UQ Program: Bachelor of Civil Engineering/Commerce
My decision to study abroad for a Semester in Europe was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life!
Studying at Bocconi, while slightly laid-back, is still quite different to UQ in a number of ways. Since it was near to the end of my degree I took 3 Finance majors and European Economic Policy as an elective. You have the choice of taking courses as ‘attending’ or ‘non-attending’, but either way I found myself having to self-teach a lot of course-content. Professors can be hard to get in touch with and are sometimes a bit ‘blasé’ about important course aspects. However, the courses aren’t so demanding that you won’t have enough time to travel and experience Milano student-life! I also strongly recommend enrolling in the Italian Crash Language Course (even if you already speak Italian fluently) as this is a great way to meet other ERASMUS students!
Thanks to the cheap airlines and various student organisations I was able to visit some cities and countries in Europe (and Africa!) that I previously didn’t even consider. Plus there are plenty of other international students on exchange who are keen to travel or even just go out in Milan (any day of the week!). I’ve met plenty of awesome people over here from all over the world, which I’ll keep in contact with even after we go home! Don’t be scared to live in apartment either, you’re more likely to make even more friends outside of the normal exchange-students-circles. Meeting locals and other travellers, trying different cuisines and beverages, or simply standing back and admiring a sight or daily life in another country really are some of the best things I could take away from this trip.
SOME TIPS:
1) Bookmark RyanAir, EasyJet and Wizzair, and prepare your trips a couple of months in advance. Milan services a lot of countries in Europe and is great for a travel base!
2) Check out ESEG, ESN and IS@B for what’s happening around Milan every week – parties, events, trips, etc…
3) If you really like cheese and want to try some authentic cheeses try ‘Baita Del Formaggio’ on Viale Col Di Lana at Porta Lodovica (5min walk from Bocconi). Of course it’s closed from about 1-4pm every day, like many small businesses in Italy (they really enjoy lunch time meals)
4) I know I’m just repeating what a few others have said, but the Navigli area is awesome for bars, restaurants and apertitivi (aperitif). If you don’t know what aperitivo is yet, you soon will, as this is one of the most popular social activities in Italy, especially Milan.
5) Definitely do an exchange – you’ll have the time of your life!
The picture is from a random bar in Budapest. You can interpret that how you want…