What going on an exchange means to me: ‘Places to be & People to see’ 

Buongiorno! Ciao!
In the July break of 2023, I embarked on a 2-week Global Shorts Program to learn ‘Eco & Social Entrepreneurship at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. As a Business and Creative Intelligence & Innovation student, it was an enriching experience to immerse myself into new spaces, perspectives, and cultural practices. During this time, I was also able to connect with an amazing group of tutors and peers from all corners of the world. Whilst it may seem cliché, going on a global exchange was truly a transformative experience. And that is why I want to share what it meant for me, to show what it can be for you.

1. Doing it for my younger self
   It was my dream as a little girl to always go to Europe, and just travel the world in general. Throughout the years, people have always told me that going overseas is one of the best things to do in life. And they were right. We all know that studying isn’t high on anyone’s list of fun activities; but mix it with travel and it’ll be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have- trust me. For me, studying abroad made my “Euro Summer” dream more special than I ever thought it could be.
2. I wanted to stop being comfortable
   It is a kinda scary adventure to take on headfirst. It was my first time traveling alone in a foreign country that was on the other side of the world. The thought that keeps me going is how comfortable I am at this point in my life. A point when I shouldn’t be feeling so comfy because there is so much learning I need to go through to become a fully-fledged adult. Being in my twenties, I don’t want to look back and wish that there was more I could do to discover myself. I don’t want to be comfortable because that means I’ve taken the easy route. Every so often I should be getting out into the world and taking risks while I still have the time and the opportunities to do so. And that’s what exchange means to me. 

3. Knowing who else is out there 

Sydney is a sort of “bubble”- you have your allocated friend group; you hang out with ‘these’ people from ‘those’ areas. And whilst I adore and love the relationships I have made at home, I was ready to carve new ones overseas. Like what I said before, my course let me connect with an amazing group of tutors and peers from all corners of the world. My class had students from Italy, America, Spain, and Mexico. Accordingly, over the course of the subject, we studied, partied, and discovered together. 

One of my favourite memories was when we organised a group trip to the lively, charming district of Navigli to have Aperitivo after a long day of learning. We were introduced to the concept of Aperitivo in our welcome session at the University- it is a cultural ritual in Italy where you have a pre-meal drink with appetisers (similar to a happy hour). Each of us horribly, yet admirably ordered an Aperol Spritz in broken Italian to our waiter. When our drinks came, one of my classmates stood up and enthusiastically toasted his glass with a warm “Salute!” (Cheers). Our whole table echoed back the phrase with bright smiles. As the night progressed, we shared many stories (and our collective love for Prosciutto), laughed until our stomachs hurt, and later danced to the tune of ‘Sara Perche ti Amo’(you have to listen on Spotify) in the restaurant. 

On another note, during class one day, I ironically used the term ‘slay’ after we successfully completed a group presentation. One of my team members who was from Mexico, named Adrés, never heard of the term before. After explaining what it meant, he found it funny and loved it. The next day in class, Andrés started using ‘slay’ throughout conversations and said he would teach everyone back in Mexico. My professor even gave us the equivalent meaning in Italian after being caught into our joke. To ‘slay’ in Italian is “far colpo” (make an impression) or “dare il meglio” (give one’s best). 

This brings me to say to say: YOU CAN MAKE LONG-LIFE FRIENDS in a few weeks. Exchange programs are an incredibly bonding experience. 

4. Knowing what else is out there 

Milan, the world- it is a beautiful place. One of the biggest advantages of studying abroad was to become immersed in a totally different environment. However, I was able to enjoy a less tourist-filled space and see a side of Italy that many other travellers are not fortunate enough to receive. Whilst I was not a local, I was definitely embraced as one. From here, the relaxed subject structure allowed me to travel on weekends. I used the fast-bullet train, ‘Trentialia’, to go to Venice- a dream come true. Moreover, traveling with the intention of ‘Knowing What Else Is Out There’ requires an open mind and a willingness to embrace the differences that define each culture. It’s about tasting new flavors, listening to new languages, and understanding the various ways people express themselves around the world. For me, this meant eating my weight in pasta and drinking espresso at the counter with the barista, navigating the different workloads, and talking to locals. 

For my final words (incoming cliché), you’ll find that the magic of travel and studying abroad lies not just in the destinations themselves, but in the profound impact they have on your sense of self and your place in the world. I always told myself that travel is one of the best things to do in life. And they are right. 

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. 

Grazie e arrivederci! 

Alicia Amann
UTS Business School
Social and Eco Entrepreneurship Summer Programme at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship Recipient