Not quite there yet.

Studying abroad is something that has always enticed me as an individual who loves travelling and exploring new cultures. My first extended period overseas in one location was Shanghai, China at the start of 2014, and ever since then, I knew this semester exchange would be the best thing I could ever do.

While I’ve yet to actually arrive in Milano, Italia yet (my host town), it’s amazing how well you can acquaint yourself with the city and the program before you get there. I have been talking on a daily basis to other UTS students who studied at my same exchange University – Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), as well as getting to know others who are coming abroad from different countries to share my classes. Through the wonders of social media, I’ve met Americans, South Americans, Brits and other people from all over Europe, who will all be studying with me! It’s crazy to think that each of my classes this coming semester will be so multicultural.

In addition to this, my preparations have seen me do a lot of research about local shops, public transport, housing and accommodation etc. Without having even stepped into Milano, I already feel familiar with the city. Not to mention, I have even found myself some local friends that I met at a festival in Budapest, who are meeting me at the airport and are going to show me round. What a way to start my Italian trip!

Just to let you in on a little secret, I’m a Comms kid back at home, meaning I don’t have exams, which also means while you were all slaving away in the Great Hall (I think that’s where they hold exams?), I was already on a plane to Europe! Despite not being in Milano yet, I am very much in Europe and have been for the past two and a half months. In that time, I have covered fourteen countries! And what a blast it has been!

Anyways, as this is not the first impressions blog you were probably promised, I intend to write another and include very many pictures next time, but until then!

Arrivederci!

—-

Written by Nicholas Phillpott