The Chronicles | Aastha Jain’s journey
The Chronicles is a collection of students’ all-around experiences at Domus Academy. In these episodes they share their trips, classroom moments, projects, visits to cities and museums, evenings with friends, and so much more. Everything that made their journey an unforgettable milestone.
I FOUND FRIENDS WHO BECAME LIKE FAMILY, AND SLOWLY THIS CITY BECAME A PLACE I COULD CALL HOME.
Aastha Jain, India, Master in Interior & Living Design
The Chronicles is a collection of students’ all-around experiences at Domus Academy. In these episodes they share their trips, classroom moments, projects, visits to cities and museums, evenings with friends, and so much more. Everything that made their journey an unforgettable milestone.
I FOUND FRIENDS WHO BECAME LIKE FAMILY, AND SLOWLY THIS CITY BECAME A PLACE I COULD CALL HOME.
Aastha Jain, India, Master in Interior & Living Design
“Coming from India, moving to Milan was both exciting and intimidating. Before joining Domus Academy, I was working at an interior design company, but I felt the need to step outside my comfort zone and experience a different design culture. That desire is what brought me to Milan and to the Master’s in Interior & Living Design at Domus Academy.
When I arrived in November, everything felt new. Living far away from my family was one of the biggest challenges. There were moments when I missed the comfort of home, and even today I am still learning to navigate the language barrier. But with time, Milan started to feel less unfamiliar. I found friends who became like family, and slowly this city became a place I could call home.
One of the most valuable parts of my experience has been studying alongside people from different countries and cultures. Every project, discussion, and collaboration introduced me to new ways of thinking and visualizing ideas. It taught me that there is never just one way to approach design. Understanding different perspectives has expanded not only my design process but also the way I see the world.
Domus Academy has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Through countless presentations and critiques, I overcame my fear of public speaking and became much more confident in expressing my ideas. My concept development skills have improved significantly, but the biggest transformation has been personal rather than academic.
From my first day in Milan until now, I have become more independent. I learned how to cook, manage daily life on my own, and adapt to a completely new environment. More importantly, I learned a lot about myself.
Beyond design, Milan taught me the importance of balance. Some of my favourite moments are the simplest ones like eating gelato by the canals, exploring Italian culture, or sitting quietly and watching a beautiful sunset after a long day. These experiences reminded me that growth doesn’t only happen inside the classroom.
Looking back, Domus Academy has been much more than a school for me. It has been a place where I found lifelong friendships, gained confidence, and discovered a stronger version of myself. It is a chapter of my life that has shaped not only the designer I am becoming, but also the person I am today.”
