A letter of advice

Dear Erasmus student starting in Milan,

This is a letter especially for you in an attempt to help you learn from my mistakes, know what it is going to be like and to tell you about all the wonderful things I have been lucky enough to enjoy here.

Firstly you need to read my October post regarding housing, it was very difficult and stressful living in a hostel whilst trying to find permanent accommodation so really try to do everything in your power to avoid it. In terms of where to live Milan it is incredible easy to navigate and even if your apartment is far away from NABA you don't have to worry because the transport links are amazing. Ideally if you want to be close to NABA Naviglio is the best area and also has a bustling night life however the area is quite expensive. Bocconi is also fairly close and, as it has a university, is a student area making it busy but it doesn't have a great wealth of bars. Otherwise the area of Garibaldi is fantastic in terms of bars and night life however is futher away from NABA and would require around a 20 to 30 minute commute depending on exactly where you are. The closest metro stops to NABA are Romolo and Porta Genova and both or on the green metro line. The closest tram in the area is the number 3 and the number 59 bus is also very close. In terms of how to use the public transport network in Milan look at my October post as I've put all the details I possibly could on there.

With an apartment also try to get one which has internet already installed, as you have to wait for university to set a meeting with the bank to open you an account free of charge so you can put the internet in your name you won't actually be able to sign up until November and then there is about a three week wait to have it installed, this makes doing work a nightmare so heed my advice!

Next, ensure the arrival date that IEMS at Coventry University provide you with is correct by checking with the international students officer at your institute. When I moved to Italy on the 3rd of October I had been given the information that classes didn't start until mid October when actually we arrived just as they started and had to go through the horrible juggling act of finding a place to stay and attending introduction lectures. Equally I also found out on arrival that there had been an intensive language course provided by NABA three weeks prior to my arrival that was free of charge. Not only was not knowing about this hugely detrimental in terms of language skills but it also meant we we're late meeting the other Erasmus students so it is something else to ask about when you email. The fact that the lessons are free means that they really need to be utilised as otherwise in order to take Italian classes at NABA you have to pay and even for the basic 8 week course of two lessons a week, an hour and a half long each, the price is 340 euros with the discount of being a NABA student.

Speaking about language it is very important. Even if you only know basic Italian being able to understand numbers, ask how much things cost, order in restaurants and say excuse me will get you incredible far. Obviously the more you know the easier life becomes here as even though many people do speak English there are also many that don't know a word and this can make simple situations like sending post, trying to find an apartment or even just going to the supermarket more than a little bit tricky. At NABA you are taught completely in English and are not expected to speak any Italian at all. On a day to day basis outside NABA is a different matter and you are surrounded by the language. If I have one regret from this year it has been my failure to speak the language and although I am capable of  basics I still lack the ability to put a sentence together.

Financially ensure you have a lot saved up or some one that can help you. Even with the funding from the Erasmus scheme the city is incredibly expensive and moving in costs are more that substantial, as I mentioned in my October post the cost of moving into the apartment alone was 2750 euros. This is normal and the apartment I've lived in this year isn't that expensive so be prepared. Drinks in most bars are 7 euros and nightclubs are pretty pricey too and speaking as the girl that back in at Coventry went to Kasbah nightclub 4 nights a week and didn't get bored it has been a bit heart breaking this year simply not affording to go out all the time.

Be wary of pick pockets and thieving whilst you are out, in my second week here I made the mistake of putting my phone on the table in a bar whilst I was chatting and some how it was taken from the table without me noticing, these people make a living stealing your things so just be a little wary where your possessions are at all time it's so much harder trying to replace things with insurance from abroad.

When moving in there are three Ikeas around the city that are easy to get to and for the Corsico store there is actually a shuttle bus too and from departing from the closest metro stop. Another fantastic home ware shop to visit is called Tiger. There's a number of them around Milan so you will easily bump into one, in truth they do far more than just home ware and have some really cool and quirky products along with stationary and sketchbooks so it's some where you will visit regularly. Do not buy sketchbooks from the fine art shop at NABA if you can avoid it as they are very expensive.

Before moving make sure you get your own travellex card. Also the university provide you with one that your grant is loaded on to you are not able to top this up yourself so in the event of running out of money you need to have your own card registered to be able to top-up and use. When withdrawing money from a cash point using your travellex card you do get charged 3,95 euros for each transaction which is a hefty amount so it's best to withdraw big amounts and then hide it in your apartment safe to save wasting money.

Be wary as well that Italy does not provide a very vast array of British products, or products of other nations for that matter. The international food isle in the supermarket is a two foot wide section of shelf mainly consisting of different flavours of salsa and as much as I like salsa I can't call is a necessity. Things like dry shampoo, branded tea bags and gravy are impossible to find here so if in doubt bring it with you.

That's all the serious stuff out the way, now we can talk about al the amazing things that you have to do whilst your here. Depending on where your going to live is going to dictate greatly the areas that you go out in and of course you will find your own favourite places to eat and drink but from this year these are mine, there's more details of them throughout my various posts of my blog but here's names and addresses so you can easily have a quick look;

To eat..
1) Burger Wave, Via Cardinale Ascanio Sforza, 47.
2) Luna Rosso, Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 3.
3) Ginger Cocktail Lab, Via Ascanio Sforza, 25 (aperitivo).
4) Be. Bop, Viale Col di Lana, 4.
5) Shiva, Viale Gian Galeazzo, 7.

To drink..
1) La Vineria, Via Casale.
2) Cape Town, Via Vigevano, 3.
3) Ginger Cocktail Lab, Via Ascanio Sforza, 25.
4) Il vinaccio, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 49.
5) Mag Cafe, Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43 (this ones a bit pricey but lovely).

To see..
1) The antiques market down Naviglio Grande on the last Sunday of every month.
2) Exhibitions at Palazzo Reale, Piazza del Duomo next to the Cathedral.
3) Any performance at Opera alla Scala, I went to see the ballet it was incredible.
4) Lake como, it's so close and only cost 9 euros return on the train go as many times as you can.
5) The square in Porta Ticinese at night, I mentioned this is my November post.

There are tons more things to do and see but and most of those places are in the Naviglio area where I live but it's a start, one thing I have learnt by living here is that it's difficult to stumble upon a good place where the prices aren't extortionate so at least you have a starting list. Also, never judge a place by it's decor, in Milan some very average looking places can serve the most exceptional food so ensure you remain open minded.

Another thing, ensure you travel! You will definitely find that NABA is way more intense that university England and you will be in 9 till 5 most days and still be expected to work in your own time but do not let this prevent you from travelling. Unfortunately in my first term here the work given by NABA did prevent me from seeing many things and although I have got excellent results and a fantastic array of new skills and things to put in my portfolio it would have been magical to have seen different parts of Italy around Christmas time and I wish I had. There are many places close to Milan to visit and train fares are cheap so make the most of it, If you have a module that you don't feel applies to you or your not gaining anything from do not be afraid to drop it and use the time to experience the culture. I'm doing this right now in my second term as it is better weather and couldn't be happier.

Make sure you take pictures of EVERYTHING. Not only to remember what an amazing year you've had but also because it is a fantastic aid when blogging to be able to quickly look and see what you have been doing plus makes posts a little bit more visually interesting rather than lots and lots of boring writing, like this post. 

Finally enjoy it. This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life and has only encouraged me to move on and also try living in other places. You will leave changed, in a good way. Moving out here as matured me even more so than moving to university and I can't imagine having gone into final year without the knowledge and experienced that I've gained from this. 

Good luck in your year abroad,
Kayleigh
Incredible happy and fulfilled Erasmus student