Greetings, My name is 탁력. I hope this experience report would be helpful for those who are interested in applying to the exchange program at Bocconi University. All the information included is based on my personal experience. FYI, due to the covid-19 outbreak, I only stayed at Bocconi for a month and more.

1. Introduction of an exchange school

Bocconi University is a private university in Milan, Italy. Bocconi provides undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate education in the fields of economics, finance, law, management, political science, and public administration. SDA Bocconi, the university's business school, offers MBA and Executive MBA programs.

After I got the nomination, I received instructions on how to apply online application for the exchange program. And the id&password will be sent to our emails.

2. Course application & Course introduction

Course Registration

The syllabus for courses can be found on the Academic Calendar. Academic Calendar is available at www.ir.unibocconi.eu/calendar.

During the Course Selection period, access the yoU@B agenda at agenda.unibocconi.it, by using the credentials available at the bottom of the message, and select the study plan. We also had the chance to modify our study plan during the Add/drop period. The courses are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis.

Course introduction

At Bocconi, they offer two styles of studying method, attending and non-attending, basically attending is what we have in KUBS, the final grade would be determined by attendance, activities, and exams, etc. The non-attending one is that you don’t need to attend the lectures regularly, and there is 0 assignments and projects for you, only the final exam contributes to your grade. However, the exam coverage is different for these two styles, the non-attending one usually needs you to read two whole books.

I’ve taken 5 courses, all attending.

Corporate Finance (전공선택)

Management of Fashion Companies (전공선택)

International Finance (전공선택)

Personal Selling (전공선택)

Principles of E-Commerce and E-Marketing (전공선택)

I personally felt that the finance courses are very hard at Bocconi, it took me a lot of time to work on them.

3. Housing

a) Dormitory information

Bocconi University provides residences for exchange students with limited amounts. There are Bocconi Residence, Javotte Residence, Dubini Residence, Spadolini Residence, Arcobaleno Residence, the more modern Isonzo Residence, Bligny Residence, and the latest Castiglioni Residence. The type of accommodation varies between the residences and the choice is among single rooms in apartments for either one, two, or four people. The residences offer also services to students such as cleaning services, laundry rooms, study rooms, parking spaces. Many students, however, choose to rent private apartments that are easy to find around the university area. When I doing the online application, I’ve got to choose a residence with priorities, paid a 400 euro deposit in advance which will be refunded in cash at the end of the stay.

I was assigned to a single room in a 2-room apartment with a bathroom to be shared with one other student at Residenza Arcobaleno(not my first choice) which most of the exchange students are located. The housing rent must be paid in advance for the whole period when you received the housing confirmation (my case: 2.520 euro).

b) Private housing information

Since I was lucky enough to get the dorm, I didn’t take a deeper look at the private housing. As I heard from my friends, you could find the housing information and your roommate in the Facebook group created for exchange students.

4.Lifestyle and others

a) Existence of a buddy program

There is no buddy program like KUBS has, but there is a closed Facebook group ''Bocconi Exchange (Official)” which helps gear up for the incoming exchange students. The ISD staff will post important communications in this group, on matters such as course selection, exam registration, changes in office hours, etc. Besides, you can use this group to ask questions, virtually meet, and get to know your future exchange buddies.

Basically, all the information is shared in the official Facebook group and WhatsApp group students created.

b) Alumni program information

I am not sure if they provide an Alumni program for exchange students, but they hosted an International Fair to give prospective exchange applicants detailed information on their future experience abroad. This is a unique opportunity for us to represent KUBS and to meet Bocconi students.

c) Living expenses

Sim Card:

I used the Vodafone, you could go to the store located near the duomo, it costs 10 euro per month with free roaming in Europe.

Transportation：

When you check-in at Bocconi, they will give you an application form for a regular transportation card in advance. Then you can go to the atm point (Duomo and Cadorna station have one which near to the campus) to apply for it, it costs 22 euros per month, valid from the beginning of each month to the end of each month, you can charge for the next month in advance at the atm point.

You can also download an app called ATM Milano, which you can buy a single ticket on it.

5. Preparation: What to prepare before departure

I personally suggest you do some research about the theft and robbery scenarios in Europe.

It did happen to one of my friends when we travel to Venice, her wallet was stolen.

And you should prepare on how to get to your house from the airport, Milano has three airports, you could find someone from the exchange group to share an Uber.

6. Insurance & VISA

Insurance

I joined a short-term travel insurance for the visa and joined the insurance for the whole period stay in Italy as the university suggest after I arrived in Milano, you can refer to waitaly.net.

VISA

Since I am an international student, my visa preparation might not be the same as Korean students, here is an instruction about the materials that the Italian embassy stated:

1. Visa Application Form

2.  Recent passport-style photo (white background)

3.  Passport or travel document valid for at least three months after visa expiry + Colour Photocopy (essential pages containing photo, bearer’s sign, validity)

4. Alien Registration Card issued by the Korean Immigration Office original and color photocopy (both sides)

5.  Copy of the Airplane ticket or confirmed flight schedule

6.  Certificate of enrolments in an approved programme of exchange issued by the Italian University + Certificate of Attendance in original issued by the Korean university + Certificate of Participation to the Exchange program issued by the Korean University

7.  Copy of receipt of payment of Enrolments fees or written confirmation of payment issued by the Korean University

8.  Proof of economic means of support, as per Ministry of Interior Directive 1.3.2000 (Certificate of Bank Deposit of the Applicant’s account)

9. Declaration of the availability in Italy of appropriate lodgings during the period of Study in Italy

10. Insurance coverage for medical treatment and or emergency hospitalization

7. Italian language course

Bocconi offers Italian language course for incoming exchange students, a crash course (200 euro) before the semester start, and a follow-up course(170 euro) in the semester. I think it is very important to learn some basic Italian if you want to experience the local life. The crash course is very intensive, 4-5 hours a day, and lasts about two weeks. Attendance is mandatory, only students who attend a minimum of 75% of the course and pass the final test will receive the Italian language course certificate. You have to pass the crash course to take the follow-up course. In case of overlap between the Follow-up Course and Bocconi classes, you can cancel your registration for the course by emailing ISD.

8. ESN

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a non-profit international student organization. They represent international students, thus provide opportunities for cultural understanding and self-development under the principle of Students Helping Students. You could join the ESN at the beginning of the semester, I remembered the joining fee is 10 euro. They will organize short trips and outside activities like wine parties etc. You could meet many other exchange students from different schools and countries, I had a lot of fun with friends I met on the ESN trips.

9. Covid

After the outbreak in Italy, Bocconi immediately stops the school for a week and then transfer all the learning with the online methods. I left Europe after April, it was very hard for me to take online lectures because of the time difference. Except that, it was all good till the end of the semester.

Lastly, even my exchange was not smooth, I still think I was lucky enough to get the chance to experience the local life and offline lectures for a short but valued time. And I do really recommend Bocconi as an exchange university if you want to experience an authentic European life.