Embracing Milan: A 2-Week Uni Exchange Filled with Culture, Incredible Food, and New friendships!

My recent trip to Milan for a university exchange at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore was very memorable and I really enjoyed the two weeks I spent exploring and learning in a new city

My first time seeing the very impressive Duomo!

I arrived in Milan, my new home for two weeks, after spending the previous two weeks travelling other parts of Europe with some friends. I had very few expectations for the “What makes us Global? Cultural and Political Interconnectedness” course that I was going to participate in, particularly as the descriptions online were quite vague and I was told that I would ‘know more’ during orientation on the first Monday of the two weeks. I was very excited to complete this course in Milan, particularly as it was renowned for its culture, fashion and entrepreneurial innovation. After setting up at my Airbnb and starting the week, I was quite nervous as I had not met anyone at orientation who was enrolled in my course, however I tried to remain open minded and reminded myself that it was good to step out of my comfort zone.

The city of Milan was extremely walkable and had a lot of history and unique architecture like the impressive Duomo, which left me in awe. In the mornings and afternoons before and after class, we had complete freedom to explore Milan. My favourite neighbourhoods included Brera, Isola and Navigli, which all had great food, markets, shopping and nightlife. The fashion in Milan was as good as expected and i loved going to these specific vintage thrift stores throughout the city called “Humana Vintage”. A highlight was our class trip to the Campari Museum. I got a peek into their marketing world in a ‘behind the scenes’ class there and we got to see how they blend tradition and innovation.

Inside the famous ‘Campari Museum’

Meeting people from different backgrounds was unforgettable and my class consisted of 10 American political science students, a Turkish student, and a Mexican student. It was interesting to learn about their countries and culture in class discussions and we bonded outside of class over dinners, Aperitivo’s and lunches.

Exploring the city at night with my classmates

During the two weekends I did small trips to Cinque Terre and Lake Garda. Cinque Terre’s colourful villages on the coast were breathtaking, and Lake Garda’s calm was a welcome break from the city. I also did an afternoon to Lake Como, which was extremely fancy. Food was a highlight too and I tried a lot of different Italian dishes like pizza, bruchetta, pasta and gelato.

The most delicious pesto pasta I’ve ever had!

Weekends away to Cinque Terre and Lake Garda and afternoon trips to Lake Como!

Looking back, navigating the city and transport of Milan and adapting to a new life showed me how resilient I can be. Furthermore, embracing a new language and culture made me more independent and confident in my own abilities to travel in the future. Milan, with its mix of history, innovation, and friendships will always have a special place in my memory. I’ll remember the unique learning experience, the diverse friendships, and the weekend trips that made this experience unforgettable.

Olivia Russell
Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation
What Makes Us Global? Macro-trends and Effective Management of Cultural Interconnectedness – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
Global Short Programs Travel Scholarship recipient