EduEvo: Hi Lara, welcome to EduEvolution! Why did you choose to go exactly to Milan, Italy for studying?

Ms. Lara: The main reason I had decided to go to Italy for studying was because it is quite close to Serbia, so I have a lot of friends already there who could have helped me assimilate more easily; also, I have been to Italy so many times in the past and I love the ambiance of the country and the way of their living there. The reason I have chosen Milan is because I believe that the North of Italy is economically the most developed region of the country where I could have learnt and seen the first-hand business practice I have studied in the University.

EduEvo: Can you tell us more about an organization of the studying system in Italy? What do you like the most in their concept of studying? Did you have a certain thing which you disliked and which presented an issue for you?

Ms. Lara: Universities in Italy differ in the studying systems and their overall organization. I am generally satisfied with the organization of my University, which consists of 8 weeks of classes and a final exam, with a free week for the resting in the middle of each semester. I am not obliged to be present at the classes, so if I find that a professor teaches in the manner I like, I will attend the lectures and if not, I can study at home by myself; if I have any further questions, I can ask them directly during the lectures or afterwards. In the conclusion, the system allows you to study at your own pace, with more than enough time to prepare yourself for the exams and to have a lot of free time to experience the university life. I don’t have anything bad to say about the organization of the studying system because I think it is well thought-out, but I can only say that from my personal experience from my University.

EduEvo: How does the student life look like?

Ms. Lara: The student life can be amazing if you organize your time and exploit all of the possibilities presented, but it is all on you to make the effort to do so. An everyday look at my University life consisted of having coffees with friends, multiple times a day, attending classes, browsing through stores and meeting up with friends for the evening Aperitives. During the weekends we would usually go out clubbing (honestly, not the best in the world, but there is just everything for everybody there) or we would travel to the other parts of the country or neighbouring countries, doing city-breaks.

EduEvo: How did you adapt to the new way of learning and to a new lifestyle there?

Ms. Lara: Coming from Serbia, I can say that our school system and way of teaching is much harder and stricter, so it was quite easy for me to adapt to the new way of learning as it was much easier to what I used to have. Regarding the lifestyle change, I will say that in the beginning it was a bit harsh, having to meet new people without the presence of my old friends, but that is the beauty of the University life, as it makes you more confident in your future and makes you able to live on your own without the need for having others.

EduEvo: Did you acquire some new interests and which ones?

Ms. Lara: I have acquired an exquisite taste for white wines and cheeses and a deep interest in the Italian cuisine.

EduEvo: Did you adopt the language completely? How much time did you need for that?

Ms. Lara: I haven’t adopted the language yet, but I think that, if the pandemic didn’t occur, I would have known it by now. Just by living there for 4 months, I could understand almost everything and I just have to work on the speaking part now.

EduEvo: How are studying and a new surrounding affecting you personally? 

Ms. Lara: It was a bit hard in the beginning because I was all alone and had no long-time friends, but I quickly gained the self-esteem not to depend on anybody else, but myself. Also, living here made me value my time and presence more, because when you live alone and go to the University, you have lots of new responsibilities and you cherish your free time more, since you don’t have it as much as you used to.

EduEvo: Did Italy and the studying there meet your expectations?

Ms. Lara: I didn’t think so in the beginning, but when I got to know my surroundings better and knew what I wanted to do, it was better than I thought it would ever be.

EduEvo: Did you notice certain changes within you, in terms of looking differently at life and the world in general? Did you overcome certain prejudices you have had, and/or acquire some new skills and traits? 

Ms. Lara: I gained a better understanding that your background and heritage will create a certain picture of yourself, which is a shell you have to break in order to prove yourself to your surroundings. In my personal experience, the image I had based on my nationality was not the best one and I had experienced many cold shoulders, but when you understand that the way people are looking at you is because of fear/lack of knowledge/envy…you can learn how to handle those people and situations. I learned many Italian recipes and I really got into the Italian cuisine; I also started learning a lot about wines which was knowledge I was always eager to possess.

EduEvo: Are there certain prejudices which turned to be completely true? Can you tell us some anecdote, something positive which came out of it? 

Ms. Lara: I didn’t have many prejudices, except that Italians have a very poor schooling system and a lack of knowledge regarding ‘’less important’’ European countries and pretty much everything else, compared to our own. This was the most prominent during our mathematics course. Also, the prejudice that many Italians can’t speak English is 100% true, or any other language, as a matter of fact. The best way I learned Italian was during my day-to-day interactions in the stores. This also goes for my fellow (Italian) colleagues.

EduEvo: Did staying in a foreign country open some dilemma of yours or help you face some of your issues?

Ms. Lara: I used to have doubts regarding my social worth, but moving to a place where nobody knows you, gives you the opportunity to reinvent yourself and present that image to the others, which can gradually become your true personality, you can grow up to it.

EduEvo: What do you consider as the most precious experience from your studying abroad?

Ms. Lara: My most precious experience while studying abroad was going to a small town in Como, Varenna, with my friends and having the most beautiful day, walking over bridges and through the tunnels, empty streets and having a lunch on the bankside with the swans. It was as perfect as from the postcard or some romantic, nostalgic movie.

EduEvo: Can you tell us some interesting fact from the foreign country you are in (some custom or something which made a very strong impression to you, and which differs quite significantly from your homeland)?

