A Chronicle of a Milano Bra-mance

Thirty of us came from across the globe to join an inclusive, diverse cross-cultural team in the same double-degree master's in international communications. After a first semester in either the Netherlands or Lithuania, we each had to decide where to go next for the second-semester Erasmus exchange: a minor in PR & Digital Marketing in Leeds, UK, or Public Affairs in Milan, Italy. While the majority of our class picked Leeds, a few of us chose Milan: myself, Ana (from Russia), Anna (from Germany), Lily (from Canada), Tom (from the US), and Barbara (from Brazil).

Ana and I were rarely in touch or hung out during our first semester in the Netherlands, but we began talking more often when we realized we were among the few going to Milan. In the weeks before we left, we decided to team up and research rent and living costs — which turned out to be a bit higher than we had expected.

@ no. 10 Viale Famagosta

We spent our first weeks in the city in a small AirBnB, with plans to search for separate accommodations. Then Ana got sick the second week, and instead of searching we watched the rain pour down outside while I did my best to take care of her. Cramped together like then, we soon learned to trust and depend on each other, so it was only natural that when Ana recovered and we resumed looking, it was for a shared place.

We soon found a cozy flat that we could afford at no 10 Viale Famagosta, within walking distance of our university Libera Università di Lingue e Comunicazione (IULM). The only problem was that it was a one-bedroom flat, and we had to share the most personal space - a bedroom! We had to get to know each other quickly, so we did. Luckily, it turned out we had quite a bit in common:

• We both came with fresh minds intent on absorbing new ideas and exciting experiences.

• We both loved music, which helped break the ice and the barrier of us both speaking our second language.

• We were both independent yet supportive while co-habitating.

• Our similar mentalities helped us transcend our cultural differences.

Soon those commonalities led us to support each other through some tough moments of culture shock (and dealing with the notorious local bureaucracy and language barrier). I could come home and a simple question from Ana (What would you like to eat later? And some wine, then?) would brighten my mood. Meanwhile, Ana captured our 'bra-mance' life in Milano through her IG stories while I started taking photos of some of the little things surrounding our life at the Famagosta flat.

Balcony, Tears, Sun Kisses, and Pizzeria

The balcony was the silent witness to our ups and downs, laughter, and tears. Sitting there under the blue sky and feeling the warm breeze went a long way to making up for the depressing cold of Groningen.

I could sit there sighing about some issue or another, and Ana would come out and offer to get some pieces of Milanese pizza from the traditional family pizzeria downstairs. It was always an excellent idea!

Aperitivo by the canals

Aperitivo is a Milanese tradition where bars offer a buffet of small dishes for the price of a drink. It is a popular way to socialize and enjoy a meal before dinner. It typically includes finger food such as pizza, pasta, chips, cheese, and olives and is served with a Spritz, a famous Italian cocktail made with Aperol or Campari, Prosecco, and soda water.

Needless to say, we loved this concept: Sprizzo for the summer, unlimited access to pizza, pasta, chips, cheese, olives… enough to bring us back at least once a month. It’s one way we felt well-suited by Milanes life, though we should have counted how many calories were consumed.

Milanese Love and War

Love and War seem intensely built and created the Milanese life experience. People in this city seemed more expressive than anywhere else we'd ever been, especially when we had not visited the South of Italy yet, and since we had just relocated from the far northern city of Holland. Hand gesture was an official language that showed love, anger, excitement, compliments, complaints, and other emotions. So fascinating! Love and War were even spoken through sounds from subtle to loud, from whispers to noises.

Spontaneous road trip, Ladies’ honeymoon, and Primitivo

While we were stuck with assignments every week at the Famagosta Flat, Ana sometimes turned to me and said either of us should go out to see some guys in town, which we gave a shot but soon got bored of. Then on a random weekday, Shari - one of our Italian classmates - invited us to join her on a spontaneous road trip early the next day. We couldn’t say no, so we got prepared, planned, packed, and into Shari's car at 6 AM to pick up Vanessa - another Bella - inside the city, then we were off to Genova (aka Genoa).

On the way there, we decided this would be our honeymoon across the north of Italy, from Milan to Genova - where we had our first sips of the famous Italian red wine Primitivo - to Portofino and Firenze (aka Florence). For the first time since coming to Italy, we found ourselves free and happy when visiting all the small alleys, getting to know the locals and restaurants where we had decent food & wine, talking, dancing, and even teaming up with other female travelers in town. This spontaneous trip left us with many unforgettable memories, so I hope to dedicate another blog to it later.

For Ana - my special city mate

Living together for five months is a good test for whether a friendship will last five years! I woke up every day and saw Anastasia - the first person to whom I said 'Buongiorno’, the first I had breakfast with, and the last I saw when those days ended. We could easily have gotten bored of each other. Indeed, personal space was crucial for us, but we felt empty whenever the other was away, since every day in Milano we ate the same food, slept on almost the same bed (the two singles were dwarf-sized), and laughed at the same jokes.

Though five months is a short time compared to to our entire lives, it was plenty of time to get to know her true self: independent, humorous, generous, warm-hearted, optimistic, self-conscious, mindful, open-minded, inquisitive, tolerant, sensible, honest, modest, elegant, beautiful, smart, and original! It has been proven (by me) that she deserves love and more.

Happy to know you, sweetie!!