A University for 2700 Foreign Students

A new wave of exchange students from around the world has arrived at Università Bocconi, ready for the fall semester. They have had been welcomed with open arms and useful information, thanks to the initiatives organized by the University's International desk which culminated in the orientation meeting held in the new Aula Magna of the Via Roentgen building.

These young people come from Europe (40%), North America (33%), Asia (11%), Latin America (9%) and the rest of the world (7%). They all were given a welcome kit containing all the basic information they need for academic survival: from the student card for exam registration and instructions for obtaining a residence permit to the forms to apply for a public transport pass and an invitation to the welcome party where they can get to know their fellow students.

At the end of the meeting they participated in a campus tour to familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of our modern urban campus. Many of them also signed up for the guided tours of the city in English scheduled for the coming days, and for the special meetings that address the sometimes delicate issue of getting a residence permit.

After a few short minutes everyone also was in possession of general information about the services offered here at Bocconi and about the registration procedures for courses and exams.

The welcome activities are attended each semester by about 850 foreign students, both full-time and exchange. This semester the crash course in Italian involved 610, and the meetings on residence permit procedures attracted 660. Last but importantly, 300 places per semester are reserved for foreign students in Bocconi's Arcobaleno residence.