Author: Hailey Henkel

It’s been two weeks now and I finally feel like I’ve taken Milan by the horns; Longhorn horns, specifically. I’ve traveled throughout Milan and felt what it’s like to wander home on the bus without someone there that speaks Italian. It’s been a scary and flustering ride, but also a fun one. I’ve been able to see so many sites in such a short time and really dive into the culture and feel of the city as seen by a native Italian as well as my own eyes of being a native born Texan.

One interesting part of the culture I seem to have picked on fast is how to ask for gelato. I know that I want a coppa and that I want a size piccolo. I also know the main flavors I will be asking for are cioccolato and vaniglia. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m constantly asking for gelato of if it’s because ordering gelato seems to happen in the same way as opposed to a restaurant, which may be different.

I’m also glad for the two classes of Italian we did manage to take. I’ve been able to pick up words and phrases that many Italians say and not feel out of place. One that always seems to stand out is the allora. Every Italian does seem to say this and it’s very apparent that the teacher that taught Italian would always say it as well. This phrase confuses and interests me. Everyone says that it’s meant as a filler of speech, but to be honest, it makes very little sense. Does it mean okay? Does it mean the same as how in English we say, “umm” or “well”? I’m not quite sure and each time I hear it, I feel the need to listen closely to those speaking and figure out where the context is. Context is a very important aspect of understanding a language a person doesn’t know and getting around a country that speaks the language said person doesn’t know.

As I was riding the tren, train in Italian, I managed to overhear the loud speaker through my headphones and listen to them explain that there would be a delay and that we wouldn’t begin departure again until 13:15. I then waited and went back to listening to my headphones when again, minutes later, I heard over the loud speaker “tredieci treinta” and realized that they had extended our delay for another fifteen minutes. After hearing this fact, the Italians around me all made a very loud and exhausted sigh. It was great being a part of the joke and knowing that our tren wouldn’t be leaving soon, and I was even happy that we all shared in this exhaustion together.

Overall, it’s been an interesting stay so far and I’m excited to learn more Italian and really embrace the culture in a way I’ve never experienced before.

 

I was always told how busy New Yorkers are or how fit Austinites seem to be, but I’ve never experienced the level of busy or fit that seems to be buzzing deep in Milano. Milan has the same feel almost as a New Yorker with individuals rushing around every corner and the most active individuals I’ve ever seen jogging or walking dogs and staying fit. Their lifestyle would seem to be unhealthy with lots of carbs in their diet and many meals (second meal, entree, etc.), but they are all so small and fit it’s amazing. I’m also shocked by the level of interaction I’ve had with Milano’s people. I’ve lived in Austin five years, but I was never asked as many questions as I was when I was walking around Milan. Every turn someone is speaking to me in Italian and pointing in some direction. In each case, I’m not only confused but also almost sad that I can’t lend my voice to them or help them in any way I can.

So far, Milan has been a shocking but delightful experience. The people here seem to be welcoming and I haven’t in any way felt like I wasn’t treated fairly, even though I’m an American. The one bit of experience that I feel I don’t quite enjoy is my lack of voice. I feel that even simple tasks of ordering food have become a giant game of hand signals and prayers that the person in front of me speaks English. I honestly wish I knew Italian. I think that would make this entire journey a thousand percent more enjoyable and enriching if I could really appreciate and speak to the people in their own language. Even though this is a minor setback, I’m thankful for the CA’s that have been extremely helpful and are constantly watching and making sure we find our way. Without their help, I think I would have ended up lost or ordering something I shouldn’t have at a restaurant.

Even through all these different culture norms and newfound experiences, I think the most enriching has been seeing the different structures that are present throughout the city. In just Milan’s backyard is the Duomo and the Last Supper, enriching products of history that will forever enrich and bring value to this magnificent place. I think back to my hometown and even Austin and can’t find anything near as beautiful or as timeless as these structures and the art present in Milan. I love the technology that is present in Austin and the ever present start-up culture, but I can’t help but find a deep respect for what’s present in Milan and how it’s survived the test of time. I hope that by the end of this trip I can understand how large the world really is and how small Austin and my hometown seem to be in the expanse of it.