Ten days down. Ten days full of adventure, shopping, and of course, endless amounts of carbs. I came to Milano knowing very little about the culture and the city itself, but in these last ten days, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. My apartment is where it all began. As the days pass, I’m learning how to flush the toilet, remembering how to turn the lights on before I enter the room, and forever questioning myself on which trash can everything goes in.

Window displays, a work of art to show the world what designers have created. Having the opportunity to walk by hundreds of beautifully balanced window displays is unreal. I am constantly learning and taking notes on how to best display products to best catch the eye of any consumer walking by.

From the apartment to the streets, my knowledge continues. Before I arrived, the thought of public transportation lingered in my head. How does one get a ticket? Or how am I supposed to know what goes where? I can now say that I have successfully taken the tram, bus, and subway. I wouldn’t say that I have conquered the subject, but hey maybe one day.

Little did I know I would instantly make connections with girls from all over the United States. After 15 days, my new friends and I have truly become a family.  I can’t wait to see what this semester has in store for us.

As I explore the city, my mind is moving a hundred places a minute. From the architecture to the beautiful window displays, and to the constant aroma of pizza and pasta; one thing strikes my attention the most; that being, the life of an Italian. From their incredible style, to the way they speak, and even down to the way they hold their cigarettes, they have a beautiful and romantic way about everything.

This colorful food truck, filled with sweet desserts, caught my eye as I was exploring the city one afternoon. 

Taking it all in can be rather exhausting, but in the end I couldn’t be happier to be in this beautiful city they call Milano. Day by day I continue to learn and grow, but hey give me few weeks and I’ll be ready to truly live the life of an Italian, and by four months I’ll be a pro.

Ending the day watching the sunset in my neighborhood is both peaceful and relaxing. It’s the small things that make me sit back and realize how thankful I am for the direction my life is going. 

Haylee is a Missouri State University attending Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti this spring 2017.