How to Get the Most Out of Studying Abroad at Bocconi University
Get Familiar with the Language
My Italian language minor from Simon Fraser University really helped me to transition to living in Milan! By being able to speak and read Italian, I was able to adapt more quickly to the Milanese lifestyle, which made my experience more culturally enriching since I was able to communicate with locals. Speaking Italian also allowed me to take part in a language exchange offered by Bocconi whereby I was partnered up with a Bocconi student and met various times during the week to practice speaking each other’s language. This is how I met one of my good friends Alessandra.
Get Involved with Erasmus Student Network
I would recommend that future exchange students take an introductory Italian course at their home University and attend the Italian language crash course offered by Bocconi, which is a great way to meet other exchange students after arriving in Milan. In addition, taking part in events held by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) during the semester is another great way to meet other exchange and Bocconi students
Explore the City
While studying at Bocconi, I would suggest taking advantage of the amazing museums that Milan has to offer – fortunately, many state museums offer free admission the first Sunday of every month. Milan has museums ranging from classical to modern art and everything in between! I personally enjoyed visiting il Museo di Novecento, a modern art museum that is situated right next to the famous Duomo of Milan! If you are interested in Fashion, I would recommend visiting Fondazione Prada, Armani Silos, and il Trenniale di Milano, which has an exhibit on Rick Owens, an American fashion designer.
When it comes to food, Italy can’t be beat! Italy is also known for its coffee culture, which is very different than North America. If you want a coffee in the morning, you can go to a “bar” where they serve coffee in all its forms and grab a croissant, which is a typical Italian breakfast. If you decide to explore the south of Italy, grab a cannoli and enjoy the amazing pizza it has to offer!
Learn about Fashion
One of the main reasons I chose to study at Bocconi was that I am interested in working in the fashion industry after graduation. In Milan, there are many fashion opportunities right at your fingertips!
If you are interested in learning more about the fashion industry, I would suggest taking the course Management in Fashion Companies at Bocconi, which features guest speakers from companies such as Versace.
In addition, with Milan Fashion Week happening twice per year, you might get lucky and get into a fashion show like my fellow SFU exchange student, Cassidy Emby, and I were able to do! It takes patience and persistence and a bit of Bocconi name dropping to get in the door, but give it a try! For both of us, it was a highlight of our study abroad experiences.
The opportunity to study at Bocconi has afforded me the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet friends from all around the world, and challenge myself personally and academically. I now have close friends that hail from Australia, France, Italy and the United States (to name a few)!
Things to be aware of when you become a student at Bocconi: don’t expect students from Italy to be dressed casually as we do while attending classes in Vancouver – they will be dressed in the latest fashions and looking very elegant, and do expect to find it challenging at times to use your bank card for making purchases, since cash is often preferred. One of the biggest things I’ve learned on exchange is you just have to roll with it! And when you do, I can assure you that it will be an unforgettable experience!
Please leave a comment if you are interested in studying abroad at Bocconi and have any questions!