Details

• Italy
• MAECO-22
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Tips for the application process at WU: - While I cannot know what actually contributed to me being sent to my first choice, the strategy that I followed in the application was to be as specific as possible in why I want to go to this university, how I am going to benefit from going, and also what do I bring to the table in terms of credentials. TIps for preparing for the semester abroad: - Read your emails and double check details and deadlines. Usually you will get all the information you need via email, either from WU or from Bocconi. - Try to think of what courses you would take early on (though keep in mind that Bocconi's academic offer comes quite late, so you wouldn't really know what is on offer early on). - Keep in mind that if you move to Italy you need this thing called Codice Fiscale, which is just a tax number. It's very unlikely that you can manage without it. It is rather easy to obtain, but you have to do it once you arrive in Milan - it used to be the case that you could get it at an embassy, but not anymore. Again, it's quite easy, just google Codice Fiscale and go on Yes Milano's web page about it.

2. Accommodation

Accommodation search experience - I knew that the housing market in Milan is tough, so I started searching in March. There were a lot of offers on platforms like Spot a home and Housing Anywhere, which were recommended in the WU student report, but online reviews were rather negative (many people seem to have got scammed and the platforms didn't do anything about it), which deterred me. I then decided to go for Bocconi student housing, but eventually I randomly found out about this company called "The Nest Milan", which is essentially a private landlady who has set up a firm to rent out her apartments scattered around Milan to students. I managed to secure the place in May, roughly two weeks before the application process for student dorms. For reference, I moved in Milan in late August. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to get an apartment with this firm 2-3 months in advance. - If you opt for student housing, keep in mind that it is not cheap and that chances of getting in are not super high due to high demand. Given that applications go out in mid/late May, I would advise having some back up options. Accommodation type (student residence/private) - I rented a room in a 2-bedroom shared flat. I had one flatmate for half of my stay, then I was supposed to have another, but they never moved in, so I had the apartment to myself (without having to pay extra). I paid 800 euros per month plus a one-time fee of 600 euros. It is a lot, but also seems to be alright for Milan and it included internet and utilities. Also, the total cost over my stay is slightly lower than getting a single room at the accommodation offered by Bocconi. The apartment itself was quite decent; it had some wear and tear and wasn't exactly clean when I moved in, but there isn't anything major to complain about. It was fully furnished, had all necessary appliances, as well as pots, pans, dishes, glasses, cutlery, etc. - The best feature, though, was The Nest's customer service. It was available every day from 10 am to 7 pm, helped me with advice and with dealing with neighbors, plumbers, and internet providers. I cannot praise it enough! Location, safety, and proximity to the university - My exact address was Via Rutilia 19. My apartment was within walking distance from campus (15-20 minutes), and the area around it was rather residential, calm, and green. I never took public transport to uni or for shopping, given that I had an amazing supermarket (Esselunga Superstore) 10 minutes away on foot from my place. - The area felt calm and safe. Encountering homeless people on my way to uni was not uncommon, but this is widespread issue in Milan, unfortunately. Still, I did feel very safe, even at night, and no one has ever bothered me, though this might be because I am male. Tips I wish I’d known beforehand - If you go with The Nest, keep in mind that checking out (them coming to your apartment to see that you haven't destroyed it and taking your keys) happens only within their working hours, so book your flights accordingly. I did not, hence I had to spend a night at the airport. I suppose, if you have a flatmate, you could still stay for the night.

