IS@B

MAG

January 2011

Image by Tommaso Nervegna

Including:

Campus Map

Milan Survival Guide

Bocconi Tips

ExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchangeExchange Issue! Issue! Issue!

Roentgen Building

Sraffa BuildingThe Velodromo

Bocconi Building

Sarfatti Building

The LibraryMasterCopy

EGEA Book Store

Bocconi Campus Map

Sarfatti Building:Otherwise known as the main building, or the “lions building” due to the two green lion statues marking the entrance. Most of the lectures and Bocconi administration take place in this building. It contains Aulas 1 to 4.4, Zappa, Notari, Manfredini, Perego and Maggiore. Among the many of� ces located in the main building, the most important to note are the TCA of� ce (� nance), the ISU of� ce (for international student administration and accommodation) and the general segreteria. A canteen is located on the very bottom � oor, as well as the public computer room with printers.

Mastercopy: Some of your classes don’t have an of� cial textbook, rather a “dispensa” -an assortment of required readings that you can get freshly printed from the “Mastercopy” print shop.

The Volodromo: The round building. Contains three � oors worth of classrooms from room

N01 to room N39.

Bocconi Building: Contains classrooms P01 and P02, as well as the second canteen.

Roentgen Building: This is the newest (and biggest) building on campus containing all of the of� ces of the professors. You’ll only have to venture in here when you want to attend of� ce hours, or go to a paper show. Most of Bocconi’s conferences are also held in this building.

The Library: Some students spend their lives here, others come just for the 24 hour panic before the exam. The language centre and of� ces are also located in this building.

Sraffa Building: Contains only of� ces (many of them). In particular, here you can � nd the

international relations of� ce (exchange), the careers of� ce and the campus life of� ce.

EGEA Book Store: Where all Bocconi students can go to buy their textbooks at not particularly reasonable prices.

international relations of� ce (exchange), the careers of� ce and the campus life

Some of your classes don’t have an of� cial textbook, rather a “dispensa” -an assortment of required

Bocconi Campus: Where’s Where?

the general segreteria. A canteen is located on the very bottom � oor, as well

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Scattered around the Bocconi campus you will � nd the “Punto Blu”: computer portals (and, yes, they are blue) that allow you to access the Bocconi website, and thus your student

diary. From your student diary you can do various things: view university announcements, check your student email and view your daily timetable – incredibly useful when you’re late for class and have forgotten the room you are supposed to be in (like most days). You’re exam results will also be announced on your student diary as well as being sent to your phone by SMS. How modern.

Also on your student diary, you will see near the top a tab in fact labelled “punto blu”. This tab will take you to a new screen of options for carrying out fun administrative functions such as checking university fee payments, printing random forms and enrolling for exams. Note well, in order to take any exam at Bocconi, you have to sign up for it through the Punto Blu – professors do not take “forgetting” as an excuse.

Bocconi has one public computer room located in the main university building on the staircase between the ground � oor and the canteen. Unfortunately, the Bocconi computers

are old, clunking and sluggish, and thus use of the computer room should be avoided when possible. Alas, if you want to print something, you may have no choice but to face off against the frustrating Bocconi computers.

Useful Stuff, No-one Will Tell You!

By Anna Clover

Punto Blu:

Computer Room:

Bocconi Tips

To use a computer, you must give your student ID (matricola) number to the assistant at the desk, who will then allocate you the number of a computer for you to use – all computers have a silver sticker to identify their number. You can then login to your allocated computer using your student ID and password.

You can print as many pages as you like as you pay €0.02 for each page printed. To print you must � rst put credit on your student ID card. In the computer rooms there is a black post where you swipe your student card and then pay coins to add credit. You can then send your document to the printer, and queue up (for about half an hour) for access to a printer. You then swipe your student card at the printer to select the document to print (that is, if it’s working that day).

You’ll be happy to know that you can avoid using the computer room for simple internet use as most of the buildings on the Bocconi Campus offer wireless internet. However, to have

access to use it, you � rst have to register your laptop with the “Help Desk”. The help desk is located on the third � oor of the Volodromo building (the round building) on staircase C, and is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-5pm. In the � rst few weeks of September, be prepared for a long queue (c’est la vie de Bocconi!).

Take note that it is possible to use the wireless without registering by connecting to the “wi� -guest” instead of connecting to the “wi� -studenti”. This trick lets you access the entire world wide web... except the Bocconi website. Bummer.

The university library (biblioteca) is located close to the main university building, along the road via Sarfatti, and is for many students the area of choice to sit and wade through

their course readings. Its open Monday to Saturday (yes, some Bocconi students do spend their Saturdays in the library...), and most days it is open until around 10pm.

