Paul’s Study Away Experience

by Paul Wallace ’27

As my time studying abroad in Milan draws to a close, there’s an Italian phrase I keep returning to; “ogni momento è unico” which translates to “every moment is unique.” The sentiment actually originates from the Japanese philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e, though I found the quote inscribed in the entrance archway to a garden in the Italian mountain village of Bormio. The international provenance of this phrase mirrors my experience of Milan, a growing city of immigrants of manifold nationalities. The phrase itself reminds me to cherish each moment.

Experiences I’ve cherished include skiing in the Italian Alps, attending several shows during Milan fashion week, and finding the perfect cannolo in Rome. I’ve also enjoyed exploring the culture by reading literature translated from Italian and volunteering as an English teaching assistant at a local high school. There, I met students from all over Italy and the world, reminding me of Milan’s international character, in which cultural exchange is a way of life. For Easter, I taught the students about American traditions such as egg hunts and the consumption of Peeps and jelly beans, while the students taught me about Italian fare such as colomba cakes and giant chocolate eggs. During another visit, I asked for travel recommendations, and the students asked me about my favorite American fast food restaurants.

While some travelers complain that Milan lacks the Italian charm of Rome or Florence, I counter that Milan blends the best of local culture with imports from the rest of the world. In the clubs, DJs play remixes of classic Italian songs such as “Gloria” and “Sarà perché ti amo” alongside music in Spanish, Portuguese, English, and other languages. While Rome and southern Italy are notorious for a relaxed pace of life where lateness becomes customary, the Milanese tend to limit their fashionable tardiness to a margin of fifteen minutes. Though the usual polite excuse blames dysfunctional public transport, Milan’s network of trams, buses, and metro trains runs more efficiently than anywhere else in the country, allowing residents and tourists alike to traverse varying neighborhoods spread out across the city in little time. 

Milan also balances la dolce vita with its business environment. Nowhere can one see this contrast better than in the Porta Nuova neighborhood, where the neoclassical gate to the city stands before the city’s collection of contemporary glass-fronted skyscrapers. One of my most interesting professors this semester teaches a styling course at a local fashion institute. On my first day of class, she emphasized the importance of networking, but instead of suggesting spamming CEOs’ inboxes or scouring LinkedIn connections, she listed fashionable cafes and bars where one should seek to meet people through the Milanese custom of early evening drinks and snacks called aperitivo.

While I’ve still yet to master other Italian customs such as the double-cheek kiss or complex cafe etiquette, this multifaceted city continually reminds me that almost everyone is somewhat foreign to the culture and, when few norms are absolute, adaptability becomes the most important virtue. When I return to the US, I hope to remember that not all work happens behind a desk and that relationships are the most important investments. Just as every moment is unique, so is every person. In the fall, I look forward to seeing some of my favorite people again on campus and, of course, in the English and Creative Writing department.