Thoughts I wrote in my journal during my layover to Milan: I am currently waiting in Newark airport without a neck pillow that I so desperately want. This is going to be a loonngg flight. I'm glad I packed snacks. I am feeling pretty normal right now. I don't feel like I am going to spend five months in a foreign country. It will probably hit me when I arrive to the Italian airport. Now that I think about it, this whole experience seems so crazy! I honestly don't know what to expect, so my feelings are numb. I do know that I am going to make the most of this experience and step outside my comfort zone.
When I landed in Milan I was still pretty calm and just bracing myself for the cultural shock. Throughout the whole ride, I was just eager to meet the other students that I'd be studying with and my host family. Although my airport experience was pretty rocky since my luggage got lost and I didn't sleep at all on the flight, I did get the chance to connect with other students at the airport. I also had a wonderful first encounter with my host family. I was nervous about meeting them because I didn't know how they would perceive me (as a black woman), but they welcomed me with open arms and big smiles! My host mom had her homemade lasagna ready for me at the table and my room and bathroom exceeded my expectations. Once I got settled, my host sister Matilde, who is 15, was eager to show me around the city. We took the train to the Duomo, which is breathtaking, and she showed me all the shops that were near. She even treated me to Starbucks which was really sweet.
“Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.”- Mark Twain
This whole week was filled with IES orientation events and seminars. Milan is 6 hours ahead of Chicago, so it was pretty difficult adjusting to the time zone especially since IES had planned events from 8 am - 5 pm everyday. It was so exhausting, but also very refreshing. We had a lot of seminars on being safe in Italy and how to properly conduct ourselves in our new environment. Since this is a new experience for me and I don't know anyone in my program it was fun being able to meet new people from universities all over the states. IES planned a welcome dinner for everyone which left me eager for the days to come because I met some girls who made me feel right at home. Outside of the dinner IES planned a spa trip for us as well as a tour of the Duomo and the fashion district which was really fun.
*** I arrived in Milan January 14, 2019 and I'll be here until May 10th.
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