Studying and living in Milan as an American is an incredible opportunity. Being immersed in a completely new culture and history is something that not everyone gets the chance to experience. However, this unique opportunity can also come with several culture shocks.
In no particular order, here are some culture shocks to be aware of before you go to Milan.
Let’s Talk Food
Everybody talks about how good the food is in Italy, but there are quite a few key differences between dining in the United States and dining here.
When it comes to eating in a restaurant, you may already know that you shouldn’t expect to be given ice in your drink. Water is also not complimentary; you have to pay for it, and it usually comes in a 1-liter or liter bottle. If you’re like me and you don’t like sparkling water, make sure you ask for naturale and not frizzante.
When my friends and I were out to eat in a very cute restaurant, we learned the hard way that sending back food was not a common thing. Make sure you are very careful about what you are ordering. Use Google Translate if you aren’t sure what the menu says.
Coffee Culture
Personally, I don’t drink coffee, and it is a little hilarious for Americans and Italians to be so surprised by my preference. Still, I have learned that Italian coffee is very much not the same as American coffee.
Italians typically drink espresso, and it’s served in a tiny little cup. They’ll usually drink it very quickly while standing at the bar instead of sitting and sipping. If you order a latte in Italy, you will be handed a glass of milk. A lot of cafes have “Caffe Americano” on their menu, which sounds more similar to typical American coffee but is actually an espresso drink made with added hot water.
I study fashion design at NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti), and the campus has a cafeteria called The Corner. One time, last semester, my friend attempted to order an iced coffee and was handed a cup that had hot espresso (the typical small Italian amount) with three massive ice cubes. It was honestly hilarious to witness, but I’d suggest not repeating her mistake.
For Fellow Hot Chocolate Lovers
While I don’t enjoy coffee, I do love hot chocolate (and tea). Hot chocolate in Italy is nowhere near the same as what we have in the United States. If you order hot chocolate in Milan, expect to get a mug full of something more similar to chocolate fondue. It’s usually served with a tiny spoon because it’s not really designed to be drank. It’s too thick.
The only way I’ve been able to earnestly satisfy my craving for hot chocolate is by ordering it from one of the many vending machines we have on campus. I have no idea if there are places in the United States that have vending machines that make coffee/hot chocolate/tea, but I’m a little addicted to the tiny little cups of hot chocolate, which are fairly similar to what we’re used to in the United States.
Speaking of School
On the topic of school, one thing that I cannot get used to is how the majority of my professors here just allow students to refer to them very casually. How casually? you may ask… First. Name. Basis. What I had expected, based on some research I did, was to use either prof, professore, nor professoressa. I won’t say that every school or that every professor is like this, but the majority of the professors I’ve had while being here are very informal.
Traveling
If you aren’t from an area, like Washington D.C. or New York, that uses the metro or buses regularly, getting adjusted to public transportation may be a struggle. In a similar vein, if you aren’t used to walking more than driving, Europe, in general, will be a lot to get used to. I go to Howard University, so I was very fortunate to already be used to the way of travel. HOWEVER, in Milan, expect to share sidewalks with parked cars that take up the entire walking space, and motorcycles that treat the sidewalk like a side road.
Miscellaneous Shocks
A few more things: A big thing I didn’t expect at all was something called riposo. Riposo is essentially a midday break that small shops and most restaurants here take in the afternoon. It very, unfortunately, lines up with the time of day that I’m typically hungry. So, if you’re like me, have food at home for when you’re hungry between the hours of 1 to 5 PM.
Another thing I can’t get used to is the cheek kiss thing. I’m thankful that it doesn’t happen as often as I expected, but the three times I’ve experienced it caught me off guard.
At the end of the day, adjusting to life in Milan as an American can and will come with its fair share of surprises, but each culture shock is also an opportunity to learn, grow, and see the world from a new perspective. With an open mind (and a really good pair of walking shoes), you’ll find that these differences don’t just challenge you—they enrich your experience in one of Europe’s most vibrant and stylish cities.