3. Academic life at host university

Campus infrastructure - The campus is alright - greener than WU, but overall not as nice. There are many study spaces, but far fewer than at WU, and you have to "book" them in most buildings - basically, you use the bocconi app to indicate that you are using this seat for the next two hours. After that, you could renew it for another two hours. You can also take 15-minute breaks. Btw, if you take your phone with you and you haven't indicated a break on the app, it will cancel your booking. Overall, studying on campus is less pleasant than at WU because of the booking procedure, the crowds, and the fact that chairs are for some reason attached to the floor. - If you are Chirstian, there is also a campus church, which I found rather cool. - Food options around campus are great. There is a supermarket close to it (Conad), much bigger than the WU Spar, where you could get microwaveable meals, pastries, deli sandwiches, or just do your shopping. There are several mensas on campus, though I went to the Pelegrini one (food was nice, but not cheap), which also has a cafe with sandwiches and pastries. Also, many sandwich shops, pizza places, and even non-European fast food places immediately next to campus (my personal favorite was Bocconi Giusti, a pizza place). Academic culture - I had heard stories about people at Bocconi deliberately sabotaging their colleagues (e.g.,messing up their notes if they left them unattended), because grading was done on a curve. It may be true for the Bachelor students, but I experienced no such thing. Sure, students at Bocconi are competitive (more than at WU, imo), but they would still be happy to help you regarding your studies. Teaching style - Teaching was much more theoretical at Bocconi, compared to WU, which seems to be more focused on empirics. Still, I quite liked it - teaching quality was ranging from decent to excellent, with excellent being rather common. Some of the professors are really famous and they often teach through their own work. Also, all of them had put a lot of effort in creating and curating their courses, and it really showed through. Courses: I will just go through the five courses I took: - Monetary policy with professor Perotti. Amazing. It was a tough course, though it had no models or econometrics at all. Professor Perotti is not super exciting in the classroom, but the course itself is rather detailed and interesting - it follows his own lecture notes, has a lot of depth, and covers topics and details that I haven't seen in other courses. - Political Economics with professor Tabellini. Very, very tough. This course is like 65% super abstract mathematical models of political economy phenomena and 35% discussion on empirical findings. Throughout most of the semester I felt super lost and even demotivated, but if you take it, don't lose hope. In the end, it will all make sense. I also really appreciated how interesting the course was only at the end. But Tabellini is a great speaker and the contents are thought provoking, so I recommend it, despite the difficulty. - International Macro and Finance with professors Sergeyev (1st half) and Monacelli (2nd half). A very very solid course. The first half covers many topics and is very on top of recent developments in international macro. It manages to both give you a good foundation if you lack it, and engage you with more advanced stuff. The second half is pretty much just open economy New Keynesian models. Both professors are great and super into the subject, and also professor Sergeyev was particularly helpful and responsive. - Tax, Inequality, and Growth with professor Pavoni. Chaotic but extremely interesting. It is similar to Jesus' Macro Models course due to some topics overlap, but it also has a ton of other super interesting topics (AI, the environment, misallocation, etc.). Also, take this course for the social aspect - we went out for drinks twice because of this course, once with the TA, once with professor Pavoni. - Public Economics with professor Profeta (and others). This is the disappointing one in the bunch, because it was rather basic, lacked depth and had A LOT of filler content. It's technically not from the Econ Master at Bocconi, but from a public policy program, so it just doesn't go hard on the economics. Still, it wasn't bad and I found it chill, and all professors were nice. The couple of lectures with professor Galasso were nice. Academic difficulty - I was struggling a lot this semester, it was one of the toughest in my academic career. That being said, in the end grades turned out great, so if you are struggling, just know it's going to be fine. Exams were hard, but grading was generous. Also I took 32 credits in total, which is considered a lot per semester - most people in the Econimics (ESS) Master take around 3 courses per semester (roughly 18 credits).

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport - Public transport is not as good as in Vienna. The metro is quite good, but dirty, while trams and buses are overcrowded, slow, and often very late and unpredictable. On the other hand, the monthly card is just 22 euros for students, so the value for money isn't bad. Safety - Milan does feel sketchier than Vienna and it's always good to be cautious in the very crowded touristy areas like the Duomo. That being said, I never really felt unsafe and I didn't experience any unpleasant situation while out. Social/Leisure activities - This is the low point of the exchange for me. While there are MANY events targeted at exchange students, they are costly, and they just make you meet other exchange students, which isn't bad per se, but you rarely make meaningful friendships, since you do not meet the same people afterwards. There are also the Italian courses, which I didn't take, but I've heard that they are a great way to socialize and form a friend group early on, since you meet with the same people every day. When it comes to integrating with Bocconi locals, there is a lot to be desired. While colleagues were nice, friend groups were already settled, and people weren't really sociable before and after classes. I even joined the Economics club and while it was cool and provided opportunities for socialization, I didn't really make meaningful friends there. Events - Nothing to complain here. Plenty of networking events and guest lectures, sometimes with really prominent speakers. There are posters about upcoming events everywhere, so they are impossible to miss. Sports - While Bocconi has excellent sports infrastructure, I found their gym and swimming memberships too expensive. International students also often complained that gyms in Milan are expensive. Eventually I opted for calisthenics and running, which was doable, given Milan's mild climate.

6. Testimonial

Academically - excellent. Food-wise - amazing. Socially - a lot to be desired. It was also cool that I got to travel some - Milan is a rail hub, so one can go to many places in Italy relatively cheap, and Italian trains are great.