Homestay or Apartment in Milan?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey Everyone!</p>

<p>I'm currently a sophomore in college and will be studying abroad in Fall 2013 through IES Milan - I'm currently debating between housing in an apartment or in a home-stay. The apartments are located throughout the city of Milan in a furnished apartment with 4-6 other students. There would also be a Community Assistant living in the apartment, which is an Italian student who would "guide" us while living in Milan. I would be living in a double room in an apartment.</p>

<p>My other option would be to live in a home-stay; Since I only speak limited Italian, I was told that most home-stay families speak English to some degree. I know that Italian's, in general, are very warm and friendly. However, I'd still be worried that I wouldn't "click" with my home-stay family, and I wouldn't become close with the other IES Milan students who are living together in apartments.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for your help! I would appreciate any input that could help me make a decision...</p>

2

<p>Questions to ask:

  1. Do you wish to learn Italian?
  2. What will the nationalities of the other students in the apartment be, other than the guide?</p>

<p>Honestly, if you want a glorified holiday then living in a flat with lots of other internationals will be fine. If you want cultural immersion and language learning, then go for the home stay. FWIW when I was UN high school I did two week-long homestays in France and Germany (and later hosted the other family’s offspring at my own home). My language skills improved immeasurably, but you do have to be quite determined to speak their language even when they speak English if you want to get the most out if it</p>