IULM - Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione

My name is Marina Rezk, and I study Global Studies at HLK, Jönköping University. In my third semester, the spring of 2024, I had the amazing chance to go on an exchange semester at the Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione (IULM) in Milan, Italy.

I decided to go on exchange because I didn't want to miss this amazing opportunity. Studying abroad is a chance for personal growth and experiencing a new culture. Living in a vibrant city like Milan, known for its rich culture and exciting lifestyle, really attracted me.

Milan is a lively city where there’s always something happening. It’s famous for events like Fashion Week, where well-known designers present their latest collections. But Milan has much more to offer! You can enjoy vintage shopping at various markets and visit iconic sights like the stunning Duomo cathedral, Leonardo Da Vinci's gallery, San Ciro Stadium, and try a wide range of restaurants with delicious food. Getting around the city is easy thanks to the efficient public transport system with buses, trams, and the metro.

At IULM, I met many international students, making it easy to make friends from different cultures. The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) organized an orientation week filled with fun activities like city tours and dinners, helping everyone connect. The university is modern with a large campus that includes several buildings. During my time there, I took five courses at once from February to May, followed by exams from May to July. I chose courses like Introduction to Public and Private Law, Law and Communication, Sociology of Consumption and Corporate Culture, Event Management and Sponsorship, and Public Speaking. Each course was interesting, and I appreciated the variety offered.

The school provides campus accommodation, but spots are limited, and the housing typically involves shared rooms and kitchens. Because of this, my friend and I decided to find private accommodation instead. We used HousingAnywhere.com, which is a secure site for finding places to stay all over Milan. It's important to note that Milan has high rent prices and substantial deposits, we paid 18,000 SEK in total, which meant 9,000 SEK each.

One big difference I noticed between studying in Milan and Jönköping was the course structure. At home, I was used to taking one or two courses at a time, but in Milan, I studied five courses simultaneously, with specific weeks for exams. Although it was a bit confusing at first, I quickly adapted and managed the workload.

I also took the opportunity to travel around Italy during my exchange. I visited popular tourist spots like Lake Como, Portofino, Cinque Terre and Rapallo. For each destination, I traveled by train which was super easy and affordable, and I found great places to stay using booking.com, but there are many sites where you can find low-cost apartments.

Looking back on my exchange experience, I can say that the best part was everything! From studying new subjects to traveling and immersing myself in a different culture, I grew a lot as a person. I became more open-minded and eager to learn about other ways of life, and I made lasting connections.

To anyone thinking about going on an exchange semester, my strongest advice is to go for it! The experience is incredibly rewarding, and you definitely won’t regret it. Embrace the chance to explore and learn, it’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss!