How I Gained Skills For an International Career on a Bocconi Double Degree

Have you ever thought about gaining two graduate business degrees – at the same time? This is entirely possible with a double degree, which allows you to spend half of your studies at your home school and half at a second institution. In completing credits at both institutions, you’ll graduate with two Master’s degrees – which, in addition to being a powerful addition to your resume, can also teach you additional skills that will benefit your future career.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management from Bocconi University in July 2024, Benedetta Paoletta knew she wanted to continue her business education at Bocconi. She chose the Double Degree pathway on Bocconi’s top-ranked Master’s in International Management programme – and is currently in the second half of her programme at HEC Montréal in Canada.

In this blog, we speak to Benedetta about her experience studying at both Bocconi University and HEC Montréal, and how a double degree has prepared her for an international career.

Choosing Bocconi University for Business Studies

Benedetta had already spent three years at Bocconi, but felt no desire to move anywhere else for her graduate degree.

“Choosing to continue my studies at Bocconi felt almost natural,” she says. “My undergraduate experience had been incredibly formative: academically, personally, and professionally. I knew I wasn’t ready to leave that environment behind. I felt that the Bachelor had given me a strong foundation, but I also sensed that Bocconi still had so much more to offer me.”

Staying at Bocconi meant remaining part of a close-knit community of friends and mentors – but there was also a professional motivation behind Benedetta’s choice.

“Bocconi’s strong reputation and vast network were key factors in my decision,” she notes. “I knew that a Master’s degree from Bocconi would not only deepen my knowledge but also open doors to opportunities across Europe and beyond, including the possibility of pursuing a Double Degree.”

The MSc International Management at Bocconi

Given her ambitions of pursuing an international career, the MSc in International Management was an easy choice. “The programme is designed with a strong global orientation, both in terms of content and student experience, which was exactly what I was looking for,” Benedetta explains.

During year two, MSc students can choose a concentration, tailoring their degree to specific job markets like HR, finance, and entrepreneurship. In Benedetta’s case, the consulting specialisation appealed to her the most; in this concentration, students pursue specific electives in areas such as big data, digital transformation, and negotiation.

However, another critical element of this programme is international experiences. In addition to the study abroad opportunities available, students complete a compulsory second-language elective and participate in an internship, in Italy or abroad – all to cement their intercultural communication skills.

“From exchange and double degree opportunities to classes composed of students from all over the world, I wanted to be in an environment where I could learn to work across cultures and broaden my global mindset,” says Benedetta.

Pursuing a Double Degree with HEC Montréal

As part of the application for the Double Degree programme, Benedetta was required to complete an application form and, once shortlisted, an online video interview. In the interview, Benedetta was asked in greater detail why HEC Montréal and Canada were her top choice for her Double Degree pathway.

For Benedetta, her reasons for choosing Canada were threefold. “I wanted to gain a true perspective on North America, develop both my English and French in a fully bilingual environment and reconnect with some long-standing personal ties I have in Canada,” she explains.

The application process wasn’t without its setbacks. Initially, Benedetta wasn’t selected for the programme but was offered a spot from the waitlist. “It was an incredible moment of joy and pride for me, and I confirmed my place immediately without hesitation,” Benedetta recalls.

Expanding Perspectives with a Double Degree Experience in Canada

“My experience in Canada has enhanced my studies in so many ways; honestly, a lot more than I ever expected,” admits Benedetta.

At HEC Montréal, Benedetta has been able to follow management courses from a North American perspective, broadening her business knowledge and introducing her to different ways of doing business.

“The teaching style, the case studies and the interaction with professors and classmates have pushed me to think differently and adapt quickly. I feel that I’m developing a much more global and flexible mindset,” she explains.

Additionally, Benedetta says that the move from Milan to Montréal has broadened her perspectives beyond the classroom.

“Being in Montréal, a truly multicultural and bilingual city, has made the experience even richer. It forces you out of your comfort zone and teaches you skills that you simply cannot learn in a classroom.”

As part of her Double Degree experience, Benedetta sought an internship at the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Montréal. Although Benedetta credits her city network for finding the internship opportunity, she says that being a Bocconi student definitely gave her an advantage during the application process.

“Being a Bocconi student definitely helped make all the bureaucratic steps smoother,” she says. “Many institutions, including the Chamber, are already familiar with the quality of [Bocconi’s] programmes and the level of preparation of its students. This reputation makes everything easier and adds an extra layer of credibility when applying.”

“Even though I secured the position through local networking, having Bocconi behind me, with its established relationships and administrative support, made the transition into the internship much easier.”

The benefits of gaining international experience at a business school

Although everyone’s study abroad experience will be different, there are well-documented benefits to studying and working in another country. In one study of American students who had studied abroad during their programmes, 84% said they had gained skills that were valuable for their future jobs.

For Benedetta, the experience has strengthened her confidence in her core business skills and developed additional practical skills that will be essential in her future career.

“Bocconi gave me a solid analytical foundation, a strong work ethic and the ability to perform under pressure, all essential skills in any competitive business environment. The mix of teamwork, real-world scenarios, and constant deadlines has helped me develop a more pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset,” she explains.

“Experiencing both universities has made me more confident, adaptable, and globally aware.”

Why pursue a double degree at Bocconi University

Though Benedetta is only halfway through her year at HEC Montréal, she is already convinced of the value of her Double Degree.

“It is challenging, of course, but the personal and academic growth it brings is unbelievable. You gain a second academic perspective, international exposure, language skills and a network that stays with you for life. For me, it has been one of the best choices I have ever made,” she explains.

As for her time at Bocconi University, Benedetta says it’s the combination of the rigorous academic environment and the experiences outside of the classroom that make this school special.

“The friendships you build, the international environment you become part of, the exposure to brilliant professors and ambitious peers: it all creates a unique atmosphere that stays with you long after you leave campus.”

Her advice for prospective Bocconi applicants?

“Don’t limit yourself to studying; join associations, attend events, speak to alumni, explore all the opportunities Bocconi offers. This university opens doors, but you’re the one who has to walk through them.”

“Most importantly, remember that you don’t have to be perfect, you just need to be willing to work hard and believe in your own potential,” Benedetta adds. “If you do that, Bocconi will give you so much more than a degree: it will give you confidence, resilience, lifelong friendships and a mindset that gives you the courage to pursue opportunities you never thought possible. It’s challenging at times, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

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