For any student studying abroad through the IES: Milan program, the first 3 weeks of classes consist of what is known as the “Intensive Italian” program. Upon arriving in Milan, students are assigned to Italian classes of various levels, either 100 (for those who have little or no Italian experience), 150 (1-2 years experience), 200 (3-4 years experience), or 300/350 (advanced), based on a test completed as part of your application. Each Italian class counts as 6 credits. Although, if you have never taken Italian before, you are not required to take this test. Also, if you don’t agree with what level you were assigned to, you can speak to one of the academic counselors and change classes. Since I had never taken an Italian class in my life, I was assigned to Italian 100.

The first 2 weeks of the “Intensive Italian” program includes 2.5 hour classes 5 days a week, from 9 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. A quiz is also given on each Friday. The classes aren’t particularly bad since at 10:30, each class stops for a 15 minute break. In true Italian fashion, nearly every student goes across the street to a bar (a cafe in Italy) to get espresso, cappuccino, lattes, or brioches (basically flavored croissants). The last week consists of 3 hour classes every day and a final exam on Friday. While three hour classes seem dreadful when looking at them initially, it is not hard to make it through when it is your only class for the day and you are done at noon!

In summary, Italian class so far has been very manageable. Even though I am not a “language person,” I have done well on each homework assignment and quiz/test. I actually look forward to my Italian class each day since it allows me to better communicate on a daily basis with people throughout the city.

During the second week of classes, IES students register for the rest of their classes for the duration of the semester. Since I crafted my schedule at Penn State to allow me to fulfill my general education credits while studying in Italy, I scheduled 3 classes (3 credits each) in addition to my Italian class, for a total of 15 credits this semester. After having attended each of my classes this week, here is a synopsis of my courses and what requirements they fulfill at Penn State:

• AH 340 Cracking the Code: Leonardo da Vinci and Renaissance Art in Milan, 1400-1500 (Counts as GA and GAU)

This class is an introduction to the history of Renaissance art, especially focusing on the city of Milan and its famous citizen, Leonardo da Vinci. Exploring his impact on the city and his accomplishments while he lived in Milan, this class explores the history of da Vinci and his artistic, social, and cultural impact. This is a more hands-on art class as it features numerous field trips through the city to visit some of his famous works like The Last Supper, his fresco ceiling at the Castello Sforzesco, and his Codice Atlanticus at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. We are also required to take an original da Vinci discovery or breakthrough and come up with a way that this idea could be enhanced in the modern age for our final project.

• PO 342 The EU and the Process of European Integration (Counts as GS and GAU)

This course explores the process of European integration and its cultural, social, economic, and political causes and effects. Serving as an introductory political science class, this class gives an understanding of the institutional organization, advancement, and relationship of the EU with nations such as the United States, Russia, and China. Due to the current monetary concerns facing the EU with the Euro and the constantly shifting cultural landscape of Europe, I think this will be a fun class to get a better understanding of European politics and government.

• FS 335 Filmmaking in Milan: Discovering the City through Italian Cinema (Counts as GA and GAU)

Designed to allow students to discover Italian culture, customs, and life through cinema and filmmaking, this class is a hands-on cinema class that allows students to write, produce, act in, and edit their own movies. This course allows students to learn about the production of movies and well as become technically competent in shooting and editing. Featuring interactions with native Italians throughout the city and screenings of historically an culturally significant Italian films, this class should be a fun way to creatively understand Milan and Italy.

Look next week for a recap of my upcoming weekend, featuring 2 days in Monaco and a 3 day ski-trip in the Alps!

Location: Milano, Italy