Details

• Italy
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Tips for the application process at WU for future outgoing students: be aware that some exchange universities afford better GPAs than others, use the exchange university excel file to see how many other students apply/visit the other universities in summer/winter term, inform yourself about your interviewer before your interview (ask other students in whatsapp groups or linkedin what the interviewer likes to hear). Tips for preparing your semester abroad: look for accomodation early (will only get more expensive the later you look), connect with other WU students that will also visit your destination (build whatsapp group)

2. Accommodation

Dealt extremely late with it, try to avoid this. Try to avoid Joivy and Spotahome as you will need to pay very high service fees My booking was via Spotahome but it was a Joivy housing which I could not see until I signed the contract. Very poor service and stupid roommates. Lived at Republicca: Safe, Mostly Clean, Banks and Consultancies are located close, good public transport (metro and tram) Would not advise to move there as it will take you 40 min to university with public transport only I Used metro and lime scooter -> 15-20 mins

3. Academic life at host university

Italians tend to stay with themselves and avoid you, but you still can connect to all other exchange students. The new campus is comparable to WU Vienna, but as a bachelor exchange you will have all your lectures in old buildings. Teaching style depends on the course. Finance courses are very straight forward, there are some lectures that include more presentations and essays. There is a swimming hall and gym but both is very expensive.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport is a bit worse than in vienna, sometimes homeless in the tram, Gyms are very expensive when you try to book them for 3-4 months (70-80 euro p.m. for a gym comparable to fitinn) The closer you live to the city center the safer the city

6. Testimonial

I visited Bocconi university for my CV as it is a strong brand with finance focus. Courses (especially with finance focus) can be more intense than wu courses and may also prepare you better for interviews as you can choose special topics like corporate valuation or corporate banking. The city is more expensive than vienna, but offers great restaurants and bars which of course need budget. If you want the greatest exchange experience and travel a lot and do a lot of party I would strongly recommend you to visit another city/country/university with less focus on performance and more free time. Nevertheless I exactly got what I wanted and expected in an academic context.