Experience report
Name: Mei Li Ramakers
E-mail: meiliramakers@hotmail.com
Exchange semester: spring 2015
Academic year: 2014-2015
Host University: Luigi Bocconi University
Country: Italy
TOPIC: Admission, arrival, housing
I arrived in Milan and again I was overwhelmed by the city, just as previous time when I came to Milan
to sign my renting contract. From the airport I took a shuttlebus to central station and from there I
took the tube, the most stupid thing I could ever do, I had so much luggage and there were cabs
enough at central station. My apartment was perfect, especially the location of my apartment was
great (by foot; 5 minutes from Bocconi University, 10 minutes from ‘Navigli’ and 15 minutes from
Duomo). The style and structure of my apartment were less convenient and even a little bit old
fashion, warm water and electricity could also be seen a small problems, because we couldn’t shower
for that long and we couldn’t turn all or electronic stuff on, we had always to be aware of the fact that
the electricity could shut down. I and my roommates were very lucky to find an apartment like this, we
knew the persons who had rented this apartment in the period before our exchange period and so we
could take it over.
Bocconi University offered housing as well but I didn’t need it by myself, from what I have heard I
should never choose for the housing of Bocconi University because the most housing offers were far
from the city center and far from Bocconi University and most of them had very strict rules.
Bocconi university and IESN (Erasmus Student Association) organized welcome activities; night outs,
dinners, drinks and a welcome information speech. Especially the activities organized by IESN gave
you the opportunity to get to know a lot of people. My membership of IESN was really valuable to me
and I can recommend it to any Erasmus student.
TOPIC: Location of university/city
As I said; Milan is overwhelming! I love Milan. It was no love at first sight but now, a half year later,
this city has stolen my heart and I miss Milan every day.
Bocconi University is located near to the city center, I could go to the university by foot, I lived at
Corso Italia.
Bocconi University is located 20 minutes’ walk from Duomo and 10 minutes’ walk from Navigli, ‘Porto
Romana’ and ‘Missori’ (both yellow line) these two tube stations are the two which are located most
closely to Bocconi University. From Missori you can take tram 15 to Bocconi (stop: Porta Lodovica).
Actually you can’t compare Milan to Tilburg, Milan stands for luxury , fashion , VIP life and is seen as
a work-city. There are so many bakers and places to have breakfast, the Italians love to have their
breakfast as sweet as possible. Unfortunately I was not a big fan of their sweet brioches (croissants)
with sugar, marmalade and chocolate. I didn’t like the pizza’s and pasta’s either but after all I fell in
love with the traditional Italian food. For dinner, ‘aperitivo’ is very popular, it is a food concept; almost
every bar or restaurant has a warm / cold buffet with food (pasta’s, pizza’s, meatballs, bruschetta, fish
sticks, bread, salad, potatoes etc.) you can eat as much as you can, the buffet is free but you have to
pay your drinks (cocktail); every drink/ cocktail has a price between the 6 – 10 euros, you’re second
and third drink is most of time cheaper. It is a very nice and especially cozy concept to do with your
roommates or other students.
Areas you must see: Duomo, Galleria, Scala, Castello, Brera, Corso Como, San Siro and Navigli
(most aperitivo’s).
The best places to have a drink or to grab some food;
Navigli is fulfilled with nice bars and restaurants. You can have an aperitivo or you can go there for a
cocktail but you can also go there for a good dinner; on the left side of the canal there are many bars
with cocktails and aperitivo’s located, on the right side there are many restaurants. I’ve been to many
good places for dinner; for aperitivo I can recommend Maya (first canal on the left side), The boat
(first canal on the left) and Ringhiera (second canal on the left side). The best pizza I have ever had
was at restaurant BIO Pizza (Corso Italia), but also at Rugantino (Colonne) and at Napoli 1820
(Navigli, second canal on the right side).
Other good restaurants are Officina 12 (Navigli , second canal on the right), Cavalli, Neirino Dieci (Via
Neirino, near Duomo) , Sant Eustorgio (Porto Ticinese) and Mexicali (across Bocconi University).
Besides the Italian food I can highly recommend the Japanese food in Milan, so many (all you can
eat) sushi restaurants (most are located at ‘Porto Romana’ Porto Ticinese and Navigli), and they are
extremely cheap!
When you are on exchange drinks are of course just as important as food, you can have a cocktail at
Navigli or Corso Como.
Where to go when you want to go ‘clubbin’? So many clubs over there, where do I begin?
Le banque (located in the city center, open on Saturday night, it was actually not my favorite club…) ,
Old Fashion (especially very popular on Wednesday when there is IESN student night) , Cavalli (A
luxury club and during the summer just as Old Fashion an open air club, many VIPS like models like
to party at Cavalli) Cavalli and Old Fashion are located near Cadorna, Lime Light (located near
Bocconi, I have been there once when there was IESN prom night) , Byblos (exclusive club, not
located in the city center, most busy on Friday or Saturday and celebs love to party there as well),
Viberoom (on Thursday , Friday and Saturday) this is a RnB club located near Corso Como, I loved
this club because I love this kind of music. The club, as well located near Corso Como (stop
Moscova), is on Wednesday a RnB club, I never visited it on other days of the week. 11 Clubroom a
very popular but small club, it’s a more exclusive club, models and celebs like to party there as well,
located on Corso Como next to Loola Palooza and in my opinion especially very nice on Sundays
because on Sunday there is RnB night, Loola Palooza nice small club located at Corso Como ,
Hollywood (never been there unfortunately), Fellini (a more exclusive club but not located in the city
center of Milan, I’ve never been there but what from I’ve heard it must be a good club, Divina (located
near Porto Ticinese, I have never been there because I’ve heard they play electronic music), TOM
was located near my house between Colonne and Porto Ticinese, next to Divina, you can have some
food there, drink a cocktail and in the back they have a small dancefloor/ club. Actually on each day of
the week you’re able to go to a club and have a good party night because most clubs are all nights of
the week open.
As an exchange student you eat and drink too much, I gained weight and I bought some running
shoes (at Decathlon near Castello) and I started running. I liked it, when the weather was good I tried
to run for 60 minutes every day. There were also students who had a fitness abonnement but I liked it
better to run through the city while enjoying the Milan city life, and of course there were students who
did literally nothing, that’s also possible.
TOPIC: Academics
The campus of Bocconi is just as perfect as the location. The buildings are all located in one area;
you have different buildings, I think the oldest one is the famous Lion – building, there are two lion
statues and as a Bocconi student you have to walk beside the lions, otherwise you will never graduate
at Bocconi they say. Near the library and the parking place there is a truck which sells ‘panino
salamella con cipolla/ peperoni e mayonaise’ ; You really have to try this panino, it is just delicious!
Near the main entrance of the university there is a bar called ‘Venti 20’; the food there is awesome;
you can eat panino’s , piadine’s (it’s typical Italian food; it’s like a wrap), salads and more.
Bocconi has a lot of courses which you can choose, especially economic, finance and management
courses. I am a law student so I took law courses, they do have law courses at Bocconi, but not as
many as economic, finance and management courses. I took five law courses but after attending my
courses for two weeks I found out that not all the courses were that interesting as I had hoped for, so I
switched two law courses and I took two management courses instead. Even if you are a law student
I would really recommend to take management courses in consideration as well. There are many
interesting management courses at Bocconi , which do not require any pre – knowledge.
Bocconi has a study guide online including their course offer, you have to take a close and good look
at it; check the working load, ECTS, requirements, content, examination etc. For example; most
management courses had midterms and most law courses did only have finals.
I think the education system was different from the Tilburg University education system, I did actually
only have lectures, we did not have tutorials like you have at Tilburg University, most of time you’ll
have lectures and tutorials at Tilburg University, but that’s not the case at Bocconi University.
Another interesting aspect was that I as a law student didn’t have to use our law books (our code) and
during our exams it was prohibited to carry a law book or to carry even some articles with you.
TOPIC: Social life
IESN and Bocconi University organized a lot of activities for students. Especially IESN organized a lot
activities; from ‘aperitivo’s till club nights and from visiting the ‘last supper’ till city trips. Almost every
evening there is an IESN night somewhere; this means you’ll get reduction by showing your IESN
card at a specific day at a specific club.
The IESN activities are very nice and I would strongly recommend to go there because you’ll get to
know a lot of people over there. I really loved the city trips of IESN, it was a great opportunity to
discover Italy. I went to Padova, Genova, Venice and Verona with IESN, further I went to other
places by myself like Turin, Rome, Como lake and Rimini. I really regret the fact that I did not visit
Bologna, Florence , Pisa and Tuscany. IESN arranged busses for the city trips and when I went to
cities by myself I travelled by train (Treno Italia or Italo).
But as an exchange student you want to ‘discover’ the Italians as well. How are the Italians? Actually
all the prejudges about them (and their temper) are true; they speak very loud and fast, they’re insane
drivers, they can eat pizza and pasta all day long without growing fat and the men are charming of
course, so be aware.
Besides the exchanges students I’ve met, I met a lot of Italian people as well, I had lectures with
Italian people and some Italian students were joining IESN. I really liked the Italian people I have met
(not all of them of course), in general, they were very kind and helpful.
All together; I have met a lot of people from so many different countries with different cultures and
habits, which was very interesting in my opinion and very valuable to me.
TOPIC: Living costs
You have to be aware of the fact that going on an exchange also means spending a lot of money.
First of all you’ll get Erasmus grant, further I have used my bank savings because I had saved some
money before I went to Italy, and of course asking your parents for some financial monthly support
might be a good idea as well.
Of course I have spent more money during my exchange in Milan than in Tilburg. In Tilburg I went
home during the weekends, that wasn’t the case in Milan I was fulltime over there, and of course in
the Netherlands I had a weekend job, which I did not have in Italy. Also the renting costs were higher
than the renting costs in Tilburg, I paid 500 euro each month (that was a little bit below the average I
think but actually we had to pay 570 euro each month).
Doing groceries was not one of my favorite tasks; first of all, it was hard to find a supermarket which
was comparable to the Dutch ones. We found the ‘Esselunga’, a quite big supermarket but you have
to ask for a ‘sconto card’ and you’ll receive discount. In general, groceries are more expensive than in
Holland. So I would recommend to find a Lidl (there are a few Lidl’s) as fast as you can, I traveled by
bus and tram to Lidl and I think doing groceries took 2-3 hours. There is also a ‘Tigota’ , like the
Dutch ‘Kruidvat’, where you can buy cheap bathroom stuff like tooth paste and washing powder etc.
As far as I know, one is located near Navigli and one near Duomo / Colonne.
Further I have spent a lot of money during nights out (clubs, dinner) and on city trips, but every single
euro was worth it, I swear.
What I have spent monthly?
- Renting costs: 500 euro
- Groceries: 100 – 150 euro
- Night outs, dinners, lunches etc. : 250 euro
- Trips: 100 – 150 euro
TOPIC: Culture
A shock is a big word. As I said all the prejudges about the Italians are true. There are culture
differences, indeed, one of them is the language of course. They have a different style of life in Milan,
it is a mix of the luxury life style and the Mediterranean life style; the weather is almost all the time
good, there are many luxury shops, restaurants and clubs, they eat most of time their breakfast ,
lunch and dinner at a bar or restaurant and they have other dinner times (later than we are used to).
The Italians have another temper than the Dutch people and especially the people from Milan have
other values and goals in life, most people are very status focused. For example; Parents consider
personal development and skills already important at a young age, most children in Milan are busy
with church school, sports, music, school and English lessons.
One of the aspects I did not like of the Italian culture is the fact that they are very narrow focused,
most people can only speak Italian, so to teach their children English is a step in the right direction.
They are also very narrow focused when it comes to food; they actually really think that pizza’s and
pasta’s are holy food and that only Italians can make such a delicious pizza’s and pasta’s (maybe it
is true, okay I think it is true). Most restaurants have a menu with a large assortment of pizza’s and
pasta’s. It is not like the Dutch restaurants, where you can eat ‘everything’. It is the same story when it
comes to supermarkets, they have so many different pasta’s and tomato sauces but it is very hard to
find very regular products like ‘appelmoes’ , chicken bouillon or tomato soup and paprika crisps (they
have not that much crisps flavors, I expected more flavors of the brand ‘Lays’ but we could only find
‘classic’ and ‘Bolognese’). They actually force you to become an Italian.
I have visited a few cities in the southern part of Italy like Rome and Rimini; In general I think there
are not that many cultural differences. Over the short period I was in the South, I have noticed that
Milan has a more luxury image than other cities but Rome for example has more cultural heritage,
and of course in the Southern part of Italy they have a little bit more a Mediterranean life style but I did
not notice real big differences. From what I’ve heard, there has always been a little bit competition
between the Northern part and the Southern part of Italy.
I think I have learned a lot of the Italian culture in the past five months and especially I became
familiar with the Milan City culture. After all, I think you’ll become familiar with their habits and culture.
Right now; Italy feels like my home country, Milan feels to me as my capital city and I feel as a true
Milan inhabitant.
