Exchange Report
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Study Program: Rechtsgeleerdheid
Exchange semester: Spring 2016
Academic year: 2015-2016
Host University: Bocconi University
Country: Italy
1. General information about the school
Bocconi is located in the south of Milan. The campus consists out of several buildings. In only two of these are lessons. Also, it has a couple of restaurants/cafeterias. Bocconi is very oriented at the economical studies. Generally, there were many exchange students at bocconi. Most exchange students were economical students though, so in my law classes the students were mostly Italian.
2. Practical information
Information before I left
The international office of Bocconi was really fast to reply at e-mails etc. The check-in procedure was easy to access and complete. Also, I received all information needed on time.
Orientation/Introduction activities
When I arrived there were two weeks of introduction activities before the classes started. These activities were arranged by Bocconi. You had to apply for each activity you want to take part in. I would recommend the exchange speed date activity. This is a very easy way to get to know a lot of other exchange students. There was no mentor or something like that. Maybe it would have been easier if there was, to ask practical questions about for example the e-learning area etc.
Housing
It was very hard to find a good apartment/room in Milan. I didn’t stay at the dorms of Bocconi, but looked for an apartment on internet/social media. I didn’t want to stay at the dorms because I heard there are very strict rules etc. The rooms in Milan are usually quite expensive. Finally, I found a room at milanostanze.it. The room I rented was located in Navigli. It is a very nice neighbourhood to live and near Bocconi, so I would definitely recommend to get a place around Navigli. I was very content with my room. I lived with 3 other exchange students so that was really nice. Also, the people from milanostanze.it were very nice. Every time something broke they came very quickly to repair it.
Living Costs
To finance my exchange I received an Erasmus grant, a student grant (studiefinanciering) and compensation for public transport. Furthermore, I saved a lot of money. The monthly costs were approximately:
· Housing: € 640
· Food: € 300
· Transport: € 22
· Phone: € 17
· Cleaning apartment: € 18
Academic calendar
The semester started at the beginning of February. Before the first day of classes there were two weeks of introduction. I didn’t have any midterms. The finals were at the end of May/beginning of June. The resits were shortly after that.
International Office
There was an international office at Bocconi. There were very helpful and very fast to reply at e-mails etc.
Social Activities
At Bocconi there is an international student association ESN. I would recommend it to become a member. It is only 5 euros and you get a lot of discount at parties and other activities. ESN organised a lot of parties and other activities, also trips. It is very easy to get to know more exchange students through these parties/activities. I didn’t go on trips with ESN though, because I thought that there were too many activities in a time, which is too short. I think it’s better to organise your own trips. Cities such as Verona or Venice are really close and it is easy to go there by train or bus. Going out in the clubs in Milan is not really expensive if you are an exchange student. Every night there is a club where you can go and where the price for exchange students is 10 euros. For these 10 euros you also get two drinks.
Culture and language
There was not really a culture shock for me when I arrived in Italy. It is also a European country and not so far from the Netherlands. Though, the Italian culture differs from the Dutch culture at many areas. Italians go out more than Dutch people do. So the bars/cafes/restaurants are always crowded. People are way more relaxed and take their time for everything. Meanwhile in the Netherlands everyone is always in a hurry. This relaxed attitude can be a good thing but sometimes it was very annoying if you really want to get things done. For example, when I wanted to apply for a public transport card there were 60 people waiting before me in line… You really have to take time for everything. The Italian culture also involves Italian food, which I love. The pizza, pasta and risotto are so delicious. Also, in Milan you can get an apperativo at many cafes/restaurants. You pay 10/11 euros and for this price you get a drink and you can eat everything you want from a buffet. I really liked this as well.
I think the language is very difficult. I tried to learn it but it didn’t work out that well. I would recommend to take the Italian language course at the beginning of the semester, because it’s an easy way to get to know the language quickly and meet other exchange students. I didn’t take the class and regretted it.
Personal development
In your exchange you meet so many people from all over the world. You can really see the difference between the cultures, even within Europe. I really learned how to be more relaxed. Normally I’m always in a hurry or busy, and in Italy it doesn’t really matter that much if you are too late. Even when I turned in an assignment after the date it was due, it turned out to be no problem. I really like the cities in Italy, so my best experiences in my exchange were definitely the trips I made. Also, the courses I took at Bocconi really helped me out to figure out which masters I want to apply for next semester.
3. Academic information
All the courses I took at Bocconi were in English. The courses I took are in the table below. I would recommend all courses I took except for company and business law. The lessons of this course were not so good and the exam was really hard. The other courses were pretty easy. For the courses you had to study a lot of material, because there were 2 classes a week per subject, but the exams were relatively easy. Also, I think the professors at Bocconi give out high grades more often than the ones of Tilburg University. For 3 of the 4 courses I took there was a group assignment to get extra points at your exam. Overall, I am very content with the results of the courses I took at Bocconi.
Course / Exam / ECTSCompany and Business law (advanced course) (20138) / Written / 6
Legal Issues in Marketing (20139) / Written / 6
Financial Institutions and Markets Law (20193) / Written / 6
Banking Law / Written / 6
4. Tips for future students
· Get a public transport card (ATM Card) at one of the ATM service points. I wouldn’t go to the ATM point at duomo because it’s very busy. It is 22 euros to travel with bus/tram/metro with this card per month.
· Apply for the Italian language course. It is an easy way to meet many other exchange students.
· Get a phone contract at the TIM store near Bocconi. They have a special deal for Bocconi students.
· Get an apartment in the neighbourhood of Navigli. It is really nice and near Bocconi.
· Try a lot of apperativos. They are cheap and really nice.
· Get a credit card. I didn’t have one when I arrived in Italy, but I found out you need it for some things. So I requested one and got it during my exchange, but it would be easier if I already had one.