Welcome Lounge: International Students Come Right In!

The holidays are over and it's almost time to go back into the classroom. Almost. There's still a few days before the start of classes, but the Bocconi freshmen from all over the world are already strolling through the buildings and courtyards of the University with an excited air, a bit lost trying to figure out what to expect in the coming years here in Milan. To help International students from 26 August to 12 September there is a desk in the foyer of the Velodrome (piazza Sraffa 13) where two graduate students will be on hand throughout the day to give information about life inside and outside University.  
 

"The kids come from all over the world, even from Japan and China, but the majority of new students are from Russia and Germany," says Tudor Carstoiu, Vice president on Campus of the Bocconi Alumni Association. He is stationed at  the welcome desk these days along with Milda Jasaite.
 

For Tudor and Milda the most frequently asked questions concern  times of courses, where are classrooms,  and how to reach them. "Usually we try to give not only the information strictly necessary, but also have a chat, for example, if the course you are enrolled in is the same one we took." The second round of questions is of a technical nature, like  about how to get the tax code that is used to obtain the student ID required for internet connections and other services in Bocconi, as well as all documents and Italian contracts.

And then you move on to more wide-ranging questions that affect survival in Milan: transport, what to see in the city, where to eat and have fun. "To all these questions we answer directly ,drawing on our experience and referring to the tour organized by Bocconi that provides an opportunity for newcomers to learn about the city, as well as the Campus." Each student is given a welcome bag containing a survival kit for these first few Italian weeks, where they will find a schedule of classes and the program of the Welcome Days 2014, a map of Milan marked with the public transit lines, a booklet with practical information such as directions to get residence permit, how to open a bank account, Italian telephone providers and medical care.

In the kit there is also a booklet dedicated to the activities of student organizations: "It is important that international students are aware of the activities of these associations and participate in them, so that they can have a 360 degree Bocconi experience."