A Summer in Milan: Our Experience at Bocconi Summer School

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to swap your regular university routine for a few weeks in Milan – surrounded by world-class professors, students from around the globe, and, of course, a good dose of Italian espresso – the Bocconi Summer School could be just the thing.

The Summer School programme at Bocconi University (which holds a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on EDUopinions) offers a chance for current Bachelor’s students to experience life in a new city – and gain valuable skills related to their study programme.

Known for its academic excellence, international atmosphere, and location in one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, Bocconi University’s Summer School programmes attract Bachelor’s students from all over the world. In this blog, we speak to two students who recently packed their bags and flew to Italy for an unforgettable three weeks at the Bocconi Summer School.

Read on to find out what these two Bachelor’s students thought about the summer school at Bocconi University, and how the experience has impacted their overall university journey.

From Barcelona and Sydney to Milan, Italy

It can really help to hear genuine student reviews of a university when you’re deciding your options – and this was the case for Valeria Capdevila.

“Bocconi was highly recommended to me from close friends who attended both the Bachelor’s and the Summer School,” she says.

Valeria currently studies Interior Design at EINA University School of Design and Art of Barcelona, and wanted to pursue a summer school programme to further her knowledge of the luxury market. After considering similar programmes at other top business schools in Europe, she chose the Bocconi Summer School programme in Luxury Management.

“I ultimately chose Bocconi because of its strong academic approach, the international environment, and the opportunity to study luxury in Milan, where many iconic brands originated,” Valeria explains. “The course content and reputation made it the best fit for me.”

Max Downey travelled even further for the Bocconi Summer School – all the way from Sydney, Australia. While studying for a Bachelor’s in Economics at the University of

Sydney, he started looking for a short study-abroad programme that would allow him to earn extra credits for his degree.

“I considered many different options, as we are very lucky at USyd [University of Sydney] to have many partner universities,” he says. “Bocconi stood out amongst others because it is a world-class university, with a reputation for delivering excellent and relevant education.”

Immersive Learning in New Subjects

Each Bocconi Summer School programme consists of 48 hours of learning and lasts for approximately three weeks. Students can choose programmes across a variety of subjects, including:

• Digital Marketing
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management
• Equity and Venture Capital Financing
• Global Law for Companies, Institutions and Citizens
• International Business Strategy
• Luxury Management
• Sustainability Transformation, ESG Finance and Energy Management
• Recent Trends in Artificial Intelligence

During the summer school, students are fully immersed in academic life at Bocconi, attending lectures, completing projects, and even participating in company visits. Optional extracurricular activities allow summer school participants to meet other Bocconi students and bond with their peers on the summer school programme.

In addition to adjusting to life in a foreign country, Max was also exploring a brand-new subject.

“Digital Marketing is outside of my normal course programme, so I started the Summer School with a very open mind, hoping to expand my knowledge in fields outside economics,” he says.

An intensive teaching schedule, which typically runs from Monday-Friday between 9:30am and 12:30pm, helps students maximise their time at Bocconi.

“I am impressed with the level of teaching and how much I was able to learn in a short period of time,” Max says. “Overall, I believe studying in fields outside of your regular majors is greatly valuable as it opens your mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking and learning.”

Combining Theory and Practice at Bocconi Summer School

While Max chose a subject that he was unfamiliar with to broaden his skillset, Valeria’s Summer School programme choice was influenced by her career aspirations. On the Luxury Management programme, she hoped to gain valuable experience in the industry that she could take home to Barcelona.

The Bocconi Summer School doesn’t just have students sitting in a classroom. Instead, their time is divided between traditional learning and company visits, offering real-world insight into their subjects.

“The summer school helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice, particularly thanks to the multiple company visits, renowned guest speakers and case studies,” Valeria attests.

Milan is one of the Big Four fashion capitals of the world, along with London, New York City and Paris, and is also home to the world’s most expensive shopping street. So, it’s a fantastic location for students to learn more about the luxury market, whether in fashion, hospitality, or other consumer goods.

“What I appreciated was the varied focuses beyond just ‘luxury’ fashion to also include case studies on hospitality, cosmetics, and automotive,” Valeria explains.

“The programme deepened my understanding of how luxury brands build value and maintain their identity in a fast-changing global market. It also gave me insights into the challenges of innovation in a sector that relies so much on heritage and exclusivity.”

Experiencing Student Life in Milan

EDUopinions reviewers have rated Milan the eighth-best student city in Europe. Students also gave universities in the city high scores for career prospects, cementing Milan’s reputation as a destination for both culture and academic reputation.

At Bocconi Summer School, students don’t spend all their time in lessons. Extracurricular activities organised by Bocconi and ample free time during evenings and weekends allow you to explore the city.

“I am very interested in Italy and Italian culture, and attending Bocconi allowed me to truly experience life in Italy outside of a typical tourist’s perspective,” Max explains.

Max took full advantage of his breaks from class to immerse himself in Italian culture. Notably, he describes how he and other students would head to a local cafe each day for some of Milan’s famous coffee and Italian pastries.

“Within the first week, it became a ritual for us, going to the same cafe every day, which had excellent coffee and amazing pastries,” he says.

This experience ended up becoming a stand-out moment of his Summer School experience.

“There is something beautiful in the simplicity of sitting in the sun, sharing a coffee with friends, talking and laughing together. I think it is small moments like this that make the Bocconi Summer School program and life in Milan truly special.”

Would We Recommend Bocconi’s Summer School?

After spending three weeks in Milan at Bocconi Summer School, how do Valeria and Max reflect on their experience?

“The Bocconi Summer School was one of the best experiences I have ever had,” Max concludes.

“There is an excellent balance between the social and academic aspects of the Summer School, and every day was very enjoyable. I believe the education and memories will stick with me for a very long time to come,” he adds.

“It was an enriching experience, both academically and personally. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be challenged and is looking to get the most from the summer months,” says Valeria.

Do Max’s and Valeria’s stories make you wish you’d spent the summer in Milan as well? Applications will open for Bocconi University’s Summer School in 2026. If you want to start preparing, you can find information about housing, visas, and fees on the Summer School website.