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author
Mauricio Samuel Isrrade Huicochea
Mauricio Samuel
Isrrade Huicochea
faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
academic year of the stay
2023/2024
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author
Mauricio Samuel
faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
academic year of the stay
2023/2024
University of Milan
traineeship
study stay
short-term mobility
other
How does Mauricio Samuel rate their stay?
university
city
accommodation
financial demands
about university
What made your university special? What were the facilities where you studied and the university equipment like?
The University of Milán is one of the most recognized universities in Italia. As a relatively new university, the campus is a repurposed old hospital, which is the university's main campus. It is around seven minutes from the Duomo and is in a very centric location. Much like Charles, the campuses are all around the city, and most social science classes are via conservatorio. The education is top-notch. However, the system and the way they approach education are very different; they spend a lot of time in school, and every course takes two to three times a week for two hours, which can be very time-consuming.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your "adoptive" university? What made it special? What were the premises where you studied and the university facilities like?
Firstly, the university portal can be confusing because they work by trimesters and semesters, something to be aware of.
Secondly, the quality of the professors is very high. However, I did not enjoy the approach to classes. Normally, they did not have a reading list before the class, so normally you arrive clueless about the subject.
Thirdly, the length of the classes is normally 1:45, and particularly the frequency of the classes was three times a week in most classes. It sometimes makes it feel like you spend much more time in lectures than necessary.
Finally, the university has an option for "non-attending students" in which, at the end of the semester, by reading some books, you will be tested orally (very common in Milan) and with some essay or written test.
What is student life like at university?
The university is similar to CU, with its campuses across the city. The main building where most of my classes took place is lovely. It is an old hospital 5 minutes away from Duomo, filled with coffee shops and little spots. However, most Social Science classes took place in "via Conservatorio," a more modern and smaller campus.
The university has an overcomplicated system for "reserving" space in the library and contacting the administrative offices (accommodation, student support, etc.), which makes things tedious and frustrating at first.
The language center has Italian lessons held online in the evening three times a week.
There are many conferences, events, and groups. You will always see the communist groups handling information, and the organizations have their boards for information as well as all the activities that Erasmus UNIMI organizes.
Did you study in English or in the language of the host country? What language requirements does the university have?
I studied over the summer and am a native Spanish speaker, so the adaptation was more accessible. Milan is an international city, and you can certainly speak English everywhere, but overall, Italian is important. It makes life much easier in solving, shopping, and dealing with situations.
However, the university was not necessary; they had a big catalog of English classes, and the incoming office was very helpful. Only consider if you are a Medical student; most, if not all, classes are in Italian.
about the city
What was your impression of the city? How would you describe it? What is interesting to see here?
Milan is a very cosmopolitan and busy city, costly. Getting accommodation can be around 600 to 800 Euros, and it's difficult to find. It is business-oriented, so outside activities are usually about 20 euros for eating in a restaurant and 15 Euros for any club or party. There are many activities, it's a very cultural city in the center for many events all year round. I will highlight the possibility of attending the national museums for free every first Sunday and the first and third Tuesday of every month. There are vast and abundant possibilities, from restaurants, cafes, parks, and museums. It has a vast metropolitan area connecting with regional trains through the city and has tram, metro, and buses available. It's important to know that the transportation is less reliable than in Prague. Generally, in the evening, there is no tram or metro; only buses are available, which can take very long and be delayed. Some bus lines do not work on the weekend, making getting back home very complicated. Finally, the constant strikest when I was there, the transporter had around eight strikes.
about finances
In your experience, how far does the scholarship go? What percentage of your expenses did it cover? What is your opinion on prices in the country in general?
The scholarship is insufficient to get by in Milan. If you cannot get a spot in the dormitories, most rents are above 500 EUR, and most rents are around 800 EUR, so you are putting in 200 EUR of your money off the bat. Food is also a little more expensive, but nothing drastic, transport is 22 EUR a month, and 10 EUR for the phone. On average, eating out is 15-20 EUR, clubbing is 15 EUR, and hostels while traveling can be very expensive (also for people that visit you; if you stay in the dorm, normally they cannot stay over). So, if you have budget constraints, consider maintaining an online job, working there, or a cheaper alternative like Bologna or Padova.
Please advise your classmates on how to save money—Where to shop? What services can be used to save money?