Ms. Lara: In my country, Serbia, we like to slowly enjoy our morning coffee, to sit down while having a heavy breakfast, but in Italy, people drink a shot of espresso standing by the bar while eating a small pastry. This was an extremely strange to me, but I love both pastry and coffee so that wasn’t the hardest thing to get used to.

EduEvo: How do the youngsters live in Milan? How safe the city/country is?

Ms. Lara: Compared to my homeland, the city isn’t safe at all, especially for the females, but if you think with your head and follow the basic safety rules, you won’t ever face a problem. The youth usually rally up in their most loved bars which, to be honest, I don’t understand why they like for, as, if you ask me, they are pretty much terrible (aesthetically); they often go to the Aperitifs or to the clubbing. I have to say that the clubs they like to go out to and in the way they go out, most people from Serbia would consider boring or juvenile, but I think it’s like that for us just anywhere.

EduEvo: How long did it take for you to learn in a non-mother tongue, having in mind lots of foreign vocational expressions? Was it more difficult or easier than you expected?

Ms. Lara: I did find it hard to understand in the right away when someone spoke to me in a foreign language, but with wrong pronunciation or a strong accent, but as time goes by and with the effort and compassion, these kinds of obstacles are getting easier to deal with. But I have to say that, in the beginning, it was much more difficult than it is now to get used to it.

EduEvo: What were the conditions for an enrolment to your studies? How did an entrance interview look like?

Ms. Lara: My University required a language exam such as IELTS or TOEFL and SAT exam, I believe. I did the IELTS exam and because I, by accident prepared and did the GMAT exam, they didn’t require the SAT taking. All in all, the requirements are basic and not unattainable. I didn’t have an entrance interview.

EduEvo: Does the university offer a teaching possibility of a native language from the country you are in? Is there any course/workshop organized for the students coming from abroad? 

Ms. Lara: When I arrived, I applied for an Italian language course organized by the University. I have to say that it wasn’t definitely worth EUR 450 and it might be better that I have taken 2-3 month course back home, as it is what you need in the beginning and later on you can find a school in the city for further development of your skills. That’s what the most people do and I can claim that as 100% better solution.

EduEvo: How would you estimate your foreign language knowledge after these finished studies? 

Ms. Lara: If the pandemic didn’t happen, I am certain that I would have been proficient in Italian by now.

EduEvo: What do you think about the subjects? Did you have an option of selecting the objects? 

Ms. Lara: In the first and second year of studies at the University you don’t have the option of choosing subjects, except in the second year, where I was able to choose between German and Spanish, as my second foreign language (French is mandatory). In the third year, you can choose if you want to further develop your knowledge in the Economics or Management. I am generally very pleased with the subjects, as they provide basic knowledge of the past, present and future of both Economics and Management in business.

EduEvo: How many years do the studies last?

Ms. Lara: My (bachelor) studies lasted for 3 years.

EduEvo: Do you have a possibility to have some organized praxis and if so, is that further praxis offered by the university you have attended?

Ms. Lara: I did have possibilities to attend praxis in certain banks, corporations, law firms …but due to the pandemic, I wasn’t able to. However, there are online meetings being organized with the companies that can help one to find a praxis or certain jobs in the future. On the such meetings, it is being discussed how can one prepare a CV, how to act when at a business meeting/interview etc…

EduEvo: Is there enough spare time to have a certain part-time job besides studying?

Ms. Lara: Since classes aren’t mandatory, there is certainly some spare time left to get a side job.

EduEvo: If you would be again in a situation to choose, would you choose both, the same university and country?

Ms. Lara: I am 100% sure that, if given the chance, I would have chosen the same University in Italy, as the one has exceeded all of my expectations and needs.

EduEvo: What was the hardest thing for you? Which problems did you face during your stay in a foreign country?

Ms. Lara: The hardest thing for me was living alone in a place where I didn’t know many people. Maybe if had a roommate, things would have been different, but I managed to grow and learn from all the struggles I have had. Also, making friends with the Italians was hard because they had a lot of prejudice towards Balkan people. I still haven’t made quite as many foreign friends as I would like, but I can’t do anything except blame the pandemic for that, as I didn’t have enough time and opportunities to do so.

EduEvo: Give a couple of tips to the students, as well as tell us your experience on facing this issue for all who are to enrol onto the studies in a foreign country.

Ms. Lara: Be prepared to work for friendship and time of the others, without losing your self-respect. As I said in the beginning, it was hard for me to make Italian friends as they didn’t want to talk to anyone in a language different than Italian. I went to an international course taught in English, so the fact that they knew English enough to communicate is certain, they just didn’t want to. Don’t be shy to approach the people first, because this is the University; we are all here to make friends and meet new people. If someone doesn’t like you, they are the ones with a problem and you shouldn’t doubt yourself. Being open and friendly is a positive characteristic and should be used to your advantage. Go out as much as you can to the places where other people from your University go, as it is the best way to meet your fellows and peers. Add everyone on social media and don’t be shy to reach out for a coffee. Try as hard as you can to learn Italian, as it will take you further in regards to meeting new people, and it can only be a plus for you to master an extra language. If you can, try to make plans and travel with your friends, especially with your Italian friends, because that is the best way to experience life in Italy (duh).

EduEvo: Thank you very much for your time.