Hi! I consider doing my undergraduate degree (in economics) at Bocconi university in Milan (Italy), and then do grad school in the US. Do you think this is a good idea? I’m keen on studying abroad. Bocconi accepts the SAT and it looks like a really cool school and place.
Bocconi has great academics and you’ll meet people from all over the world. For economics it’s got worldwide reputation and a great alumni network in Europe.
The classes are in English but everything else will be in Italian (administration, daily life, general interactions) so hopefully you’re in AP Italian or dual enrollment Italian classes and doing well (if not, register NOW for Italian classes at the nearest cc and plan to enroll in Middlebury’s summer program, application is likely due soon). It means you’ll graduate bilingual and probably with basic knowledge of another language.
A big downside is that there’s no campus and no community - it’s very commuter, so the language barrier isn’t alleviated by residential life. There’s a residence but it’s kind of far from the classroom buildings (as in, take a bus far, other part of town far - not ‘it’s 10mn to the dining hall’ far.)
Another aspect is that for all its academic strengths and international reputation, it’s an Italian public university which means funding troubles. Don’t expect small discussion sections or academic support or amenities or a smoothly functioning administration (you’ll get a new appreciation for American civil servants after a stint in Italy.)
I would advise against it for the reasons mentioned above. A better option is just go to a top US econ program and make sure that you could do a junior year at Bocconi studying economics.
Based on prior posts, the OP is Norwegian, so their conception of a college experience and work needs are going to be different. It’s also cheaper for students in the European Economic Area to study at other universities within the area, so it may cost less for OP to go to Bocconi or another European university than it would for them to come to the U.S. and study.
^ indeed if OP is Norwegian, not American, Bocconi would make more sense - there’s no expectation of a campus or college experience, and a Norwegian student would have more cultural savvy.
Thank you so much everyone!
Yes, I’m Norwegian. I originally planned on studying in the US, I’ve done the SAT and personal statement, but found out it wouldn’t be worth it - it’s so expensive and I’d be left with lots of debts.
I’d also found UK (London) to be an alternative, but it’s also really expensive.
If I study at Bocconi, on the other hand, I will have close to zero debts (thanks to Norwegian scholarships) and I might even get a scholarship from Bocconi because I did well on the SAT.
I’ve always wanted to study in the US, but as for now I think doing my masters there is a better plan. Moreover, Bocconi has great exchange programs to top schools in the US (at to no additional fees).
Later in life I really hope I’ll get the chance to work in the US or UK. Do you think I’ll be able to do this if I do UG at Bocconi and graduate school at a really good school in the US? (if I get in of course)
And do you think UG Bocconi would be a better option than studying at e.g. UCL in London? Bocconi = almost no debts
UCL = HUGE debts
And btw in Europe the bachelor degree will take three years, not four.
Thank you!
Yes, Bocconi is a better choice than UCL in this case. You can indeed spend a year from Bocconi at a prestigious US university, do well, then return for graduate school. If you do that, you’ll have a shot.
A significant number of my relatives live in Italy and have studied at Bocconi. Some of the younger ones have come to the US for a year and very much enjoyed the experience. It is definitely an excellent school but please note that it is NOT a public university but a private university. There are not many private universities in Italy but this, and the Catholic universities are among them. This means that there will be tuition costs but certainly not as much as in the US or UK.
@xraymancs Yes, I have taken that into account 
Thanks.
@MYOS1634 Thank you for all your help!