Living and Learning in Milano Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As for the rigor of the academics, the classes, in my opinion, were relatively easy with the exception of my Italian class. I was taking 18 hours and auditing another, but felt like I was only taking 12 credit hours as most of my classes were performance based and required a lot of practicing.

On-site administration of your program

I absolutely loved all of the people on IES Abroad Milano's administrative staff. They were all very helpful and worked on building a personal relationship with each student.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed with an artsy Italian family where I fit in perfectly as a music major. The family consist of a mom and dad and two kids that were around my age and they truly took me in as one of their own.

Ugh, AMAZING! Italian food was already my favorite type of food, but now I know exactly what true Italian food is, and can know longer eat it here in the states unless I make it for myself, which isn't a bad thing.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Milan is not a touristy city by any means, so I definitely felt like a local in no time. I became a regular at the coffee shop across from the IES Abroad center and they were so sweet to us and even helped us with our Italian assignments at times.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't personally need to go to the doctor at any point in my stay in Milan, but I had a friend that did. He had two people join him, a cultural assistant, who were young Italian adults hired to help us with day to day needs and help our assimilation, and an IES Abroad Milan staff member. He was given free healthcare due to Italy's insurance policies and didn't have an issue getting the care he needed.

Milan is such a safe city. I felt safe walking home after a night out, and most of the time felt more safe there than I would feel walking around my the surrounding ares of my own college campus in the states. The only thing to really be of concern would be pick pocketing however if you take precautions and stay alert, people won't try to target you.

My time studying Milan, Italy with IES Abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Many music students don't think study abroad is possible due to the rigid course programs set by their home schools, but IES abroad Milan- Music: Tradition and Innovation makes it possible by being extremely customizable. I was able to work one on one with an Italian professor toward fulfilling a music theory credit required by my home university and got a unique perspective while doing so. Not only does the IES Abroad Milan staff do a great job of finding amazing teachers to work with their music students, but they do an amazing job of placing students in great living situations. There are options to live with Italian host families or to stay in beautiful apartments, most of which are right in the middle of the city. I personally stayed with an extraordinary family that took me in as one of their own and taught me how to live life at a slower pace and how to truly appreciate the small things in life. Most importantly, my host family taught me the importance of bilingualism. My host dad didn't speak the best English, but on nights where it was just him and I for dinner, we were able to have full conversations using my broken Italian and his broken English. It was a beautiful example of how learning just a little bit of another language can connect you with people you would have otherwise never been able to connect with. Milan is a city rich in culture and especially music as it is home to many amazing composers and the world renowned Teatro alla Scala. I saw many beautifully staged operas there thanks to the IES Abroad Milan and the classes I was taking. I was also able to see my favorite opera singer in recital while I lived there which was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will cherish forever. Along with many opportunities to see beautiful music making, IES Abroad Milan gives you the opportunity to create and present your own music building in many concerts including the final concert given at Giuseppe Verdi's Casa di Riposo per Musicisti. If you are a music student interested in studying abroad, I would say definitely look into IES Abroad Milan- Music: Tradition and Innovation as they can offer a customizable experience that surrounds you with knowledgeable professors in a city that is rich with music and culture where you can further invest in your future as a musician.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I would say this depends on your living situation. Because I lived with a host family, both breakfast and dinner were included, and I was able to eat lunch for under 10 euro a day. However, if you are staying in an apartment expenses would obviously be increased. It also depends on how much you go out. Clubs are open every night and some students took advantage of that which could get expensive at a 10-15 euro entrance fee per club. This would also vary depending on how much travel you do.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

by living with an Italian family, I was encouraged to use it everyday. I also used it when ordering at restaurants.

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Host Family

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• Americans

• The professors
• Host family
• The city

• Communication
• accessibility to outside accompanist
• timing of events

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer