If you are coming to Milan with Erasmus, you may be wondering: Do I really need to speak Italian?
Maybe your university courses are in English. Maybe your international friends all speak English. And in a city like Milan, you can certainly manage many situations without being fluent in Italian.
But there is a big difference between simply living in Italy and actually feeling part of life in Italy.
Learning even a little Italian can transform your Erasmus experience. It makes everyday life easier, helps you meet local people, gives you more confidence and allows you to experience Milan beyond the international student bubble.
Erasmus in Milan? You do not need to be fluent before you arrive. But learning practical Italian for university, accommodation, shopping, restaurants and social life can make your stay in Italy much easier — and much more rewarding.
Do Erasmus students need to speak Italian in Italy?
Not necessarily.
Many universities offer courses in English, especially for Erasmus and international students. In Milan, you will also find plenty of people who can communicate in English.
But outside university, Italian quickly becomes useful.
Think about everyday situations such as:
- talking to your landlord or flatmates;
- buying something in a local shop;
- ordering at a bar or restaurant;
- asking for information;
- going to the pharmacy;
- dealing with public transport;
- meeting Italian students;
- understanding what people around you are saying.
Even a basic level can make a surprisingly big difference.
If you are starting from zero, our guide to essential Italian phrases for everyday life is a useful place to begin.
Why learn Italian during your Erasmus in Milan?
Your Erasmus experience is not only about lectures and exams.
It is also about discovering a new city, meeting people, understanding another culture and learning to feel at home somewhere new.
And language is one of the fastest ways to make that happen.
1. Everyday life becomes easier
You do not need advanced grammar to ask for a coffee, buy a train ticket or explain a problem in your apartment.
Practical Italian gives you independence.
Instead of hoping someone speaks English, you can start the conversation yourself.
2. It becomes easier to meet Italians
One of the most common experiences among international students is spending most of their time with other international students.
There is nothing wrong with that — Erasmus friendships are one of the best parts of the experience.
But if you want to make Italian friends too, speaking some Italian helps enormously.
You do not need to speak perfectly. In fact, simply making the effort often changes the whole interaction.
3. You understand Italian culture differently
Some things cannot really be translated.
Words such as magari, boh, dai and prego carry meanings that depend on tone, context and situation.
Understanding expressions like these helps you understand not only the Italian language, but also how Italians communicate.
4. Your Erasmus becomes a real language immersion
When you study Italian in Italy, the city itself becomes part of the classroom.
You learn something in class in the morning and hear it again at the supermarket, on the metro, at the bar or while talking to someone that same afternoon.
This continuous exposure is one of the biggest advantages of learning Italian while living in Milan.
How much Italian do you need for Erasmus in Milan?
You do not need to arrive speaking fluent Italian.
For everyday life, even an A1 or A2 level can already be extremely useful.
At these levels, you can begin to:
- introduce yourself;
- order food and drinks;
- ask simple questions;
- understand prices and times;
- ask for directions;
- talk about your studies;
- make simple plans with friends;
- handle many common everyday situations.
The more you use Italian outside the classroom, the faster your confidence usually grows.
Italian for university life
Even if your academic courses are taught in English, Italian can still be useful around university.
Here are a few expressions you might hear or need:
- Dov’è l’aula? – Where is the classroom?
- A che ora inizia la lezione? – What time does the lesson start?
- Quando è l’esame? – When is the exam?
- Posso avere gli appunti? – Can I have the notes?
- Non ho capito. – I didn’t understand.
- Può ripetere, per favore? – Could you repeat, please?
These simple sentences can help you feel much more confident from your first weeks in Milan.
Italian for everyday life in Milan
Some of the Italian you will use most during Erasmus has nothing to do with university.
You will use it at the bar, in shops, on public transport and while exploring the city.
At the bar
Un caffè, per favore.
A coffee, please.
Quanto costa?
How much is it?
Posso pagare con la carta?
Can I pay by card?
Getting around Milan
Scusi, dov’è la metro?
Excuse me, where is the metro?
Questo tram va in centro?
Does this tram go to the city centre?
Meeting people
Di dove sei?
Where are you from?
Cosa studi?
What do you study?
Ti va di prendere un aperitivo?
