Alumni Interview with Kathleen Blehl

What inspired you to go abroad?

I was inspired to go abroad after participating in two summer, study abroad programs: one in Czech Republic and one in China. At the end of each program, I found myself reluctant to leave because I developed a desire to learn more about the global world, and fell in love with the person I was when I lived in a different culture and environment, one that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and reflect on the person I wanted to become. I yearned to go abroad again for a longer period of time, which ultimately led me to study abroad in Milan for an entire year.

Why did you choose IES Abroad?

I chose IES Abroad Milan because of the wide variety that the program provided in terms of academics, cultural activities, and living arrangements. Foremost, I was attracted to the program because of the class offerings at IES, which included classes that weren't offered at Villanova University. Most notably, for me, these included Photography and Fashion Marketing. Additionally, I really liked the opportunity to take classes at local universities (I took classes at both Bocconi and Cattolica). These partner classes were great because I was able to learn in a global setting and meet both international and local students.

Secondly, I chose this program because I was attracted to the cultural aspect of Milan, which included events in fashion, art, and food. The program offered "Bucket List" activities each week and trips which were a great way to learn more about the culture. Lastly, I chose this program because I liked the variety of housing opportunities. I was able to chose between an apartment, dorm, or host family. This was important to me because housing greatly impacted my experience.

What was your favorite part about Milan?

My favorite part of Milan was the fashion. I currently run a fashion and lifestyle blog, so living in the fashion capital of the world for a year allowed me to fully discover my style and share unique content with my readers. I also loved going to fashion exhibits and museums like the Armani Silos Museum, and attending various fashion events during Fashion Week.

What made your experience abroad unique?

My experience abroad was unique because I opted to study abroad for a full academic year, rather than just a semester. What's funny is that I initially signed up for only the fall semester and decided after about a month into the program that I wanted to extend for the full year. I still remember the exact moment when I decided to extend my stay.

I was walking home to my apartment after eating at a famous pizza place right by the magnificent Duomo. I realized I had already fallen in love with the city, the people, the culture, and the fashion. I couldn't fathom the thought of leaving, and thought to myself, "Wait, I don't have to!". That night, I contacted my abroad advisor and he assured me that I could still graduate on time. I presented the idea to my parents and they fully supported my decision, a decision that was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The IES Abroad staff in Milan was unbelievably supportive and eager to make Milan feel like home. I had a special relationship with them, as I had the opportunity to get to know them for a full year. They became my family while I was abroad and I will always be thankful for their support.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

There's not much I would change about my experience because I really tried to make the most of each day during my nine month long journey. After the end of each day, I would ask myself, "What's one thing I did today that I couldn't do back home?". This simple question motivated me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new each and every day. Some days this action was as small as going to a new restaurant and having the confidence to order in Italian, or as big as exploring unique countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and even Morocco.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

There really was no "typical day" in Milan aside from attending class and working at my internship. I don't like routine, and therefore, was always trying new restaurants and exploring new places in Milan. At the beginning of each week, I would make a list of restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities that I wanted to do that week. I did this because I knew that I didn't want to leave at the end of the program and say, "I wish I had done more".

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I really enjoyed working on my fashion blog during my free time as this encompassed observing trends, shopping at local boutiques, exploring new areas, and connecting with photographers. I say this encompassed so many different tasks because it truly did!

Each morning before class, I would sit in a café or at a park with my notebook, and observe styles and trends that I liked. The streets were like a personal runway, filled with inspiration at every corner. After I jotted down styles I liked, I would pick a different neighborhood in Milan and go shopping at the local boutiques there. I avoided shopping at mass fast fashion stores like Zara and H&M because I really wanted to find unique pieces and connect with local shop owners. In doing so, I had the opportunity to practice my Italian with the shop owners, and find hidden gems and locations to shoot outfits in each area.

Lastly, and quite arguably my favorite part of this process, was connecting with photographers. Whenever I was traveling with students in my program, I would observe and see if anyone had a professional camera. I found two students who did and was able to collaborate with them, shoot in a professional studio, and ultimately produce content that we were both proud of.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

My accommodation was one of the highlights of my experience. I was fortunate to be placed in an apartment in Brera, the design district of Milan. Since I am a creative and visual person, this location couldn't have been more perfect for me since the area was filled with design studios, boutiques, and art museums!

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

I think every participant should know the importance of getting to know their host city. This important point is often overlooked as students are so eager to travel and explore other countries that they forget what's right in front of them. You can always travel to other countries in the future, but you may only have one opportunity to truly live and immerse yourself in a foreign country for an extended period of time.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

This is a very difficult question for me to answer because my experience has changed my life in so many ways. Most notably, I gained confidence in myself and who I am as a person. I am not the same timid and self-conscious girl I was when I first boarded that plane in August.

By living in a new environment that challenged me at the core of my being and forced me to reflect on these challenges, I became the person I always dreamt of being.

Along with this, I discovered passions for learning a new language, practicing sustainable life practices, and participating in a vegan diet. I have continued to enact these changes in my life back home by continuing to study Italian, and using my blog and social media channels to inspire others to practice sustainable life practices, step outside their comfort zone, and be the best version of themselves. My goal is to take these important lessons with me as I journey into the next chapter of my life (hopefully as an English teacher abroad).

Would you recommend IES Abroad Milan to others? Why?

I would absolutely recommend this program to other as it is a program that allows you to not only challenge yourself academically, but also personally by trying new things, immersing yourself in cultural activities, and gaining an international perspective of the world.