STUDENT REPORT; BOCCONI UNIVERSITY, MILAN, ITALY

Name of the University: Bocconi Names of the students: Aleksandar Ivanovic Exchange semester: Spring 2009

1. ACADEMIC INFORMATION

General Information about the School

Bocconi Universuty consists of several buildings. It has three buildings and plus library as separate building. The main building and where the most of lectures takes places is old, as well as library. Other two buildings are new. The Univirsety is generally sorrouned by buildings and is near to the Duomo, about 15 minutes walk. Bocconi is a business school with high quality finance courses. Law students are also present at the school, but to a lesser degree. There are approximately 6000 students at Bocconi. The most of them are undergraduates followed by graduates. There are many international students and many courses offered in English. The most of regular international students are from western and eastern Europe, while those coming on exchange are mainly from US and from Australia. The study structure is almost the same as in Norway. There were about the same number of lessons each week as home. All the subjects gave 6 ETCS points, the same as at BI. The main difference is the presence of mid-term exams alternative counting for 50% of the total grade.

2. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Information before you left

With the acceptance letter student will receive his student ID and temporary password in order to choose the courses online. The mail will provide info about accommodations offered by Bocconi. The most international students will be offered room at Arcobaleno residence, a quit social place full of international students

Visa Procedure and travel experiences

The semester abroad in Milan did not require any visa. To book a ticket to Milan was easy task, I recommends to fly with Ryan air. When arriving at the airport in Milan you can either take the bus or the train to get to the city center.

Academic Calendar (spring semester)

If you choose to attend the 4 weeks long language course, this starts about the 15 of January. The school semester starts mid-February, and there is an introduction meeting for exchange students one week prior to the semester start. The first exams period begins in June and lasts until the end of the month. It is also possible to take exams during the second exam session in July. The most of exams lasts 1-2 hours.

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Reception
At the mid February it was welcome dinner for exchange students. It is possible to sign up for buddy program. You will receive the regular student to show you the facilitates of the university and show you around the city.

Housing
The school offers housing to students which is available to book before leaving home. The dorm offered is Arcobaleno residence which is nice place with pretty new furniture and cleaning service once a week. The most students living here are international. The only disadvantage is location, its

half an hour by train away from university. Many students choose to rent the apartment near university, but prices are high if considering to live alone.

Costs
You will probably need the same amount to spend on rent and books as in Norway. Food is a lot cheaper, both in the supermarkets and if you choose to eat at a restaurant.

The International Office

Universit Bocconi has an international office like BI. You register here when you arrive, and you get a welcome package with information about the university and Milan. You also receive your student ID, which is needed to use the library or the computer rooms. The international office is open Monday to Friday, and you can drop buy and ask if you have a problem or just a question. They are very helpful.

Social Activities
From the beginning of my stay ( I took the Italian course) it was many parties for international students and it was easy to get in touch with people. Exchange students are famous for going out a lot and having the best parties. There is an organization responsible for organizating the parties and special events for international students. From Tuesday to Saturday there are different clubs giving special offerings to international students. At school people are very kind and very glad to help.

Culture and Language

At the university there will be no difficulties communicating either with other students or professors. . Still Italians are not that fluent in English. Since I attended just English courses professors all spoke English, but at different levels. Some of them were difficult to understand, while some were extremely well spoken. When shopping for groceries, going out, taking a taxi and so on there will be very few Italians understanding English

Cultural and Social Effects from the Exchange Experience

Being on exchange is one great opportunity to get to know people from different countries and cultures. You will meet many people and make good friendships. Your English will improve. There are a lot of happenings during the exchange and sometimes exchange period felt like being on the vacation. I would strongly recommend everybody to go to exchange and try to experience different lifestyle.

3.ACADEMIC INFORMATION

The Teaching situation

Courses are available in English and Italian. There were no problems understanding the professors. The level of study is the same as at BI. The most courses have different types of projects which are alternative. If you choose to not do project you will be considered as non-attending student and will have little bit more difficult exam than regular students

Required Literature
All literature is in English and literature is more used for a broad overview rather than detailed knowledge. The exam is based mostly on the lectures. .

Exams
Exams are based on lectures and literature for the course. Exams lasts 1-2 hours depending on the course. So, there are less exercises given on exam and it makes them harder to past because its greater possibility to be unable to solve them.

Other
Library is a separate building and is pretty big, but still during the exam periods its crowded. Internet accsess is not available at the library, but it exists computer lab in one of the Bocconi building. There it is possible to use internet and print. In the one now building there is wireless internet connection. All lectures are presented on powerpoint and presentation slides can be found on bocconi e-learning site.

Description of Courses that we attended

6163 MARKETING IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT. No prereg. Attending students: 80 % of the grade final exam and 20% team group. Non-attending students: written exam 100% of the grade. It is interesting and usefull course after you will attain better understanding of internet business opportunities. Approved as MAD 2114 LOGISTIC MANAGEMENT 6008 FINANCIAL MATHEMATICS. No prereg. Final exam will account for 100% of the grade. It is possible to take two partials and one final oral exam. Then final grade will depend on the all three exams. Approved as 2212 FINANCE 1 6046 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. No prereg. Final exam counts for 100% of the grade. Approved as BK 2302 MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 6163 MANAGEMENT OF FASHION AND DESIGN COMPANY. No prereq. Written exam (70%) and group work (30%). Approved as SP 2402 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION IN ENGLISH. 616 MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AND SUPRANATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. No prereg. Two partials has to be past and average of grades is the final grade. It is possible to take just final exam. Approved as ORG 2702

Name and e-mail:

Aleksandar Ivanovic Aleksandar.ivanovic@student.bi.no