A Semiserious Manual for Young Explorers of the Bocconi Galaxy

Every end of August, when Milan catches its breath from the summer heat and the trams begin to make their way again between mopeds and quick thoughts, a new wave of explorers pours into the Bocconi area. They hail from every corner of the globe (more than 100 nationalities have been registered at Bocconi), with a suitcase in one hand — or, for the more daring, equipped with just a backpack — and their badge in the other. Bright-eyed with high expectations, they fluctuate between feelings of excitement and the sensation that they have ended up on a different planet. And, when you think of it, they sort of have — not because there are aliens (at least not officially), but because studying at Bocconi means immersing yourself in an environment where today is already tomorrow, and where your desk mate could either become the next founder of a life-changing startup or simply a friend with whom you will have to work on a project until 2am. More often than not, they are both. 

So, let’s begin. Welcome to the Bocconi Galaxy.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Do not be fooled by the elegant marble at the Via Sarfatti 25 building entrance, or by the two lion statues that greet you upon entering the lobby (as long as you do not take a chance and decide to pass through them!), or even by the heavily ironed blazers worn by certain individuals at the Roentgen building café. Under every pie chart lies a dream, and behind every mysterious acronym (ACME? CLEAM? BES?), a parallel universe is revealed. In any case, just to start on the safe side, make sure not to miss the Welcome Days event. As they say, well begun is half done.

Chapter 1 – Entering the hyperspace (AKA “the first day”)

As soon as you walk through the gates of Bocconi (physical or virtual), you might feel a bit like Arthur Dent — protagonist of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a comic science fiction series by English writer Douglas Adams — when he discovers that his house is about to be demolished. The only difference is that here, no one will knock down your house. On the contrary, they will give you: a badge, a reusable water bottle since plastic bottles are prohibited (first commandment: remember to practice sustainability and do your part), an all-too-optimistic planner, 73 emails per day, and a question that echoes in the universe — “Who are you, and who do you want to be?”

Chapter 2 – Maps are useless, but keep one on you anyway

In the following months, whether shuffling around the halls of Via Sarfatti 25 or the study areas in the Velodromo (check out our virtual campus here to familiarize yourself), you will encounter legendary creatures: the professor who quotes Plato and Pokémon in the same sentence; the friend in your class group who already founded two startups, failed three, and still holds their head high; the quiet student who immediately understands the case study and dismantles capitalism with her one question. You will be catapulted into classes, workshops, mock runs, IT certifications, language courses (because if you are not a mother tongue Italian or English speaker, you’d better get a move on, and — while you are at it — learn a new language, like Chinese or Arabic), and conference calls that begin at 7:59am (because 8 is too conventional). You will also understand that the true meaning of network has nothing to do with WiFi, which — by the way — works surprisingly well. 

Chapter 3 – Time is relative, but deadlines are not

Feel free to live everyday with the energy like that of a young Frodo leaving for Mount Doom, but just remember: deadlines do not wait for anybody (not even for goblins, so be careful and keep in mind that your yoU@B is your beacon in the fog); group projects are Black Mirror-style social experiments (but you will remember them as some of the best experiences of your life); professors may seem to come from faraway galaxies (and it is like that, after all, given that a third of them are non-Italian and the rest almost always possess a PhD or years of military-style schooling at the London School of Economics rather than at Pompeu Fabra University — not to mention MIT in Boston, or Harvard), but deep down they just want one thing: for you to illuminate. Intellectually, that is.

Chapter 4 – Beyond the classroom: Hidden worlds

Often invisible to incoming student sensors, many satellites orbit around the Bocconi solar system: student clubs and associations; volunteering initiatives; musicals; tournaments; events; jam sessions; and a student media center featuring a radio station, web TV and newspaper that are on par with major media companies (to avoid missing out, it is best to have a look at what Campus Life has to offer). And maybe you will even find yourself discussing climate justice with a law student and an Australian DJ out on the terrace one night, or trying to score a ball in the net held up by two classmates whom you had spotted in your Blockchain and Crypto Assets class just the morning before (speaking of, did you see how cool the Bocconi Sport Center is?). It is all normal. Ah, and if you hear strange voices coming from the library or from the bunker at 2am… exactly, it means that you are right in the middle of exam season. Relax. As long as you studied and are prepared, that is. 

Chapter 5 – The quantum leap: From students to citizens of the world

One day, without notice, you will find yourself with a plane ticket in hand. Destination: Singapore, Boston, Nairobi or Berlin. Yes, your journey of semesters abroad (have a look here at what those extraordinary travel agents from the International Relations office have come up with, just to give an example) and out-of-this-world internships (Career Services will be your closest ally a few semesters from now: always keep an eye out) has begun. You will understand that Bocconi is not just a place, but a mental passport. A way of thinking, discussing, behaving. And when you return — even if just for a sandwich at GUD with your thesis supervisor, or for a coffee at the food stand with your roommate from the Castiglioni Residence — you will find that you have changed. 

Chapter 6 – Tomorrow

Whether you become an economist, activist, consultant, fiscal poet or corporate law astronaut, you must remember the following: you are not here just to learn, but to contribute. To what? Are you really asking me? Have you not understood it yet? You are here to shape a future world, possibly better than the one you found.

Final note (to hang in your backpack)

In this galaxy, you will sometimes feel lost. Tired at times. Inspired often. Hungry almost always (food availability is plenty, but time is scarce). When you get the chance, breathe. Look at the sky above the Velodromo, take a walk in the park at Via Sarfatti 10, and remember this one crucial thing — you are not alone. You have friends, classmates, professors, tutors and counselors ready to give you a hand.

Don’t panic, and enjoy the ride.