5 TOP TIPS

1. Find a place to live before you move - there are a lot of great websites that can help you but I found http://erasmusu.com the most helpful as you can find a variety of nice rooms for a good price range.

2. Try and go to as many exhibitions, trips, events, concerts, nights out as you can, as that’s the best way to meet new contacts, make friends, have great experiences - Milan is absolutely beautiful and there is always so much going on and so much to see. ESN are really good for cheap nights out and trips around Italy and abroad.

3. Stock up on medical products before you come out - I know it sounds weird but I must've spent at least €40 worth on plasters, paracetamol / ibuprofen and cold medicine. When you can purchase a packet of paracetamol for 50p compared to €7.50 you do get a bit annoyed at yourself.

4. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you move, as it comes extremely handy especially if you have access to Google Maps, Citymapper and BlaBlaCar when travelling or trying to find locations or ways of getting home. It’s not common in Italy to unlock phones so it might be difficult to find a legit place that will do it for you.

5. Plan your trips as much as you can before you leave the house / apartment - Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than going travelling unprepared as you waste valuable time & money, and you start to panic about how to get home rather than enjoying the experience.

Other tips - Bring passport photos and a memory stick, get a Milano travel card - you can use these on the metro, trams and trains - but make sure you put money on it before the 1st of every month as you will get a €35 fine if caught without a ticket or a valid card, sign up to ESN - and when you apply for trips make sure to do it as soon as they open, as they tend to sell out really fast.

#tips