To get in, you swipe your student card to get through the turnstile and are then allocated a seat number in a zone A-F that is automatically printed off from the turnstile. Unless, of course, you do not wish for a seat, in which case enter using the turnstile on the far right – no seat will be allocated. It should be noted that students generally do not pay attention to the seat number, and will go to study in their favourite area of the library regardless. In peak times (i.e. close to exam sessions) the library will � ll up fast so you may have to wait for a seat to become available. If so, there is an “electronic waiting list” next to the turnstiles that you can add yourself to by, as always, swiping your student ID card.

Once you’re in, you can leave for a break of up to twenty minutes without losing your seat, but only if you leave via the turnstile on the far left (not the turnstiles labelled “Uscita De� nitiva”!).

If you want to take a book from the library you need to � rst reserve it using the computers in the library. Open internet explorer on these computers and it will automatically go to the library website. You can then search for the book you want, by title and author, and reserve a copy. Once you have successfully reserved it, you can then go straight to the “book loans” desk, hand over your student card and the librarian will give you the copy (although you may be told to wait half an hour... and then another half an hour... and then another.)

There are also photocopying facilities in the library, but for €0.05 a page the quality is very poor, so you are better off going to one of the many printing shops in Via Blingy - they both cost less and print a better quality.◆

University Wireless Internet:

Library:

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As an exchange student one needs to be proactive in ful� lling the of� cial requirements. You never know what small omission might snow ball into major troubles for you later...

Go to the ISD of� ce: The International Students’ Desk is located in the Sraffa building, 3rd � oor – Room 305. If you have any confusion just ask anyone of the so many amiable fellow Bocconi students of the location of the “New Building”. Once you get there, you receive the Bocconi Welcome Kit and useful information about the Welcome Desk, University Tour, Italian Language Course, Visa/Permit of Stay Info and Assistance, Housing Support, Welcome/Orientation Meeting, Buddy Service and the Academic Advisor.

You will also be issued your university identity card, which you need for access to the library and computer lab.

Go to the Student Welcome Desk: As you move out of the ISD of� ce, head to the main building, again in case of any doubt regarding the location, ask anyone for the “Old Building”. As you enter you would be greeted not only by the two majestic lions of Bocconi, but also the charming and orange clad volunteers managing the various desks.

Head to the welcome desk and you will be informed about the enrollment for the various Milan tours. Enroll for the ones you are keen on taking. Also, con� rm the location of the Permit of Stay session room so that you don’t miss this part of the induction phase.

Permit of Stay Session: This is one of the most important sessions to attend due to two major reasons. Firstly, the form is in Italian so you will need a lot of assistance in � lling it properly. Secondly this is a legal requirement and you need to apply for the permit within eight days of your arrival in Italy. You will be made to � ll a demo form during the session.

Enrollment for the Italian crash course: There is an option for enrolling for an Italian language crash course. Anyways, this would had been made clear to you while you were sent the of� cial welcome mail from Bocconi. If you have enrolled, then be sure to enquire about the timings and room locations. Get yourself acquainted with your student diary https://agenda.unibocconi.it/. It will guide you apropos your class rooms, time tables and also the course enrollment � nalization.

On the of� cial side this very much entails all you need to do to enroll in Bocconi, and you then are all set for a fun � lled roller coaster exchange trimester. Milano not only loves Fashion but also international exchange students like you. Ciao.◆

Exchange Student EssentialsBy Gaurav Dixit

J��� U�!

IS@BInternational Students at Bocconi

IS@B MagEmail: camilla.gai@gmail.com

Written by students for students, IS@B Mag is the English language student magazine of Bocconi. Its published four times a year, and is bursting with student opinions on campus life, news and entertainment. From discussing exam cramming techniques to the EU crisis to the latest � lm reviews - IS@B Mag has it all! Want to write for us a journalist? Be creative and work on the design? Or � ex your management skills as part of the public relations team? Then don’t be shy and drop us an email at: camilla.gai@gmail.com

IS@B SportEmail: alex.bottarelli@isatb.com

The IS@B Sports crew’s sole purpose is to organize sport events to stimulate the

integration of international students into the big meltin’ pot that is our university. The Soccer World Cup held this past November made the Sports crew very proud: more than ever, a lot of competition led to an amazing � nal stage this year. The future holds many events like the spring edition of the 5-a- side soccer World Cup; we are also planning many surprises: a basketball tournament, ping pong, football... Our plans for this coming semester are very ambitious, but we’ll do our best to hit our targets nonetheless. So, join our IS@B facebook group and get in shape: the next tournament might just be right around the corner. Join the Facebook Group:

“International Students at Bocconi” to keep up with all the latest IS@B news.

