So, guys, here is news fresh from our fashion fabulous reporter Megan Jones in Milan, Italy! This week, Megan tells us how and why you should go go go study abroad at the first chance you get!

Thanks for the introduction Siobhan!

As mentioned, I’m living in Milan this year on an exchange. For anyone interested in studying abroad/exchanging, I have only one tip:

GO, and don’t turn back.

This has been an experience of a lifetime so far — nothing that you could experience on a vacation or backpacking trip. So just do it! (Oh, and FYI, there are plenty of opportunities for extra scholarships to go! The Gilman International Scholarship is one.)

The school I attend in Milan is NABA; it’s completely different from Pratt, and other schools in the U.S., for that matter. You just have to be optimistic and take everything as it comes. The way the Europeans approach design is totally different! I’m glad I have the opportunity to experience both.

Pratt is an AMAZING school; it is very serious about deadlines, and the amount and quality of student work is unbelievable. NABA, on the other hand, focuses on developing their students’ creative processes … a lot of thinking and not as many assignments, but the time spent on projects is hardly less.

What should you expect when arriving in Milan?

Well, if you ask, most Italians think Milan is not their best city. They prefer Rome or Florence. For me, Milan is the perfect balance of the Italian culture and a busy industrial city, and don’t forget the great FASHION (which Rome lacks in comparison … to me, it’s too touristy). Milan’s nightlife is also great — the Milanese know how to party.

What you should be warned about:

Some think it is not all that clean, but who looks down? Just look at the people passing you by; it’s more interesting! Milan also has tons of graffiti. Some are just bad scribbles, but on the flip side, there is a lot of really cool street art that is worth looking out for.

The siesta time: Virtually everything (that is not close to the Domo) is closed for lunch time. This can be an inconvenience and a hard adjustment, coming from the land of 24-hour drugstores. And for the Americans — the exchange rate will get you!


Hope you enjoy the random street art I spotted today!

Reporting from Milan,
MJ