Silvia at Boston University School, an Italian in America


    Silvia at Boston University School, an Italian in America



    Silvia Menini graduated in Economics and Commerce from Verona, she left for Belgium, two years of intense life and then the decision to get involved again with theMBA to the Boston University School of Management.

    Silvia how long have you been in Boston?
    I arrived in Boston in August 2007 to start my MBA, a short passage in June however allowed me to find a house, already inquire about the bank, mobile phone, supermarket locations and other useful information about how to furnish the house in an economic way. home, which areas to avoid and so on.

    How did you come to MBA in Boston?
    I am originally from Verona and after two years in Belgium the MBA seemed the optimal solution for me because it allowed me to live a new experience, in a very different country and continent, improving both professionally and personally. And so I left.

    How did you find a home in the USA?
    The MBA started at the end of August 2007. I personally came to the city a June 2007 to look around me and to look for an accommodation that would welcome me for the next 2 years. The search for the apartment itself was nothing short of tragicomic. In a new city it is always necessary to understand which areas to avoid, in case of expenses not included, to understand how much these will then affect the total cost at the end of the month.



    Where is your home located in Boston?
    It is close to Kenmore, on the long Commonwealth Ave and right in front of my University (Boston University School of Management) and I must admit that it was the best solution especially in the rigid Bostonian winters in which to wait 15 minutes for the subway (the T as they call it here) could be risky for survival. In fact, winters are very cold and when the wind picks up, the cold becomes almost unbearable.

    Are the rents expensive?
    Boston is a university city and as such rents are skyrocketing and the quality of apartments, especially those located around camps or in typical student areas, they are really precarious. Normally it is preferred to share the apartment and expenses with other students, in order to arrive at a reasonable rent, obviously giving up privacy but perhaps finding company and leisure.
    Silvia at Boston University School, an Italian in America

    Tell us about a typical day
    The typical day of an MBA student varies from semester to semester and from day to day. Each day you have several classes to take and often you need to take a few rules. Some, for the most unfortunate, start at 8 in the morning, for others at 11 or only in the afternoon. The essential concept of the MBA is that there are no timetables. We also study until 4 in the morning, especially when the delivery of the projects and the exams are approaching and most do not even give up the evening and night outings, thus depriving themselves of the few hours of sleep they would otherwise have.


    Your impression of the city of Boston
    The city is extraordinary, it is within reach of man, you can easily reach all the highlights of the city simply by walking (weather permitting); the part where I live is very student and at any time of the day or night you meet boys and girls who go or return from parties or who have backpacker and coffee in hand ready for another day of study.


    Did you settle in immediately?
    It is very easy to acclimate. People are very friendly and always have a smile on their faces, just ask for information if you are looking for something in particular or if you are lost and certainly someone available will be found to give the right information. My favorite time of year is autumn: the city offers breathtaking landscapes, everything turns bright red and everything seems magical.

    The hardest thing abroad especially in Boston?
    The food. I will look like the classic Italian but I assure you that I was not a lover of pasta. But here I miss Italian cuisine a lot. The food here, especially fruit and vegetables, has no flavor. But fortunately the city offers a wide choice of restaurants: Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, Ethiopian, Afghan ...
    Silvia at Boston University School, an Italian in AmericaHow are Italians viewed?
    I have a limited vision of course but I can say that when you say Italian they answer you: good food, beautiful women and the mafia. They know we don't have dinner at 17.30 like them, they know we typically arrive late, they know that if they have to schedule a meeting, it better not be in the morning.


    The easiest thing abroad?
    Start over ... and embark on an inner journey and rediscover yourself.

    A city party you've been to to recommend?
    All student parties are to be tried .. and then avoided.

    A typical dish to recommend?
    Burgers and chips for sure but here the fish is extraordinary and the ocean clams are so big and tasty that spaghetti with clams made in a proper Italian restaurant are memorable.

    A club or a nightclub in Boston?
    Just go downtown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and there are dozens of them all full of more or less skilled dancers and girls dressed up for the evening.


    The most expensive thing?
    The rent, fruit and vegetables.

    The cheapest thing abroad?
    Maybe we are in recession and sales are on the agenda but you can really find bargains especially in department stores such as Macy's where in time of sales you can find shoes, bags and clothing at super discounted prices.

    Anything positive about your experience?
    It will remain in me forever and has helped me grow, mature and know myself as well as learn that… nothing is impossible.

    One bad thing about the experience
    Silvia at Boston University School, an Italian in America
    I went out a little. A prerogative of American culture is to have dinner as soon as possible to get out as soon as possible and get drunk as soon as possible. If you don't align, it's a little hard to make friends or really have fun.
    Would you recommend your experience to a friend or would you do it again?
    Certainly because it is not only an opportunity to grow professionally but also personally and deeply. It is an opportunity to open up to the world, to cultures distant from ours, to savor life and get used to doing the impossible. It is a real life lesson.
    Will you return to Italy?
    I have a boyfriend in Italy so, 'upon' graduation, which will be precisely May 15th 2009, I will return to Italy. After all… L'amour est amaour.

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