Bocconi University

The Bocconi University Exchange program enables Dartmouth undergraduates to take advantage of the unique academic and cultural opportunities offered by Bocconi University. Economics is one of the few departments at Dartmouth without a term length off-campus program for its majors. The Economics Department has established the exchange with Bocconi University to encourage Economics students to study abroad.

A major focus of research and teaching in the Economics Department is International Economics. A term abroad offers exciting options for students to improve their understanding of the topics the department teaches (for example, the effects of globalization), for exposing students to current economic issues (for example, the effects of a common currency, the Euro, on economic growth) and to introduce students to different schools of economic thought. Additionally, this program will allow Dartmouth students to benefit from the experience of a small, urban university in a country with a social and economic system much different than our own. The program will enable our students to become fully affiliated members of Bocconi University with complete access to libraries, lectures, seminars and other facilities. Similarly, Bocconi students coming to Dartmouth will experience an environment much different from their own institution and will have complete access to Dartmouth facilities. Both institutions will benefit from the cross-fertilization process that will result from this exchange.

About Bocconi University
Like Dartmouth College, Bocconi University is a small, private university and its organization and structure is similar to that of a US university. Bocconi admits approximately 2,500 students a year and the university's students are selected from among the best and brightest students in Italy. Contrary to other Italian universities, Bocconi is organized as a campus, which includes all facilities (library, cafeterias, dorms, gyms) and modern classrooms with state-of-the-art technology. Bocconi has emerged in Europe as a leading institution to undertake study and do research in Economics and Business. The University offers several advanced degrees (MBA and Ph.D. in Economics and Business) and hosts a number of prestigious research centers, such as the Innocenzo Gasparini Institute for Economic Research (IGIER). Overall, Bocconi University is famous in Italy for its undergraduate program, which is considered one of the best in the country.

Bocconi University offers exchange programs with some of the major and more prestigious universities in the US (Cornell University, University of Chicago, University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, etc.) and across the world. Most importantly, Bocconi offers a host of services that can be particularly helpful to Dartmouth students. Faculty appointed by Bocconi will serve as faculty advisors for Dartmouth students, and can assist them in choosing courses and in navigating the academic system at Bocconi. In addition, each Dartmouth student will be paired with an undergraduate student at Bocconi who can provide additional mentoring.

The application process for this program is competitive, every year about 5 students are selected for this program. Students first apply through the Guarini Institute by the February 1st application deadline. After February 1st, faculty from the Department of Economics will review applications and make acceptance decisions. Students will be notified of their acceptance decisions on March 1st.

Successful applicants who are accepted and commit to the program will receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute. Applying for an exchange program involves two steps: if you receive a nomination from the Guarini Institute you will also need to complete the host institution's application, which is administered and reviewed by the host institution. The host institution makes the final acceptance decision. The Guarini Institute will provide further instructions on this second step to students after they are accepted and commit to a program.

For more information about applying for this program, see our webpage on How to Apply & our FAQs under section 2 (How to Apply: Application), or contact the Guarini Institute.

Curriculum
Dartmouth students will select from the courses available at Bocconi during the proposed term of study. Students will be expected to take the normal course load of a full-time student at the host institution. Because Bocconi University is on a semester system, Dartmouth students will take three or four courses during the fall term, depending on the number of credits granted per course. In either case, the number, of course credits Dartmouth students take will be equivalent to a normal full course load at Dartmouth. Please note, that a grade score of 21 (twenty-one) from Bocconi is the equivalent to a C which is the minimum grade acceptable for transfer credit.

Language
Bocconi University offers a wide range of courses taught in English. While language training in Italian is not required, having a working knowledge of the language will help you maximize your cultural and academic experience in Milan. This is why preference in admissions will be given to students who have studied Italian or who are willing to take Italian 1 (Winter) or Italian 5 (spring). Italian 5 is a course specifically designed for students studying at Bocconi.

Course Approval
Bocconi University will furnish detailed course descriptions in advance to Dartmouth. Students will also be able to access material about the program on the web (www.unibocconi.it) as well as from the Department of Economics. Faculty regulations require that each student planning an exchange term be in good academic standing and secure the prior approval of the appropriate department or division at Dartmouth for all courses taken (the Economics Department in this instance). Application forms for prior approval of transfer credit are available at the Office of the Registrar. The application deadline is published on the academic calendar.  

**No late applications will be accepted.**   

Oral approval does not serve in place of written approval.

Upon completion of the exchange, the exchange coordinator at the host institution will forward the transcript to the Office of the Registrar, Dartmouth College. Future transcripts of exchange program grades must be obtained by the student from the exchange institution.

Students are encouraged to apply for a room in Bocconi's dorm for international students, though students may also identify and secure private, off-campus accommodations. Bocconi dorms are self-serviced, meaning that students prepare their own meals in shared kitchens, though students can also make use of the many cafes and cafeterias on and near Bocconi's campus. The University also offers many activities to visiting foreign students, including Italian language courses and a variety of cultural activities. More information about life at Bocconi can be found on the International Student Desk website.

Budget Sheet for Bocconi University

Dartmouth students pay tuition and service fees to Dartmouth; room and board fees as well as transportation to and from the program site are the responsibility of the student.  Because the exchange is an official program sponsored by the College, Dartmouth students do not need to pay the transfer term fee that the College charges to students who study on outside programs during leave terms.

In order that all qualified Dartmouth undergraduate students may have the opportunity to take part in off-campus programs, the College endeavors to adjust its normal financial aid awards for students already receiving aid. Tuition and expected family contribution for Dartmouth's off-campus programs are the same as for an on-campus term.

All costs, including airfare and spending money, are considered when determining the cost of an off-campus program. Any costs in excess of a typical term in Hanover are met with additional Dartmouth Scholarship Funds.  If you have a work expectation for the term, this will be replaced by scholarship funding.

Students are responsible for purchasing their own plane ticket and, in many cases, meals. Often this means that part of the expected family contribution is used towards these costs rather than for tuition. For help sorting out who pays what and how, contacting the Financial Aid office is often advisable.

 Financing your program | Financial Aid | Scholarships | Budgeting & Costs