TOPIC: Personal development
I think I went through a huge personal development during my exchange. I have always been a social
person but during my exchange I became even more open minded. I always wanted to discover other
cultures, habits and backgrounds, my exchange gave me finally the opportunity to come into touch
with people from different countries. I’ve met exchange students, the local Italians and furthermore
I’ve met other foreign people during my exchange. My worst experience was my ‘never ending’
illness at the beginning of my exchange period, I felt terrible, not understood by the Italian doctors and
I really did regret the fact that I’ve missed some introduction activities.
My best experience? Too many! First of all, I really enjoyed all the city trips further I had some great
nights at Cavalli, Byblos, 11 Clubroom, Old Fashion, The club and Viberoom, especially when you are
able to enter the VIP area you’ll have a wonderful night.
Another great experience was our dinner with my family and neighbors at Club Just Cavalli and after
that we entered the club of course.
There is one thing I will remember forever; the great interaction and connections what I’ve had with
people from different countries and different backgrounds.
Another aspect I will remember forever but this time from night life perspective; The great luxury
atmosphere during the club nights and especially the taste of the Moët champagne at Old Fashion.
The most important lesson I have learned during my exchange? First I hoped but now I know that
where ever I am and where ever I go, I’ll be very open minded, open to discover new different
cultures and willing to become familiar with the inhabitants and their habits, so I would make sure I
feel home on each place on earth. Milan made me more self- conscious and more independent.
TOPIC: Tips for future students
A few ‘random’ tips about Milan / your exchange:
- Buy an ATM card (Card for public transportation; bus, tram, metro); each month you’ll pay 22
euros, only the first month you’ll pay 12 euros extra for the card and the registration. You can
charge you card for 4 months and after the 4 months you can extend your abonnement with 1
or 2 months. You can register for the card at an ATM point (Duomo underground and Central
Station underground).
- Register for the IESN card at Bocconi University (IESN has an office at the university and you
can join their welcome session). With this card you’ll become a member of IESN so you can
join their activities / the city trips and you’ll receive discount at clubs on special nights.
- Carry some passport format photos with you in your wallet. You’ll need it for the ATM Card
and your IESN Card.
- Carry a copy of your ID card with you; You’ll need it when you request your fiscal code. This
is a tax code for life time, I needed it to sign my contract. You can apply for a fiscal code at
the community home, it is near tube station ‘Turati’ (yellow line metro).
- Take a cab from Central Station to your apartment!
- When you take the shuttle bus from the airport to central station, watch out! My brothers
suitcase is stolen at the airport or Central Station. I think it happened at Central Station,
please take a look after your luggage!
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There are many pickpockets and homeless people so watch your stuff! Especially at night
clubs! They work in groups and they have very tricky skills.
Be aware of people at Central Station who offer you help at the ticket machines, they offer
help and after that they want your money. There are many ATM people who can help you if
you face any problems, you can recognize them because they’re wearing ATM clothes.
Join city trips (by IESN) or organize them by yourself! I would definitely recommend Rome
and furthermore Venice and Verona, awesome cities! I regret the fact that I couldn’t go to
Bologna, Florence and Napoli. As a day trip, when the weather is good, you should go to
‘Lago di Como’ (Como lake); this is a great place to relax and the nature is beautiful, it is only
one hour from Milan by train. Another place I liked was Rimini (especially during the summer
period May – October) , we went to Rimini during the month June. Suddenly we decided to go
there and actually it was one of our best ideas. Rimini has a very large beach (sand omg!!!)
with more than thousand sun beds. It has a huge boulevard with many (cocktail) bars, clubs,
restaurants and a small fair. It was a long drive by train (3 hours) but it was really worth it, I
am a big fan of the sun, sea and beach. I would recommend to go there for a few days and
take a hotel, there are so many hotels over there, it’s easy to find one. I found one on
Booking.com. If you go there; the cocktails of ‘Capogiro’ are delicious!
Get your M- ID Card and you’ll receive a free train ticket to travel through the region of
‘Lombardy’. For example you can go to the Como lake.
Carry a credit card with you (Master card for example); you’ll need this for purchases at IKEA,
when you buy train tickets online and for making hotel reservations on Booking.com.
Food you really have to try; Panino Salamella (at the truck at Bocconi University), Panino and
Piadine (like a wrap actually but really nice) (at Venti 20 for example). Pizza; I really liked the
pizza salmone and pizza carpaccio at ‘Biopizza’ located on Corso Italia. Pasta: Try out
‘Rugantino (Colonne), Officina and Napoli 1820’ (both located in Navigli).
