Tell any Italian that you are going to be teaching in Milan and they will give you a distressed look, muttering in bocca al lupo and crossing themselves. To the rest of the Italy, Milan is somewhat of an ugly duckling: cold, boring, grey. But that mentality can work out great for you. Let the hordes of tourists flock to Rome and Florence, while you meet the real locals, savour the down-to-earth life, and explore hidden wonders found beneath concrete facades; you’ll be able to see the real swan hatch from a deceiving shell.
Being at the top of the UNESCO World Heritage List, Milan is bustling with art, architecture, history, and theatre. When you get tired of daytime culture, you’ll be able to check out the elegance of its nightlife too though. There is an excellent public transportation system as well as a bike share program, so you’ll be able to get around easily, and fill up your agenda from dawn to dawn without worries of how to get from point A to point B. Go see The Last Supper, enjoy an opera at La Scala, and be sure to pick up a free bi-weekly copy of EasyMilano, an English publication that lists all of the week’s events.
If you fancy a getaway for a day, there are many options; the Alps and Lake Como to the north, the romantic coasts of Cinque Terre to the south, and sinking Venice to the east, all of these are easily reached by a short, scenic train ride.