Decent Past Review
By Ellen A (Accounting and Related Services., Purdue University) - abroad from 02/04/2014 to 06/30/2014 with
Bocconi University: Milan - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile because of all of the traveling that I was able to do. That is one thing that Milan is good for, they have three airports so it was very easy to get to places I wanted to go to. I have learned a lot about other cultures and was able to meet a lot of really cool people. But, I do not attribute any of that back to Bocconi. That was all because of the travels that me and my friends here were able to plan. The school set up travels with a group called ESN that I tried/ wasted the first month of my time here doing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The university offers very few resources and they are very hard to find, especially with the short hours that their employees work. The computer lab as computers that are outdates and very slow. Of the four classes that I am taking, only one of them is actually difficult and it is because I am missing 3 of the prerequisites for it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There is an ISD desk that has people who are willing to help but they do not know very much and while you are in their office they just talk to one another in italian while you sit there clueless. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I cannot explain how disgusting and disappointing it is. I came over here and thought it would be a typical student housing. Well, turns out it is a good 25-35 minutes from campus. Also, when I got there there was mold overtaking my bathroom and the building would not replace anything so I spend over 100 euros fixing that. They do not give you any pots, pans, or cutlery so you have to buy all of that when you get here. It also cost over 600 euros while many people are getting apartments close to "campus" for much less that are more inclusive with necessary materials. |
| * Food: |
The campus some dining courts but they are always over crowded and only serve real meals after 12, so if you have class early in the morning and want to get food after before your next class at 12 its not possible unless you want to live off of pastries. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel decently integrated but since I have been traveling to different places it is hard to get fully integrated. Plus, the housing they put us up in is all exchange students so I am surrounded by students mainly from the US and Canada so that doesn't help the integration process. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I do not know, I never got sick. |
| * Safety: |
The city is decently safe, I have never encountered anything. But some of my friends here have been pick pocketed. I would not suggest walking alone or taking transit alone at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I have spent over 15,000 dollars while over here. Since I am constantly buying my own food and also having to pay for transit every day to get to school the expenses add up. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and cook as much as you can because it will be a lot cheaper than eating meals out. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The housing they offer stinks and the classes will make you want to pound salt. |
