Details

• Italy
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

When deciding which university you want to go I recommend looking up the universities' last year's educational offer for your semester and primarily choose that university where you can earn the most ECTS points that are creditable at WU (look at the credit transfer database online). Choose the courses you are interested in. I suggest you travel to Milan by train so you can get the ERASMUS travel cost grant.

2. Accommodation

Honestly, the search for accommodation was painful. Although Bocconi offers residence for their students, the apartments are very expensive (around 4100€ for 4 months) and the demand drastically exceeds the number of places. Therefore, it is highly likely that you will not get a place there. Luckily, I found a private shared student apartment online via Housing Anywhere. Although the condition of the apartment was really miserable (dirty and broken furniture), the monthly rent was 775€. It was located in Porta Romana near the tram stations Via Bergamo/Via Spartaco. The area there is quite safe.

3. Academic life at host university

At Bocconi there are too few study places for the number of students. During the exam periods, you have to be quite early to get a spot. The lectures will be only held in the older buildings. The (exchange) students there are very eager to get a good grade. Compared to WU, the teaching style there is more personal and interactive, and most courses have two lectures per week. If you are interested in IP law, I recommend picking the course "Advanced European and International IP law" that covers practical IP law for different cultural areas (creditable for Spezialisierung Privatrecht).

5. Every day life in the host country

In Milan there are metro, tram and bus lines to get around everywhere. If you have a Codice Fiscale (you can apply for such number online at the Italian Consulate in Vienna) you can get the montly travel pass for 22€ in the ATM app. When being in Milan be aware of pickpockets (especially near the railway station and in public transport). Gyms are very expensive, especially near the Bocconi campus. On the campus there is a 50m swimming pool (you have to show a doctor's certificate that you may perform sports).

6. Testimonial

All in all it was a good opportunity to experience the Italian flair, enjoy the Italian food and the dolce vita besides studying at one of the top universities in Italy. The Italian language course at the beginning at the semester is a good opportunity to make new friends and learn/improve your Italian.