Field of study in Wageningen: BSc Business and Consumer Studies
Study period exchange: 16/02/2024 – 28/06/2024
Country (exchange): Italy
City (exchange): Milan
University (exchange): Universita Degli studi di Milano
Faculty (exchange): Agricultural and food sciences
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
A unique opportunity, to live in a different country and get to know that culture. I had heard a lot of good stories from friends. It is a chance to meet new people and experience new things and discover a different country. I was curious about the differences in education. I was also a chance to do something completely new and develop myself and my independence.
What is the reason you chose for this country?
I have been on holidays before in Italy and I really love the country, the people, and the food. I didn’t want to go to a completely new country or a big culture difference. I could see myself in Italy and that’s why I chose it!
What is the reason you chose for this university?
I had never been in Milan; it seemed a very cool and pretty city. Since I am studying in Wageningen which is a small city I was curious about living in such a big city. For my study this was the only university in Milan, so I mostly chose location but also because the courses where interesting.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Milan has 3 different airports, make sure to look at which one is suitable for you. I got there by car from the Netherlands this was really nice as I didn’t have the suitcase and packing stress as I would have had when I had flown. Milan also has a very big train station which is perfect and the public transport in the city is really nice!
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses that were taught in English:
Yes there were a lot of options, just keep in mind that almost all English courses are master courses and some have different locations, check this well!
I had sufficient possibilities to select suitable courses in my field of interest:
Yes, there was enough choice but sometime I needed to dig a bit more to find them.
I am satisfied with the level of the courses that I followed:
Yes, they were all master courses but I am proud that I passed them and the level was not to bad, mostly because the lesson periodes were long and exams at the end.
I am satisfied, in the end, with the selection of courses I followed:
No, when I got to Milan, I found out that 3/5 courses were not available for me because two had different lecture locations (Turin & Copenhagen) and one was only part of a master and not an individual course. So, I selected new courses while there, I am glad about the courses I chose but 1 course was very complicated for me due to my lack of history in this teaching region but I still am glad I got to learn something new.
What is it like to study there?
What was interesting for me was that I had multiple oral exams, which first stressed me out, but I ended up loving this type of examination as it is easier to show that you really understand the course materials. The academic level was high but not too high. I really liked that we had lectures for 4 months and exams at the end, some people had midterms, but my courses didn’t have these. Due to this I had more time to discover the city and the country but also complete my courses. The lesson materials where mostly the lectures and articles.
What is the culture of the university?
Everyone is so nice! Everyone is willing to help you and you can ask anyone for help, I mean other students, lecturers, people working in the university! The faculty I was at was also not as big and therefore more personal, I got to see familiar faces, I became friends with the man at the main office even though I don’t speak Italian and he didn’t speak English. Local students are also really nice and start a small conversation and are willing to help you, I felt welcome and one of the students at the end. The WU is way bigger and less personal.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
The university location I was at did not offer this, but outside the building during lunch were always foodtrucks, also a pizza bus!
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
I think on campus rooms where available but I don’t know much about this. I found a room using a website. The rent rates are pretty high in Milan and there are a lot of shared rooms. I really liked my room, I shared my room and we had a bathroom for us two and then we shared the house with in total 10 international students which was really nice to make contacts.
What is the culture like?
The local cuisine is amazing, I love the food, the drinks and the coffee! The people are so nice, everyone greats you and wants to help you.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
I had a student public transport card and I paid €22 each month and then I could travel with the bus, the tram and the metro which was amazing! I used google maps to find my route each time, the old trams are a nice experience. I lived close to the university so I walked every day but took the public transport to the city center and other places.
6. Expenses
Can you give an indication of your expenses for/during your exchange?
The price levels were in general [higher; lower; equal] in comparison to in the Netherlands:
Higher, it is an expensive city.
7. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
Lake Como is a must see, very short trip with the train. Bologna is also really nice and Genoa as a daytrip! The train system is great and once I took a flixbus also good.
What does not appear in a travel guide, but is definitely worth seeing/doing?
There is always something to see in the city, think of fashion week, I also experienced design week. But so many more things, such walking thru the city each week I saw something new.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
I can’t think of a good example, but facetiming home and building up friends in Milan really helped me with a lot of things.
What is your best memory of your time abroad?
Day trip to Lake Como with a girls group I met there and becoming a friend group that day.
8. Contact Details
Would you like to ask Bente more questions about her exchange?
Send her a mail: Bente.smaal@wur.nl