Bocconi University in Milan, Italy is one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions specializing in business, economics, management, law, and social sciences. Whenever I’ve told anyone I meet across various countries in Europe about attending this school, they’ve always asked if I come from an Ivy League, which was flattering but also intimidating. I quickly learned that I’d need to adjust to not only an entirely new way of learning but also perform well at a school that is famous for being very difficult.
Milan is known as one of the world’s fashion capitals. Here, dressing up is the norm and even if you’re going to the grocery store, grabbing food, going to school, or even running basic errands, you need to dress business casual or you will feel pretty out of place. Transportation here is also amazing in comparison to what I’ve been used to while living in Dallas, Austin, and College Station. That being said, protests and strikes frequently shut down the trains, trams, and airports, so I’ve been working to stay up to date on when they are projected to take place.
Additionally, Italy’s culture as a country is significantly different from the U.S. Want a cappuccino? Don’t order one after 11am. Want to grab breakfast somewhere? Pastries are your only option. Hungry for dinner? You have to wait until after 7pm, but most people eat around 9/10pm. Additionally, most stores will always be close after noon for lunch/naps. If you want to shop in a non-touristy area, you’ll want to go in the morning or early evening. These aren’t things I found to be negative though, it just definitely isn’t easy to adjust to.
So far, I’ve LOVED my time here. It’s been an incredible experience, and I cannot wait to continue learning more through the university, my time in Italy, my travels to other nations, and the people I meet while I’m abroad.
