Mia's Life

Life has felt like an endless fireworks display—bright ideas and new experiences constantly bursting into view. In the past three weeks alone, I’ve explored Milan, Venice, Sardinia, the Dolomites in Padola, and even ventured into Austria. The beauty of being an exchange student is that you get a true taste of everything a country has to offer. Coming from the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, I feel like a loose canon now that I have access to all things public transport. What do you mean I can go to Venice for just €4? It’s hard not to take full advantage of the short distances and affordable prices, knowing that when I return home, I won’t be setting foot on a train for years. That’s a shame, really, because the train station has become my happy place. There’s something magical about watching how each city welcomes you in its own way, and I could easily spend hours by a train window, blasting The Lumineers through my AirPods, completely lost in the moment.

When I tell Italians that Milan is my favorite city, they often react with surprise—maybe because it’s not the beach or the mountains. But Milan is so much more than that. It’s a city brimming with energy, with endless activities, a stunning Duomo, and a calendar packed with events. And don’t even get me started on Chinatown—I’m absolutely obsessed. Every time I step off the train, I can feel the air shift. The vibe is electric, full of excitement, opportunity, and passion. Every visit to Milan begins with a list of things I want to do, and by the time I leave, the list has only grown longer.

This time, I met up with Ella, an Australian I met in Florence, and Wilmer, a Swedish guy I met in Rome. In fair honor to the holidays, we kicked off our day at the Christmas markets, looking as interested as possible to sample everything we could. I even found a stand selling the legendary Dubai Chocolate—who needs coffee when a sight like that can wake you up? The vendor was so kind when he saw how enamored I was. He gave us samples and shared the fascinating backstory of how they make it. From there, we kept the food trend going, heading to an all-Swedish candy shop. We filled a bag with treats and tried one of each. Ella and I agreed that the sour grapefruit gummy bottles were our favorites, while Wilmer was all about the classic sour cola bottles.Then it was time for my personal paradise: Chinatown. We wandered through the streets, strategically planning what to buy, ducking in and out of Asian grocery stores. We grabbed street-style pork buns and pan-fried xiao long bao as a prelude to lunch—more dim sum, of course. We sat at the only restaurant on the street and indulged in an extensive mix of dishes. Afterward, we explored a bit more and stumbled upon a vintage market blasting “Footloose” through the speakers. I was tempted to break out dancing through the entirety of the shop, but regretfully held back… at least from 100%.

After saying goodbye to Ella, Wilmer and I went for drinks and aperitivo, then joined a crowd of people gathered around street musicians singing beneath the glowing Christmas tree at the Duomo. Like all great days, this one eventually came to an end, and we all headed home, with full hearts and even fuller stomachs.

To kick off winter break, Bella and I spent our first day in Venice. The weather was a bit gloomy, which actually worked out perfectly—it kept the tourists at bay and allowed us to explore the city at our own pace. Venice itself was far different from what I had imagined. I never really had a clear picture of what it would look like, but if I did, it certainly wouldn’t have matched reality. Most cities I’ve visited follow a similar layout—train stations within a short walk from the center, a major monument at the heart of it all, and a square surrounded by shops. But Venice, of course, is unlike any other city. Built on water, its winding canals cut through narrow streets that feel more like alleyways. Tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurants and quirky shops line these pathways, making it undoubtedly the most unique city I’ve been to so far.

We started the day by wandering into a souvenir shop that was decked out with all sorts of trinkets. With Bella’s exchange-semester ending on the 19th, her arms were full of gifts for friends and family, while I added another shot glass and postcard to my collection. I also picked up gift wrap for my host family’s Christmas presents. The cashier was the most mysterious person I’ve ever met. We talked with him for far too long trying to unpeel his life story. He made us laugh in a way we didn’t know if he was trying to or not.

As we made our way closer to the center, we stopped for lunch and both ordered a heaping plate of lasagna. It was delicious and even reminded me of my grandma’s recipe back home. My papa makes the best homemade sauce using tomatoes and herbs from his garden. Afterward, we wandered in and out of stores until we stumbled upon a vintage sale inside a hostel. It was like a hidden gem, filled with funky, eclectic items. The air was buzzing with rock music, and the racks were stacked with everything from indie styles to urban classics. We spent ages guessing the retail prices of everything, trying to score the best finds.

