Best decision I ever made February 03, 2025

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/02/2024 to 12/19/2024 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Increased my proficiency in italian, integrated myself into the local culture, traveled all throughout europe, attended fashion week, and made friends that happen to live here in Boston!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I am interested in studying fashion and my family is italian - making Milan the perfect city to get exposure to my culture and the fashion industry.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

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

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 40 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan all trips in advance to avoid higher fees!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? ITAL104
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Go out and try to speak it to the locals as much as you can, it greatly improved my proficiency.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Milan
  • The people I met that were from other univsities
  • Easy airport access
* What could be improved?
  • More integration with international students - it was strictly american
  • They sent us a lot of emails that sometimes made it confusing
  • I was the only wellesley student so I could not plan too many trips in advance
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I should have enrolled in Bocconi's gym in order to meet more locals - its always the best way.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.