obtained only after a month).

How much does it cost to live in Milan?

It's expensive. The average apartment costs are around 500 euros for a single room. I was lucky enough to find a whole apartment for this price. However, it is actually possible to find cheaper solutions if you search the local advertisement sites. Food here (at least for me) costs around 6-7 euros a day, if you prepare most of it at home. For the same price you can have a decent meal in a cafe. Student monthly transportation pass costs 22 euros a month. However, you can only obtain it one once you have a codice fiscale. Until then the best solution (for me at least) is to use 10 ride tickets which cost around 14 euros. Clothes are not that expensive, if you know where to shop. You can get a pair of shoes for 30 euros, for example (or even less if you don't care about the brands). Double or triple that price if you shop on the tourist streets or the latest collection items. A drink in a typical club could cost around 5 euros. Books for studies (or any books actually) are very expensive and could range from 20-50 euros. Phone expenses are quite cheap and you can get a decent voice + data plan for around 10 euros a month. If I sum up all my expenses so far, my average day's cost is around 35-40 euros.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The language is fairly easy, because it has many internationally used words or phrases similar to many other languages. Furthermore my University provides language courses starting from absolute beginner level which are completely free.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Milan from your city?

The easiest, fastest and most economical way is to travel by air. However, if you live in the Western Europe, train could be a good alternative.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Milan?

I can't recommend a single place because they are all great. Whether you prefer a club or a pub or something else, you will definitely find where to go.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Milan?

There are small cafes on every corner and the food is great in all of them. The main tourist streets have some great restaurants, if your'e ok with spending 20+ euros for a meal. I have also heard that Navigli is a place to go, if you want to have a good meal.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

I'll just name some of them: Duomo, Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, Cimitero Monumentale, Navigli, Galleria di Vittorio Emanuelle II, Parco Sempione, Porta Nuova and pretty much the rest of the city.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Milan in the future?

1) Get your codice fiscale as fast as you can. It will make your life much easier. If your University offers to make you one, decline and go to the office yourself - it will be 100 times faster (actually more - I got it in 30 minutes, the University made me one in 30 days).

2) Contact the potential apartment owners before you arrive. And make sure you have a lot of options cause things tend to change in the last moment. If you want to live in the student dorms, book them as soon the registrations are open - they will be full in no time.

3) Get used to being late for school, because it's normal for public transportation to be late. A 10-minute delay is absolutely normal.

4) Don't sit in your apartment all the time. There are tons of things to do to have fun. Also meet the local students for some activities. Use English less while speaking with them. They like it so much better if you try to speak Italian, even if you know only some words.