Erasmus in Milan - EFPSA Study & Travel Abroad

Hello! My name is Leticia Gonçalves, and I am in the first year of the Master’s in health psychology at the Institute of Applied Psychology (ISPA) in Lisbon.

I have always dreamt of studying in another country. Being Brazilian and living in Portugal, I felt I had already taken a big step, but I wanted to go even further. The desire to experience the academic world in a new cultural setting led me to take part in an exchange program. In September 2023, I started my Erasmus at Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca.

When I arrived in Italy, I found a warm country, kind people, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant culture. One of the things I liked most was how easy it was to travel. Every small city I visited had its own charm, and each new place made me fall in love a little more. Seeing such beautiful landscapes was amazing, especially because I love photography.

There was always another city to visit. Six months weren’t enough! My favorite cities were Rome and Turin. Rome, as they say, is truly an open-air museum. And Turin was an incredible surprise! I had heard good things about the city, but it went beyond my expectations.

There were a few things I wanted to do for the first time, and travelling alone was one of them. When we are in our routine, it’s hard to step out and try something new.

But for some reason, when we are abroad, we tend to make decisions a bit more impulsively, especially when it comes to travelling. Everything feels easier: if I think, “I want to travel alone,” I just go, without the many concerns I would have in my daily life. That’s how I took my first solo trip to another country, in Paris, France. I can say it’s truly liberating to plan an entire trip entirely based on my own desires.

At the beginning of the Erasmus program, I took an Italian course that helped a lot. Besides learning the language, I met amazing people and formed a group of friends with whom I shared trips, dinners, and unforgettable moments.

Still, like any new experience, there were challenges. The biggest one was the language barrier. At first, communicating was difficult since my Italian was still very basic, and not everyone spoke English.

All the classes were in Italian, although the exams were in English. It was really challenging to stay focused in lectures given in a language I wasn’t fluent in.

To overcome this, I asked Italian students for help, whether through summaries or explanations of things I hadn’t understood in class. They were always very helpful, and in the end, it became a great way to make friends with locals (since during Erasmus, it’s usually much easier to connect with other exchange students than with native students).

Doing an exchange in a big city has its advantages and challenges. On one hand, there’s always something to do: events, museums, restaurants, and countless places to explore. On the other hand, it can be a bit complicated, especially when you don’t live near the city center. The distances were always long: the university was far from the center, the center was far from home, and home was far from the university. Plus, my friends often lived in different neighborhoods.

Experiencing Italian culture up close was fun. It was interesting to see some cultural stereotypes come to life. Italians truly take food very seriously and gesture a lot with their hands when they speak. These little details made the experience even more immersive.

This exchange experience changed me in ways I didn’t expect. I became more independent, confident, and open to new challenges. I realised I am stronger and more adaptable than I thought, and that stepping out of my comfort zone can be an incredible opportunity for growth.

I would definitely recommend studying abroad to any student. It’s a unique chance to explore the world, face challenges, and learn more about yourself. More than just an academic experience, it’s a life-changing journey that prepares you for the future in a way no other experience can.