Would you like to go for an aperitivo?
How to practise Italian outside the classroom
The best thing about doing Erasmus in Italy is that you have opportunities to practise every single day.
You do not need to wait until your Italian is perfect.
Start small.
- Order your coffee in Italian.
- Ask for directions instead of using your phone.
- Speak Italian with shop assistants.
- Watch Italian TV or short videos.
- Listen to Italian music.
- Learn a few new expressions every day.
- Ask Italian friends to speak Italian with you sometimes.
If you want more ideas, read our guide on how to practise Italian every day.
Where should Erasmus students live in Milan?
Choosing the right neighbourhood can make a big difference to your Erasmus experience.
Milan has areas with very different personalities: some are lively and full of students, while others are quieter or more residential.
Navigli is famous for nightlife and aperitivo, while areas such as Città Studi are popular with university students. Brera offers a more central and historic atmosphere, while other neighbourhoods may offer better value for longer stays.
If you are still choosing where to live, take a look at our guide to the best areas of Milan for international students.
Can Erasmus students take an Italian course in Milan?
Absolutely.
Many Erasmus students choose to combine university studies with an Italian language course.
The right format depends mainly on your university timetable and how quickly you want to improve.
Intensive Italian course
If you have enough free time and want to progress quickly, an intensive Italian course in Milan offers full language immersion.
At Il Centro, the intensive course includes 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
Evening Italian course
If your university timetable is busy during the day, an evening Italian course in Milan can be easier to combine with Erasmus life.
Il Centro currently offers evening lessons designed for learners who need a more flexible schedule.
Other Italian language courses
You can also explore the full range of Italian courses in Milan, including standard, semi-intensive and other course formats.
Italian course or Erasmus university language course?
Some universities offer Italian courses for Erasmus students, so it is always worth checking what your university includes.
A separate language school can be useful if you want more lesson hours, smaller groups, additional speaking practice or a course timetable that better matches your Erasmus schedule.
The most important thing is to choose a course that gives you opportunities to speak and use Italian, not only study grammar.
Why study Italian at Il Centro during your Erasmus?
Il Centro – Italian Language School in Milan has welcomed international students since 1986 and focuses strongly on practical communication and real-life Italian.
Our approach is designed to help students use Italian confidently both inside and outside the classroom.
Small-group courses, native Italian teachers and a central Milan location make it easy to combine language learning with university and everyday life in the city.
Our Italian language group courses are designed for international students who want to improve their Italian for study, work, travel or daily life in Italy.
Learn Italian during your Erasmus in Milan
Living in Milan gives you the perfect opportunity to turn Italian into part of your everyday life.
At Il Centro – Italian Language School in Milan, you can choose from different Italian courses for international and Erasmus students and practise the language you actually need outside the classroom.
Whether you want an intensive course or lessons that fit around your university timetable, find the solution that works best for your stay in Milan.
Frequently Asked Questions about Italian for Erasmus students
Do I need to know Italian before starting Erasmus in Milan?
No. Many Erasmus students arrive with little or no Italian, particularly if their university courses are taught in English. However, learning some basic Italian will make everyday life and social interactions much easier.
Can I learn Italian while doing Erasmus?
Yes. Living in Italy gives you daily opportunities to practise, and you can also take an Italian language course alongside your university studies.
What level of Italian is useful for Erasmus?
Even A1 or A2 Italian can be very useful for simple everyday conversations. A higher level will help you communicate more naturally, make local friends and become more independent.
Are there Italian courses for Erasmus students in Milan?
Yes. Erasmus and international students can choose from intensive, standard, semi-intensive or evening Italian courses depending on their university schedule and learning goals.
Is Milan a good city for international students?
Milan has a large international student population, several major universities and a wide range of cultural and social opportunities. Learning Italian can help you experience more of the local side of the city rather than remaining only within the international community.
Make Milan feel like home
Your Erasmus months will probably pass much faster than you expect.
Learning Italian is one way to make the experience deeper.
It means understanding the person at the next table, joining conversations, making mistakes, laughing about them and gradually realising that the city no longer feels quite so foreign.
You do not need perfect Italian.
You just need to start using it.
Because Erasmus is not only about studying in Italy.
It is about learning how to live in Italy.