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Study Abroad in Milan: Everything Students Should Know

If you're interested in studying abroad in Milan, Italy, there are quite a few things you need to prepare to make sure the trip goes off without a hitch.

Whether you're well on your way and have already started the process, or you are still trying to figure out if studying abroad in Milan is right for you, this guide will give you some must-know information.

We're going to be covering:

How to study abroad in Milan
The visa process
Tips about living in Milan

If you're looking for information about studying abroad in Italy in general, not just Milan, check out our Italy Study Abroad guide here.

?? Please note: the specific advice in this guide is for US citizens looking to study abroad in Italy.

Should you study abroad in Milan?

Milan is a popular choice for students looking to study abroad in Europe.

Located in Northern Italy, Milan is the largest city in the country when it comes to population, making it a mecca for food, fashion, business, and education.

In Milan alone, there are several universities, which means there are a lot of students in the city too. Being such a student-friendly city makes it that much more appealing to foreigners looking for an international immersion.

Not only are there multiple universities, but the universities in Milan are considered very high-quality, with choices like the University of Milan and Bocconi.

Adding to its student-friendly vibe, Milan is a culturally-rich city with museums, landmarks, and a ton of things to do. It's also known for its exciting nightlife, which, of course can be appealing to university students.

Being in the Northern part of the country gives Milan a more central location in Europe, making it easy to travel to nearby countries like Spain, France, Switzerland, and Austria. With an international airport and efficient trains, weekend trips (whether in or out of Italy) are also very accessible.

Milan tends to draw fashion-lovers with its history in the fashion industry. Luxury shoppers can find over 200 luxury stores, including world-famous brands like Versace and Prada.

Before traveling, it is important to know that living in Milan can be fairly expensive in comparison to other Italian cities.

How to study abroad in Milan

If you're ready to get the ball rolling, there are some general steps you will need to go through in order to study abroad in Milan.

Find a program that interests you. Whether it's a program through your current university (if you're mid-degree), a third party company that offers study abroad programs, or you're an independent student looking to apply for school in Italy, first, you will need to find the program/university that best aligns with your needs.
Make sure you meet the visa requirements. To study abroad for a year in Milan, you will need to get the appropriate visa. Italian study visas have several criteria you have to meet in order to apply. You can learn more about them in this guide: Studying Abroad in Italy for a Year: The Complete Guide
Apply for the program/enrollment. Before applying for your visa, you'll need to apply for your program/university and receive an admissions letter showing that your application has been accepted. This is a key part of the visa application process.
Apply for your visa. Once you have applied for your study abroad program/university in Milan and have been accepted, it's time to apply for your visa. In the States, this consists of gathering all of the required documents and then booking an appointment for an in-person meeting at the Italian consulate that serves your state, even if it isn't the nearest to you.
Get ready to head to Milan! Depending on what program you chose or how you're traveling, you will need to start preparing to live in Milan. This includes things like learning about the city, finding accommodation, and getting everything ready for the big move.

Tips for living in Milan

Milan has great public transportation, but a lot of traffic. With subways, trams, buses, and taxis, there are a lot of inexpensive options for getting around Milan. Because it's a large city with heavy traffic, the subway might be faster than a taxi or a bus - it just depends.

Fashion - everywhere. Milan is a known fashion capital, meaning people in the city tend to dress quite nicely, even wearing suits or heels daily. It won't be uncommon to see women accessorizing with designer handbags and seasonal wardrobes.

Keep a couple of euros (coins) with you at all times. Like many countries in Europe, you may have to pay to use public restrooms in Italy. It's worth it to make sure you always have a few 50 cent pieces on you, just in case.

You don't have to tip at restaurants, but you can. Italian restaurant and bar staff make a livable wage, so tipping isn't expected or necessary. If the service is particularly good, leaving a euro or two will suffice, though it's perfectly acceptable to leave nothing at all.

Shop until you drop - during the designated sale periods. In the States, big sales happen much more frequently in short bursts throughout the year (Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.). In Italy, there are two sale periods. Each lasts for a couple of months. One is January-March, and the other is July-September (make sure you check what the specific dates are, as there will be start and end dates). These "winter" and "summer" sales are when you can get amazing discounts all over the city.

Milan has Uber. Just so you know ?

Prepare for four seasons. Milan enjoys all four seasons. This is something to keep in mind when you're packing your wardrobe for the year. It does snow a little bit in Milan!

Dinner is later. Europeans generally eat dinner later than Americans do, and Milan is no exception. It's not uncommon for Italians to eat dinner at 8 or 9 pm. In fact, many restaurants close between lunch and dinner.

Key takeaways

Milan is the biggest city (by population) in Italy and has many universities, making it a popular destination for students.
To study abroad in Milan for a year, US citizens need a long stay visa.
There are eligibility requirements you will need to meet in order to apply for an Italian long stay study visa.
Milan is popular for its fashion scene, bustling economy, food, landmarks, universities, and nightlife.