Aperitivo: Navigli has some good aperitivo’s, for example Maya.
Sushi: Near Bocconi University there is one called ‘KAMA’ , very good (all you can eat)! And
of course Nobu (Montenapoleone) is awesome, most delicious sushi I ever had!
Mexican food: ‘Mexicali’ (across Bocconi) is the best place to have a nice Mexican dinner.
Other great restaurants: Nerino Dieci (near Via Torino), Sant Eustorigo (Porte Ticinese) and
of course Cavalli; I loved our dinner at Cavalli.
Another small remark: Try the Prosciutto Crudo (parma ham), it is very good!
There is a shop called ‘Tigota’ (on Via Torino and near Navigli). You should go there to buy
your bathroom/ cleaning stuff etc. It’s just like a ‘Kruidvat’ and cheaper than regular stores.
Take a close look at you renting contract, sign nothing without reading and ask for a copy!
Take also a look at the service costs and ask where they stand for and do not forget to take a
look at costs like water/ electricity and look or they are included in the renting price. If they are
not included you’d better ask for bills (we did this).
Download the ATM app; so you can see the public transportation information you’ll need.
Download the ‘TAXI IT’ app; you’ll be able to order a taxi with your smartphone very easily.
But be aware of the fact that there are not that many cabs available during Saturday night, it’s
such a busy night.
Wind and TIM are the most popular providers in Italy. I choose TIM. Make sure your
smartphone is sim lock free (mine wasn’t). You can go to every TIM store or TRONY (Near
Porto Romana tube station and ask for Nicole; she speaks English!) and ask for an Italian sim
card, you can reload your sim card every month with the ‘package’ you want (I took calls/ sms
and internet); it was around the 10-15 euros monthly.
Doing groceries is not very nice in Italy; it is more expensive than in Holland and it takes more
time because you have to do groceries by tram/ bus/ metro. The cheapest shop is Lidl, further
I would recommend PAM and ESSELUNGA (ask for a discount card). One remark; do not
travel to LIDL during the evening hours, because the two LIDL’s I know are located in poor
districts with a lot of homeless and drunk people, who might rob you.
If you want to save money; do not buy textbooks. I bought textbooks but I didn’t need them
actually. There is one exemption as far as I know; if you followed the course ‘introduction to
the legal system’ you have to buy the book and read the (two) chapters which the professor
has pointed out as important. The slides , other class/ reading material and your own notes
should be enough to pass your exams.
I have never made a copy at the University. According others it was a difficult process, so I
went always to ‘Mastercopy’ (next to Café Loop, near the university). Mastercopy is also the
place to go when you need to buy your readers of Bocconi University.
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The expo is organized during May- October 2015; I got one free day ticket from Bocconi
University. I would recommend to go there, it is very impressing.
San Siro is also nice to visit; IESN organized a trip to the San Siro Stadium but it is also fun to
join a match! You have to buy tickets in advance (I’d bought mine at the Duomo underground,
the one near H&M).
Argelati is a public swimming pool near Navigli. It is always busy there on sunny days so you
should go there on time.
Milan is known as a fashion city. Everything you have ever heard about it is true. The fashion
weeks are big events in Milan. You can search on the internet on which dates the fashion
week men and fashion week women will take place. Some clubs like Cavalli and 11
Clubroom organize model parties / after parties of the fashion week during this event.
Bocconi University gives you the opportunity to follow a Crash Course for Beginners. I joined
the course, it was interesting but not necessary actually.
When you go to ‘Ringhiera’ (Navigli on the left at the begin of the canal), you have to try the
cocktail ‘Ringhiera’.
I would strongly recommend an exchange period, if you have the chance to study in a foreign country,
take it! I know it is impossible but I wish I could be an exchange student in a foreign country during my
entire study.
Bocconi University is an university with a very good status, the most famous one in Italy. Bocconi is
most famous for its excellent economic faculty but Bocconi also offers law courses. So if you want to
broaden your horizon not only in a law perspective but also in a more economic and management
perspective Bocconi offers you the ultimate opportunity to do this at the most famous and prestigious
university of Italy. But during my exchange I have learned more than only passing my exams at
Bocconi University, I’ve met so many people, I became more independent and more self- conscious.
Besides passing exams, I can say, I discovered other cultures, I discovered Italy including the Italian
people and furthermore I think I might have discovered a new part of myself.
I consider my exchange period as one of most valuable experiences in my life. I can truly say; the
past five months have been the most beautiful months of my life.