Semester Abroad in Italy at the Politecnico di Milano - Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Urban Design (BA)

Why did you want to do a semester abroad?

I did the semester abroad to gain an initial insight into how teaching is organised at a college or university abroad and how it differs from teaching in Germany or at a university of applied sciences. It was also very important for me to get to know a new city as well as the life and culture of the country in question. I was also very motivated to meet a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.

How did you prepare yourself?

In my opinion, the application process was very straightforward. I sent my documents to the FHP on time and received feedback after 8-10 weeks about which university I had been accepted to. Then it was clear to me: I was going to Milan! For admissions to the Politecnico, I had to upload a small portfolio and also register at the university. In preparation, the Politecnico organised online seminars in which all the important information was explained. I also received regular emails summarising all the relevant details. I didn't have to apply for a visa as I have a German passport. The only thing I had to do was apply for an Italian tax number (Codice Fiscale), which is required for the metro ticket, for example.

How did the flat search go?

I actually found my shared flat via WG-Gesucht. The flat was located between the main railway station Centrale FS and the Isola district. Two other German Erasmus students lived there with me. I would recommend visiting the flat in person before moving in, unless you book through a verified platform. Everything was fine in our shared flat. Before I found this flat share, I searched on various platforms such as Spotahome and DoveVivo. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything there that appealed to me.

What was it like to study at the partner university?

The semester began with an introductory week organised by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). There were different activities every day - everything from picnics and parties to city tours.I chose a total of three courses:Furniture Design: In this course, we analysed an assigned piece of furniture and then had to make changes to it. Energy + Form: This was about analysing the building physics of modern buildings using various software programs. Architectural Design Studio: In this course, we were asked to design a university campus in Prishtina, Kosovo. All three courses ended with an oral presentation as an examination. Unlike in Potsdam, there are two examination dates at the Politecnico right from the start, so after the first examination you can theoretically improve your grade at the second date. About working at the Politecnico: There are no fixed studios, so you have to look for a new place to work every day - which can sometimes mean that you can't find a place. However, the university is open around the clock.

How high was the cost of living? What leisure and sports activities did you take advantage of?

Everyday life can be cheaper in some areas than in Germany - for example, shopping, second-hand clothes or, above all, coffee and pizza. I often went out in the evening to various bars, mainly in Porta Venezia or Isola. There are lots of really nice places there where you can also get drinks at a reasonable price. Apart from that, Milan also has a wide range of really good museums, some of which were free for architecture and Design students. As studying at the Politecnico was quite intensive, I spent a lot of my free time at the university. We often met up at someone's house to work and cook together.

Conclusion and tips

The whole Erasmus experience is definitely something worthwhile. You get to know lots of people in a completely new city and discover the surrounding area at the same time. It's an incredibly intense time in which you make lots of new contacts and quickly develop close friendships. It definitely helps to speak Italian, but it is absolutely not necessary to find your way around the city. You learn what you need to know pretty quickly, and you can get very far with English anyway. I would recommend finding a good balance between life outside the university and your studies. Also: get out of Milan sometimes! There are many beautiful cities just an hour's train journey away.