Shout out to IULM! We had an amazing 3 weeks and I can't believe it's over😥 This past week of classes was my favorite for sure. We spent the week taking about Italian designers, brand product relationships, brand image and much more. Our professor Antonio Cataloni had much experience as a consultant for some of the top designers in the world like Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Tom Ford, and Tory Birch to name a few.
I learned a lot this week about the difference between how brands are represented on the runway to brick and mortars. I have a new appreciation for fashion and design now.
Leaving Italy is going to be bittersweet. On one hand really like it here and I want to keep exploring but I'm excited to go home as well. Packing my room up that I had for three weeks was sad. I will miss all the friends I've made here and the city of Milan. I definitely experienced problems with language barriers the most memorable being the time I tried to sign up for a rewards card at a grocery store. When I didn't understand he just kept talking in Italian and then tried to bring an interpreter in. I felt bad that I couldn't understand what he was saying. I have a new sensitivity for people who come to a country and understand nothing.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Week 2
There has never been a dull moment here in Milan. The past two weeks have been jam packed with classes, field trips and excursions of our own. This weekend was my first day leaving Milan. Saturday we got up bright and early to make the 6:35 train to Venice. We rushed to the train station but once there we were able to sit down and look out the window and nap for about 2.5 hours. Once in Venice we hit the ground running. We only had about 10 hours to see as much of Venice as possible. We walked the Street right out of the train station stopping at cathedrals to peek in when ever we came upon one. We walked and walked and wondered all around Venice. We walked to Saint Marks square and even witnessed a couple taking wedding pictures right at the harbor. I'm glad I can check going to Venice off my bucket list it was worth it to see. Before we knew it it was time to board the last train of the day back to Milan and go home. We were all exhausted and slept most of the way back. The next morning I could have easily slept til noon but we had planned a trip to "Cinque Terra" (five lands). So at 7:30 we were up and at the bus stop for more adventures. From Milan we traveled to La Spezia where we got on a boat to visit the 5 little villages that make up Cinque Terra. The weather at first was a little cloudy but by the time we stopped at the first village the sun was coming out. At each village we only had a little bit of time to walk around, take pictures and then get back on the boat for the next stop. The boat ride alone was amazing. The weather could not have been more perfect with the warm sun and a nice cool breeze.
There has never been a dull moment here in Milan. The past two weeks have been jam packed with classes, field trips and excursions of our own. This weekend was my first day leaving Milan. Saturday we got up bright and early to make the 6:35 train to Venice. We rushed to the train station but once there we were able to sit down and look out the window and nap for about 2.5 hours. Once in Venice we hit the ground running. We only had about 10 hours to see as much of Venice as possible. We walked the Street right out of the train station stopping at cathedrals to peek in when ever we came upon one. We walked and walked and wondered all around Venice. We walked to Saint Marks square and even witnessed a couple taking wedding pictures right at the harbor. I'm glad I can check going to Venice off my bucket list it was worth it to see. Before we knew it it was time to board the last train of the day back to Milan and go home. We were all exhausted and slept most of the way back. The next morning I could have easily slept til noon but we had planned a trip to "Cinque Terra" (five lands). So at 7:30 we were up and at the bus stop for more adventures. From Milan we traveled to La Spezia where we got on a boat to visit the 5 little villages that make up Cinque Terra. The weather at first was a little cloudy but by the time we stopped at the first village the sun was coming out. At each village we only had a little bit of time to walk around, take pictures and then get back on the boat for the next stop. The boat ride alone was amazing. The weather could not have been more perfect with the warm sun and a nice cool breeze.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Ciao Friends!
I have officially spent one whole week in Milan and I love it (big shocker I know). We have spent the past seven days learning Italian, exploring Milan, making friends and eating great food. Where we are staying in Milan is near our school, IULM. The first week of class was spent learning Italian. We've been lucky, having had two really great professors Massimo and Filippo. By now I can ask and answer basic questions in Italian. Tomorrow starts a new week and new classes. We will be learning about the culture and economy of Milan. We are in school from 10-4ish Monday-Friday so we have afternoons and weekends free. We have already been brainstorming where we want to go next weekend, possibly Florence, Venice, or Verona.
I have officially spent one whole week in Milan and I love it (big shocker I know). We have spent the past seven days learning Italian, exploring Milan, making friends and eating great food. Where we are staying in Milan is near our school, IULM. The first week of class was spent learning Italian. We've been lucky, having had two really great professors Massimo and Filippo. By now I can ask and answer basic questions in Italian. Tomorrow starts a new week and new classes. We will be learning about the culture and economy of Milan. We are in school from 10-4ish Monday-Friday so we have afternoons and weekends free. We have already been brainstorming where we want to go next weekend, possibly Florence, Venice, or Verona.
A short walk from our residence is the metro station there we have access to all of of Milan by underground. We have spent a couple of evenings already in Navigli, just one stop away on the metro. The Navigli is the canal district and a nice place to relax at the end of the day. Our first night here we went out as a group and had an apertivo! Where you buy one drink for €10ish and can enjoy an appetizer buffet. Navigli is a fun district with restaurants, gelaterias and a few street vendors selling jewelry and handbags. It is a thriving district seven nights a week.
Saturday we went on a group tour of Milan. Places we visited included a castle, the Scalla and the Duomo. I was in ahh the whole time. On the tour we got to learn a lot about the history of Milan. There is so much to discover in Milan and I can't wait to see it all. Thank you for reading and until next week, ciao!
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