Student exchange Study Travel

My life in Milan

Charles – Universita Commerciale Luigi Bocconi

Semester 2, 2023

Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

I studied at finance at Bocconi in Milan for one semester last year, from August until December. My journey abroad really began a few weeks into my exchange. Counter-intuitive, but still the truth. The first few weeks were a delirious experience of meeting new and fantastic people, partying, and completely ignoring any budgetary restrictions I had managed for myself. This cycle of dragging myself to class, going for a sweet treat in between classes and then organising a dinner with some friends did not lose its lustre and shine, but only a few weeks in did I realise that I was studying in a different country, living by myself, and truly responsible for how I fared.

The classes themselves, at a renowned university such as Bocconi, were structured and easy to undertake. Each class with a well-thought-out timetable, and a different, yet easily digestible, exam system. The one issue that comes to mind when studying abroad is the actual studying, and Bocconi did its best to mitigate this issue, through some things take a while to get used to. A big thing for myself was the actual in-person nature of all my classes, and the recorded attendance. A quick tip; don’t pick an 8am class, on any day. Though these classes were the basis of my social life. It was through these classes that I met friends with similar interests, who would introduce me to friends of their own, and who I could in turn introduce to other people I have met. I was very fortunate to have a weekly dinner which I would attend every Thursday, accompanied with people who I have met in a management class. Whilst it simply started as a method of escape from class, it quickly grew, and soon we were sharing cheap wine and pizza with people from across the globe and plotting holidays for future weekends. And while dragging myself to the class was an effort, staying in them was particularly easy with the group of friends I found. Of course, the academics also drew me to class.

Another big part, that I think I learned entirely too late was how to effectively spend my money. I was partial to overspending during my grocery trips and buying food that I either could not eat; or would not eat, when comparing it to something more palatable. My advice for this topic would be stay comfortable and know when you are overreaching. I am not partial to peppers, so I do not know why I would try to buy them almost once a month and watch them wilt and die in my fridge. Save your money for something more important, like trips to countries you don’t know you’ll ever be back to, to events with people you might not ever see again, and to experiences you’ll never forget. But also remember you can do things that don’t cost any money at all. There are countless times I would walk around the city if I was bored, I walk along the canals, around Parco Sempione, or through Galerie Emmanuel. You’d do well to not forget that while you have so many countries and cultures surrounding you, there is also a whole other country that you are staying in, with its own niches and niceties.

I do miss my time abroad, and it will forever stay a highlight in my life looking back. Expect nothing but do everything on offer and you will never be disappointed. I would also recommend a healthy line of communication home, as calling friends and family can be a good remedy for homesickness, especially when they regale you with tales on how boring work is. You really feel grateful when you have come back from Oktoberfest and one of your best mates is telling you how terrible working as a hospital orderly is.

Find out how you can apply for exchange via the QUT Student Exchange website

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