Discover RMIT Vietnam students' journey in Milan

Discover how two RMIT Design Studies students stepped beyond the classroom in a collaborative project with The Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Milan and reflect on how the Erasmus trip challenged their boundaries and expanded their creative worlds.

An architectural and cultural exchange

The collaboration began in Ho Chi Minh City, where the students from The Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Milan joined RMIT Vietnam peers to explore Nguyen Hue and study how history meets modern life. Their focus was the 42 Nguyen Hue apartment, a heritage building reflecting vintage Saigon amid the rapid urban change. The project challenged them to envision its future as a creative hub with a workshop area, a gallery, and a communal space with seating to foster connection.

Later in the semester, it was RMIT Vietnam’s turn to visit IED in Milan and hear their presentation on architectural models and creative showcases, shaped by cross-cultural dialogue and shared insights. With hard work and dedication, two Bachelor of Design Studies students, Bao Linh and Khanh Phuong, were selected to join the trip to Milan, along with Dr Rachel Jahja and Dr Andrew Stiff, and represent RMIT Vietnam. As it turned out, the trip became a unique opportunity for both to discover beyond the classroom.

Broadening horizons

Both Khanh Phuong and Bao Linh had the chance to explore details of the city, not through the eyes of typical tourists, but as cultural learners immersed in the daily lives of local students. Throughout the trip, both students were also guided by Matteo Rigamonti, an Adaptive Reuse Design specialised Architect - Interior Design Professor at IED Milan, who played a key role in leading their group through the city. They had to do a lot of urban mapping and closely observe their surroundings, the way people move and live in communities, and the conditions of the spaces around them. Instead of sightseeing for leisure, they gained deeper insight into the lifestyle, values, and unique rhythms of Italian life, discovering things that felt bolder and more eye-opening than what they had known before.

Linh reflected on the experience with warmth: “If I had gone to Milan just as a tourist, it would have felt completely different. But because I was part of the program, I spent time with the local students, talked with Italian professors at IED, and formed close bonds with some of the girls there. They invited me to hangouts, dinners, and even welcomed me into their homes. It really felt like living among Italians. I experienced so much more than I ever could as a tourist.”

She realised that behind each figure, texture, and structure lies a rich story shaped by years of history, and that made everything feel deeply meaningful. Those conversations gave her insights far beyond what she could see, making this experience more valuable than anything else.

A truly immersive experience

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Instead of feeling ancient, the city felt modern, elegant, even youthful. That contrast really impressed me. A city with so much history, yet it still feels so fresh.”

Beyond the academic experience, the trip offered a chance to truly connect with the city. Phuong shared how Milan surprised her in the best way. “I thought of Milan only as a rustic, historic city. But when I got there, it didn’t feel that way at all. It was mind-blowing to see how grandeur and well-kept these iconic sites were, despite being built from thousands of years ago.”

While Khanh Phuong found Milan’s scenery captivating, Bao Linh’s growth unfolded in different, unexpected ways. “When we started talking to the professors and final-year design students at IED about Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and communities, they wholeheartedly listened." The experience helped her see herself in a different light. “I wasn’t very confident at first. I didn’t think I was the sociable type. But being there, trying to express what I knew, and learning from others helped me open up. I connected with people I wouldn’t normally talk to.”

One of Linh's favorite memories was a spontaneous day trip to Lake Como. “It was just us and our friends we made here. We got lost on the way, and that’s how we met another group of girls who were also lost,” she laughed. “Normally, I wouldn’t approach strangers, but something changed. I asked if they wanted to find the way together, and we ended up spending the day as a group. That experience reminded me to be confident. Sometimes, great things happen when you step out of your shell.”

Khanh Phuong also shared how much she learns through interactions. “I learn best from other people. Through conversations between classmates and lecturers here, I picked up new ways to ask questions and discover how to become more open and friendly.”

New perspectives

When asked if she could envision herself living abroad in the future, especially after this first experience overseas filled with new lessons and connections, Khanh Phuong gave a thoughtful response. “It might sound unexpected, but the more I traveled, the more I realised I feel most at home living and working in Vietnam, especially in Saigon,” she shared. “I learned so much from how other designers draw inspiration from their surroundings and preserve the unique identity of their cities through design. It made me want to bring that mindset back and apply it to my own city.”

After the trip, Phuong described the experience as a core memory, one that stands out among many she has gathered during her time at RMIT Vietnam. Her journey in Milan gave her countless stories to share, from the city's rich culture and striking architecture to the people she met and the materials she discovered. These experiences, she noted, will continue to inspire and shape her future creative and professional path.

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RMIT Vietnam lecturer Dr Rachel Jahja, who accompanied the students on the Erasmus trip, reflected on the value of global exposure in education. She shared that the program offered students new perspectives through immersion in different cultures and learning environments. "Experiences like this broaden understanding and inspire fresh ways of thinking," she said. "For any student considering a mobility opportunity at RMIT, I highly recommend it. The journey may be demanding at times, but the personal and academic growth it brings is truly rewarding."

The Erasmus trip enabled participants from both institutions to engage deeply across cultural and disciplinary boundaries. This two-way exchange offered students and lecturers from both institutions the chance to see the world, and themselves, through a new lens. The connections made, lessons learned, and memories created will continue to shape their journeys long after.

Learn more about global opportunities at RMIT

Story: Written by Pham Thanh Thao, a Professional Communication student, with input from Bao Linh and Khanh Phuong, Bachelor of Design Studies students, and Dr Rachel Jahja, Lecturer at RMIT Vietnam. This article does not reflect the views of RMIT Vietnam as an institution.

06 August 2025