Next on our mission was finding the perfect cannoli. After being ridiculously picky about which cafe to try, we finally settled on a small local spot. Unfortunately, it was a bust—the cannolis all tasted the same, like overly sweet sugar with a bland undertone of… concrete? We quickly threw them out and made a quick exit. We needed to save our taste buds somehow, so when we saw a “happy hour” sign hung up outside a bar we both nodded our heads towards the door instinctively. We ordered an aperto spritz “Veneto” way. Bella claims it was the best spritz she’s ever had.

With our spirits lifted, we came up with the idea of going bar-hopping. We set off on a mission to find the cheapest bars in the area, and after four stops, we’d tried a mix of cocktails, savoring the variety of flavors along the way. The night was a success as we walked our way to the train station. I always have the best time with Bella, and it’s hard to believe she’ll be leaving Italy in just 9 days. I suppose that’s the bittersweet reality of being an exchange student—getting to meet incredible people, but knowing your time with them is limited.

Christmas came around so quickly this year. It’s strange because I remember having long conversations and imagining what my Christmas in Italy would be like. I always pictured it as this distant event, so far off in the future—and now here I am, reflecting on it already being over. On Christmas Eve, we had a festive dinner upstairs with their nonno and nonna. It was a love-filled time spent enjoying Italian Christmas delicacies: pandoro and panettone. Afterward, we exchanged gifts, each one a token of thoughtfulness and care. There is always a warm feeling filling the air when sharing a meal with their grandparents. On Christmas morning, we woke up early to exchange gifts. I was relieved and happy to see that everyone liked the gifts I picked out for them, just as much as I loved the ones they gave me. For lunch, we went to my host uncle’s house, where the courses seemed endless. I was so full, I thought I might have to unbutton my pants! From finger foods to soup, seafood lasagna, veggie lasagna, salad, some type of meat, and of course, the iconic pandoro and panettone. Next, we went to church for mass, which was beautiful and peaceful. The evening wrapped up with tea and a fiercely competitive board game session with one of their family friends. It was the perfect way to end a very merry Christmas day.

The following day, I had quite the travel marathon ahead of me. I woke up at 4:30 AM to catch a two-hour train to Milan, followed by a 30-minute bus ride to the airport. Then came a 90-minute flight to Cagliari, where I met up with Lynn at the train station. We were both starving, so we grabbed McDonald’s on the fly. I vetoed the place immediately, but it was the only option available. I decided to try something uniquely Italian: the Big Tasty Basket, which was filled with chicken nuggets, pizza pockets, and chicken wings. It’s fascinating how different cultures put their own spin on fast food. For instance, Italian McDonald’s offer things like Parmesan blocks, pistachio McFlurrys, pizza pockets, and ham-and-Swiss cheese melts. Afterward, we quickly grabbed a taxi to the bus stop for our three-and-a-half-hour drive to her small town, followed by a short 10-minute drive to her house. The journey felt long, but it was totally worth it. It’s kind of wild to think that just a few months ago, I had never used any public transport besides a family trip to London and Paris, and now I’m navigating all this by myself confidently. By the end of the day, we were exhausted, so we decided to kick back with The Hangover movies. We couldn’t stop obsessing over Bradley Cooper’s smoldering looks and totally idolizing Alan’s character.

Lynn and I had four and a half days together, and we filled the time with beach lunches, discovering new music to dance to (I proudly influenced some country hits into her playlists), and enjoying the best pizza at her local restaurant—twice. I believe my pizza was called “Assassina”—it had red sauce, harissa, salame, red peppers, caramelized onions, some kind of meat spread, and I added burrata on top. Easily one of the top three pizzas I’ve had here. One night, after dinner, a lost dog approached us. We were careful not to touch her, but she followed us through the narrow, winding streets for about a mile in the dark. The poor thing looked scared and cold, so we knew we couldn’t just leave her. We gave her some dog food and let her sleep in the backyard in a small dog house to keep her warm. The next morning, we let her go, but not without naming her Carla—a nod to The Hangover 2, where Alan names a stripper’s baby Carlo. I also got to watch Lynn’s soccer practice and game, where her team won 5-0.

