‘It’s even better than I expected, I love my life here!’ was the reaction when we asked ex-Expat Student Noam how things are going so far. Noam is a French student currently in the first year of his BSc International Economics and Management degree at the prestigious Bocconi University in Italy. We spoke to him to get a first hand account of how he has settled into university and the things he loves about his new Italian way of life.
Bocconi University : ‘The first term was a bit of a shock‘ : Experience and Challenges in the First Semester at Bocconi
We spoke to Noam, just after he had completed his first semester and experienced three modules of the course: Management, Microeconomics and Maths.
With maths as a foundation of this course, it’s no surprise that the expectation for the subject is high. Noam explained that the first term is notoriously the hardest with concepts and ways of looking at maths that he hadn’t explored before. ‘It’s very different from what I am used to, it’s a lot of theorems and proofs and when I did the French Bac it involved more of a focus on exercises and concepts. Here it’s a lot of memorising and it requires a good understanding of the methods and how they work. It really surprised me but I have got used to it and I even managed to do really well in the exam.’
As well as looking at maths in a different way, Noam also found the Microeconomics module to be eye-opening, ‘When I first saw it, it was like a different language!’ He explained how interesting he finds the methodical approach and learning about concepts such as suppliers and consumer behaviour.
The third and final module of the first semester is Management and Noam told us how this was the most familiar of the three as it focuses on how companies work and accounting practices.
Academic Rigor is your pathway to success
At the end of each semester, you have the choice whether to take partial exams or whether to wait for the general exams. In Noam’s opinion, he would recommend taking the partials as, ‘It splits up the course into smaller chunks rather than leaving all of the exams for the end. Sometimes, you can also get bonus points by taking the partials.’ Even though the expectations of the exams are high, there is the opportunity to retake them if you are unsuccessful the first time.
During the second semester, the course incorporates the additional modules, Introduction to the Legal System, Computer Science and Macroeconomics with the Maths curriculum continuing alongside this. The academic expectations are high at Bocconi and Noam identifies how it doesn’t really allow time for breaks, ‘After the first term you have exams which seem to all come at once – you start a semester and then before you know it, you have exams! I am learning to organise my workload so I don’t feel overwhelmed and I do still enjoy things like going to the gym and seeing friends.’
Noam reflected on his study experience so far and is able to recognise that hard work pays off.
Do you feel a difference in the approach to the work required?
At Bocconi, I have observed that there really is a correlation between work and grades. It’s reassuring to know that if you work hard, it works out!’
Is it all work and no play?
‘Absolutely not! The work and social life balance works out for everyone, I haven’t seen anyone drowning in work and we have a sort of solidarity between first year students. We have a group chat where we help each other out.’
Milan, the beating heart of Italy
Milan, the financial hub of Italy and home to Bocconi University, is a beautiful city rich in history and architecture so it is no surprise that nearly 4000 of the students currently enrolled at this dynamic university come from international backgrounds. This diverse student body provides the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world :
‘I have lots of friends from France, Germany, Portugal and Italy; I like to be friends with a mixture of different people.’
Bocconi campus is located just south of Milan’s centre but it can be described as having more of a campus feel than that of a city university. ‘The campus is quite big: there is a church, a park and everyone in this neighbourhood speaks English which is helpful as I am just starting to learn some Italian!’ Even though Noam is not staying in Bocconi University accommodation, his apartment is very close to that of the Bocconi halls so he very much still feels part of the action, ‘The whole neighbourhood seems to be students and there are plenty of bars and restaurants, it’s great!’
Noam’s advice for those wanting to attend the Bocconi University
‘Bocconi gives you a lot of freedom and then it’s your responsibility to do what you want, so you have to be disciplined. Living alone in a city can be a bit overwhelming, even more so with the new freedom that you have, but it’s all about what you do with it. Going to classes, doing your own laundry and cooking for yourself takes some getting used to too!’
Noam recognises that the people around you are very important whilst studying in a different country, ‘I have good friends and we look after each other because being away from home is freeing but it can also be a little scary. I didn’t expect to become so close so quickly with my friends, we’re a family now.’
Any regrets?
Absolutely not! I love Italian life, in the morning I get my cappuccino and when we have breaks I enjoy a little apertivo, it’s great! I think being at Bocconi is the best thing that could have happened to me and I’m not the only one, everyone here is really happy. The atmosphere here encourages everyone to do their best.
Bocconi’s hard application process
The application process for Bocconi is incredibly competitive so it is important to know what to expect and to start your preparation early. You will need excellent grades in the years leading up to your application plus you will have to take, and achieve high scores in, either the Bocconi test, an SAT or the ACT. These are the sole elements which determine your admission to Bocconi so we recommend that you begin practicing in the penultimate school year.
Reach out if you need help with a Bocconi application or if you wish to talk the process through.