GET THE DORM. If you need to wake up at 3 am, do it! Housing is the most problematic and expensive part of Erasmus, so make sure to check the availability at the university (you can contact them). Making a budget is very important, as is keeping track of expenses and setting a number every week to see how things are looking and if you need to stay home for a few days or look for free activities.
Cooking at home and eating out is expensive; you can save it up for special occasions. Try to plan some meals for the week and save on eating out.
Milan has free days for museums and a lot of outside activities, particularly before winter.
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about accommodation
What type of accommodation did you choose? Would you recommend it to others? If not, what type of accommodation do you think is best based on your experience (dormitory, private apartment, private dormitory, shared room, etc.)?
Accommodation can make a complete difference between having a good experience Whateverwhatever you need to do, you get a space in the dormitory. Otherwise, getting an apartment can be very expensive and very demanding. In my neededn't have accommodation upon my arrival. Hence, I needed to get a place that wasc over my budget, and due to economic problems, I needed to plead to the administration for a room in the dorm. Dormitories are single rooms in residence like Residenza Ripamonti, and you pay around 300 euros (one wrong is that you cannot have overnight guests)
One of the main things to watch is the accommodation market, where most scams happen. Look for certified platforms, and if you have friends traveling with you, try to get a place altogether. If you are going to go into Facebook to search, consider the following red flags (from a personal experience): I was in contact with a lady who, in her photos, appears to be a 50-year-old, typical Italian. While double-checking, I noticed she had friends, but none were Italian (all from the Middle East or just random people and fake accounts). The place that she “worked” was an official place, but it was not located in Italy but in the United States. Finally, while talking with her, she insisted very much that the place was requested, but despite days and days past, the place hasn't been rented. Once I pull out, she starts to be very aggressive. She even sent me the contract, which was her name, my name, and the name of a third I had never heard. They requested the payment to be made by Paypal, so you cannot ask for the money back or complain with the bank. I also share the experience of a friend of mine who requested three months of deposit in Bologna, Which you can always negotiate. Try to avoid paying more than one month or two, and renters will try to keep the deposit, then make it very difficult for you to find replacements and recover.
about experiences
Did you use Erasmus stay to travel around your country/Europe? What are your best travel experiences? What would you not recommend?
As mentioned, transportation inside its city and the region is straightforward in the north of Italy as in many other parts of Europe it's connected via train bosses and planes it's straightforward to travel to places like Torino, Verona, Bologna, Padova, Venice, or Lugano. You must also take advantage of the opportunity to visit Lake Como Monza and the cities in the small towns around Milan, which are very beautiful. Accommodation while traveling in Italy, especially in the North, can be costly, so try to travel in groups, which makes things easier to get around, traveling hostels or in overnight buses. If you want to be in Venice, a good option is to visit Padova, a smaller, more affordable city where you can travel for an hour on a bus, stay all day in Venice, and return at night.
Language and culture: what cultural differences did you notice? How did you cope with the national language? Was it also the language of your studies? Do you feel that your language skills improved during your stay?
As an international city, Milan requires less language knowledge. Learning the basics helps a lot in solving daily situations and problems. In the university, as most classes are in English, you’ll have no problem, and there is always the option to take the courses using Duolingo or EU Academy. Italy is a culture of time. Taking time to do things sometimes can be messy and inconvenient but has its way; the food, the talks, and aperitivo are all things that you take your time with and enjoy.
final rating
Why here? What makes this location special? Why would you send your friends to your country/city?
The University of Milan is an exceptional study destination for people interested in law-related topics, particularly social sciences students. It's a city that invites you to enjoy part of and discover. Partly by being a costly city, it brings diverse people worldwide and events of all types. As cosmopolitan as it gets, you can find the most exclusive and accessible places, all within blocks of difference.
live-saving tips
If I went again, I would definitely remember to pack...
The entrance for the plugs is a little thinner, and some adaptors might need to be fixed.
Before leaving, I would like to know that...
It's important to know that the ways in Italy can be hectic, confusing, and long, so be patient and get someone who speaks the language because that can make a big difference.
What surprised me most was that...
I was amazed by how nice, hard-working, and engaging the Erasmus team of the universe of the University of Milan was, from the students to the administration. They were always there to help and make you feel integrated. I had many events and diverse activities.
The hardest thing for me was...
Only arrive with accommodation, try everything, and do it well in advance to get a comfortable place. You can always ask if you cannot travel to Italy beforehand for a virtual tour to see the house. Pay with your bank, and avoid paying deposits via PayPal.
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