We took a couple of trips to Tortolì—one for gelato, and another for kebabs. It was strange, in a way, being in a place I’d heard so much about from Lynn and had seen countless times through photos and video calls. It almost felt like I had stepped into one of our nightly phone calls. I wish I could have stayed longer, or that Lynn could have come back with me, but whether we’re together in person or chatting through a screen, I always appreciate her company.

The journey back to Padova was a bit of a mess. My bus arrived at the train station 30 minutes late, causing me to miss my train. After calling five taxis, only one picked up—and they said they were too busy. Eventually, I took the next train, which was also delayed, and arrived at the airport just 50 minutes before my gate closed. I made it in time, though I had to go through security twice, which definitely added some stress. But in the end, I made it home safe, which is all that truly matters anyways.

After transferring my things into a much larger suitcase packed with ski gear, I finally managed to get some sleep around 2 AM—only to wake up at 5:45 for my road trip to the mountains. We were heading to Padola, a charming town so close to Austria that they speak German, even though it’s technically part of Italy. The trip lasted just over a week, with four days of skiing and the rest spent hiking. The mountains were absolutely breathtaking, and skiing in that kind of setting is always an incredible experience. Our longest hike even took us across the border into Austria! At the top, we stopped at a cozy restaurant for lunch, enjoying both the stunning views and the hearty food.

Each evening, after dinner, we gathered to watch movies and play board or card games. We watched Peter Pan, the live-action Cinderella, a Spanish film, and a variety of crime mysteries. We even attempted to make gingerbread cookies—though, as you might guess, we failed miserably. One night, we had a fierce Monopoly showdown with their family friends. No other board game gets me as hooked as Monopoly, so I was absolutely primed to win, with a majority of houses and properties under my belt. But just when I thought victory was within my grasp, we were told the game was being cut short. I was livid. I didn’t have enough time to rake in the cash from my properties, so technically, I lost—though if you ask me, I still maintain the true winner.

New Year’s Eve was spent enjoying a festive dinner with their family friends in the heart of Padola. With just 10 minutes to go before midnight, we stepped outside their apartment to catch the firework display, which exploded right above us. I had never been so close to a fireworks show—it was absolutely breathtaking. The fireworks lit up the sky in every direction, blasting a mix of colorful patterns into the sky. A large screen displayed the countdown, while a DJ spun lively tunes just above us. The atmosphere was electric, with people dancing, singing, and celebrating joyfully. We grabbed warm tea from the stands as we watched the fireworks unfold overhead. Afterward, we walked around, exchanging heartfelt wishes for a wonderful 2025.

Then came January 7th, Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrated across various countries in Europe. The day commemorates the visit of the Magi, the three kings, to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It marks the moment when God, in the form of the infant Jesus, revealed Himself to the world. Today, Epiphany is a celebration of the Incarnation, and is traditionally a day of gift-giving. There’s also a charming legend associated with this day. According to the tale, a grandmotherly figure who resembles a kindly witch, Befana, delivers gifts to well-behaved children, leaving them in stockings. On this Epiphany, I woke up to find my host mom handing me a beautifully filled stocking, packed with sweet treats and a shot glass from Padola. It was such a thoughtful gesture, especially since she knows I collect them.

My winter break was everything I could have hoped for—and more. It was full of unforgettable moments, and I feel incredibly lucky to have found a second home where the holidays are celebrated with such warmth and generosity. I’ll always treasure this Christmas, a holiday unlike any other, and hold these experiences close to my heart. The feeling of being in this moment, with everything so beautifully surreal, is something I know I’ll never experience again. While I can’t slow down time, I’ll keep these memories locked in the back of my mind, always able to return to them whenever I need to relive the sweetness of this chapter in my life.

”Travel is not reward for working, it is education for living.”- Anthony Bourdain