Details

• Italy
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

My main advice would be to start looking for accommodation early and compare several options before making a decision. Waiting too long can make it much harder to find a good place and can also make accommodation much more expensive. I would also recommend checking whether the apartment has proper heating and air conditioning, as temperatures in Milan can vary a lot depending on the season. I would also recommend taking some time to look through the available courses before going abroad. The course system can be quite different from what you are used to at your home university. Since you usually have a lot of freedom to choose courses during your exchange, I would definitely use that opportunity and choose subjects that genuinely interest you.

2. Accommodation

The accommodation search was quite difficult, mainly because I wanted to find a place close to Bocconi. I started looking relatively early, but there were still many expensive options and it was sometimes difficult to tell from the pictures and descriptions what the apartment was actually like. I eventually found my apartment through a platform that had been recommended to me by a friend. I lived in a private apartment (which was basically one room) very close to Bocconi, which was definitely the biggest advantage. I could walk to university in just a few minutes, which made everyday life very easy. However, the quality of the apartment was unfortunately much worse than expected, especially considering the price. The apartment was advertised as newly renovated, but when I arrived it was dirty, the heating did not work and there were several other problems (like a broken AC during the summer time). My main advice would be to start looking early and compare as many apartments as possible. I would also recommend checking reviews and experiences from previous tenants instead of only relying on the pictures and description. It is also important to check beforehand whether the apartment has proper heating and air conditioning, as Milan can get very cold in winter and very hot in summer.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at Bocconi was really great. The facilities were modern and there were many places to study. I also really liked that there were water stations everywhere where you could refill your bottle, which was a small but nice detail. Overall, I really enjoyed spending time on campus. The academic culture was also very positive. Most students were motivated and I never felt that people were unnecessarily competitive or unfriendly. The teaching style was one of the things I liked most. The professors were extremely supportive, used many practical examples and really made an effort to make sure that everyone understood the content. They were also very approachable and even offered to explain things personally after class. Compared to WU Vienna, I found the courses at Bocconi more up-to-date and more practically oriented, which made me more interested and motivated. I would especially recommend International Relations and European Economic Policy. Overall, I really enjoyed the academic experience at Bocconi and would definitely recommend taking the opportunity to choose courses that genuinely interest you. AND: A tip from me would be to check out the café in the swimming hall, where you can get relatively cheap drinks and also study well with Wi-Fi.

5. Every day life in the host country

I absolutely loved everyday life in Milan. The city has so much to offer and there is always something going on. I especially enjoyed the many cafés and simply walking around the city with friends. Public transport is also very convenient, and it is easy to get around and explore different parts of the city. I also felt very comfortable meeting people and making plans, especially with other international students. Overall, everyday life in Milan was one of the best parts of my exchange, and I would definitely recommend exploring the city as much as possible instead of only staying around the university.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Milan was one of the best experiences I have had so far. What made it especially special was meeting people from all over the world, building a strong international network and making friendships that I hope will last far beyond the exchange. I also really enjoyed the combination of studying at Bocconi, working on my own projects and experiencing everyday life in Milan. Overall, the exchange gave me a completely new perspective on university and I would definitely do it again.