Mobility specification

Country:Italy

Institution:Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

City:Milano

Program:Freemover long-term mobility

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2021/2022

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts / Department of Romance Languages and Literatures - Italian

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?they have tons

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?Italian universities follow the university credit system, the so-called CFU system (credito formativo universitario), which measures the study effort or workload required to achieve a degree. 1CFU credit = 25 hours of study. The credits earned are convertible without any problems and then recognized in the ETCS system.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?I was certainly surprised by the wide range of courses offered, their depth and the fact that the syllabus of courses and compulsory literature can change from semester to semester. Wonderful for me!

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Of course. Not only this particular, by the way, private university, but any Italian university offers a varied and active student life. International students are informed about the activities and opportunities at the study department and also through the specific programme and its associations thanks to which they have travelled (Erasmus, Freemover...). You should be interested and ask questions, they will be happy to help or guide you.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)
Support for LGBTQ+ students (e.g., safe spaces, counseling services)
I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:18000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?Airbnb, Facebook and whatsapp groups, bakeca.it; accommodation in religious institutions (monastic councils, clusters, charitable and voluntary organisations).

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?One has to buy or secure all the study literature.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?Pass to the library, meals in the canteen (amazingly varied and rich and quality selection), transport card, facebook, whataapp, sale of used literature and study materials.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?neutral

How does public transport work in the city?runs like clockwork

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?The websites of the train companies and the local carrier (ATM in Milan).

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Walk a lot of pesos, live in public places, take advantage of student discounts for entrance and cultural and social events. Be aware of the surroundings and actively seek out information about what the location has to offer from a historical, social, cultural or sporting point of view.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?I definitely recommend getting to know the region of the city in which I am located. And definitely by train! There are 20 regions in Italy and each one is different. People in Italy first of all identify themselves by the region where they come from or where they live. Therefore, for a better knowledge and understanding I highly recommend: if I am in Milan, to visit the cities, attractions, hidden treasures, tangible history of the Lombardy region.

Share your best experience:The whole experience and the possibility to live and study in the centre of Milan, in historical buildings and with academic capacities by your side, is an experience of a lifetime.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane
Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Of course, the Italian will disappear. Very.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?No need to take a lot of stuff with you - you can get daily necessities abroad as well, really!

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Staying abroad is really an irreplaceable experience. Encountering a different system of functioning, a different culture, different customs and different people is something so enriching that it is priceless. When you return home you will be a different version of yourself and you will perceive the world around you differently. If you have such an opportunity during your studies, don't hesitate for a second and apply for a stay abroad! Study your field, write your thesis, participate in a project. From my own experience I appeal and 100% recommend it. Make the most of all the possibilities and your skills to implement this plan. Help yourself with Erasmus, Freemover or a contract with a partner university. You won't regret it, on the contrary, you will remember it with a smile.