Last month, Kristina Dimitrova (YES 2019-2020, Bulgaria, placed by American Councils in Mansfield, TX) started her undergraduate studies at the Polytechnic University in Milan, Italy.

When Kristina got to Milan, she didn’t know anyone, just like when she got to Texas for her YES year. She took what she learned from her YES program experience, went with the flow, and socialized with all the people she could. It wasn’t as easy as it was in Texas, because everyone speaks primarily Italian, but she was still able to make one friend on her first day!

Through school and making friends, Kristina quickly fell in love with Milan. She says, “My eagerness to familiarize myself with new cultures, discover new places, and meet new people is because of my exchange experience on the YES program.” Now she is settled in and excited for what lies ahead in Milan and beyond. She adds, “Finding myself in one of the most international cities in the world makes me realize how much there is left to explore!”