IS@B TripsEmail: claudia.fraccalvieri@isatb.com

What you can see around Milan with us? In March join us on an amazing trip to Turin! You can see all the beautiful architecture, try the famous Italian chocolate “gianduiotti” and have an amazing day. In sunny April come with us to Monza - a truly beautiful city with lots of green space, architecture, and of course we will make it special for you! Finally, come with us in May at cinque terre in Liguria: they are ranked in the top 10 of the most beautiful places to see around the world - for sure you cannot miss it. And if the sun is with us, we can go to the water of mar tirreno! That’s not all... there’s more to come! Stay tuned with our trips by joining the IS@B our group on Facebook and for more detals email claudia.fraccalvieri@isatb.com and claudia.todeschin@isatb.comWe are waiting for you!

We are the association for We are the association for We are the association for

International Students at Bocconi;

International Students at Bocconi;

International Students at Bocconi; promoting the active involvement and

promoting the active involvement and

promoting the active involvement and

promoting the active involvement and

promoting the active involvement and

promoting the active involvement and integration of international students within

integration of international students within

integration of international students within

integration of international students within

integration of international students within

integration of international students within to make the international experience at

to make the international experience at

to make the international experience at Bocconi the best. So, what are you

Bocconi the best. So, what are you

Bocconi the best. So, what are you waiting for? Get involved!waiting for? Get involved!waiting for? Get involved!

If you � nd yourself in the pouring rain, in the middle of the street, with your heel stuck in the tram rails, barely maintaining your balance while holding your umbrella and school bag, being almost carried away by the crowd rushing towards their of� ces, and a tram and a driver staring at you threateningly as you

were the last pin left standing after an almost strike, well, guys... welcome to the jungle! Extremely elegant and fashionable, but still, a jungle.

Traf� c in Milan, like S.Ambrogio, Brera, la Scala or the Castello Sforzesco, is one of the monuments of the town. People here do not drive. They � ght. Be aware that as a pedestrian or cyclist you will be automatically seen as an obstacle to overcome and annihilate.

There are several ways to face the traf� c jams and move around this exciting town, but without doubt, if you want to feel a genuine Milanese student, choose Atm. Atm is the service of public transport in Milan. Apart from being very folkloristic (in the oldest trams you can still see a sign saying “don’t spit”, very cowboy- style!) it’s the most advisable solution for your wallet. You can buy a season ticket at 17€ per month that allows you to use all trams, buses, metro lines and some special trains . You can go to any newspaper kiosk, better near the metro stations, showing your student badge to get the discount. You’ll have to � ll in some papers and in two weeks (or so) you’ll get your wonderful orange card to wander within the urban borders.

Be prepared to either run as a fool to get the last available tram or wait 30 minutes for it. I wonder why it’s as if the tram has always “just passed”. Don’t trust the electronic display saying that the bus is coming in 2 minutes, because it’s probably coming in 2 minutes for the following 20minutes. The underground service is very ef� cient but very busy, especially in the morning. It’s such a pleasure when you � nd a free seat in the metro just one stop before your destination after you spent 11 stops squished by an obese teenager who has never met soap in his life. Tiny metropolitan satisfactions.

In case you live near the University, and near whatever is strictly necessary for your survival (your favourite pub, candy shop and beauty farm…also a supermarket if you want), maybe you don’t need to get the monthly ticket, in which case the single ticket costs 1€. It’s pretty easy to have a “free” ride on the tram. My “Italianity” obliges me to say that, but if you are caught, the � ne you will have to pay (a minimum of 36€) will make you hate my Italianity, so better for everyone if you remain faithful to your civic- minded “Foreignness”.

Taxies in Milan are for exclusive people, thus, if you are exclusive enough, use them and feel cool, otherwise try to avoid when possible. The initial fare during the day is 3€ but they get more expensive at night (6,10€ initial charge and 8€ if you have called them) and on Sundays and holidays (initial fare 5,10€).

Riding bikes in Milan is an extreme sport. So good luck brave future bikers, take care and, most of all, take life insurance! Joking apart, our nice friend ATM offer a nice bike-sharing service called BikeMI, allowing you to rent

Traffi c:

The Milan Survival GuideBy Giulia Gustinucci

bikes up to 2 hours. If you are interested you can either go to any ATMpoint ,that you � nd at the metro stops of: Duomo (M1-M3) Cadorna (M1-M2) Loreto (M1-M2)Romolo (M2)Centrale FS (M2-M3) Garibaldi FS (M2) or visit this website http://www.bikemi.com/

Finally if you are very sporty people get � t by moving on foot and be proud because you are saving lots of money for the gym.

For what concerns airports you can take a bus from San Babila to Linate using your ATM ticket, while to reach Malpensa and Orio al Serio there are shuttle buses from the Central Station every 20 minutes. They usually arrive on time, I said usually, so don’t blame me if you miss your plane home and have to remain in the jungle.

If you are still a “squatter” inside Bocconi library because you haven’t yet found a good, affordable � at to live in - don’t be discouraged! It’s just a matter of time and patience!

Finding decent and cheap accommodation very close to the University is quite hard, and it may be virtually impossible if you don’t want to share a room with at least another person. Landlords in this area have understandably acquired the capitalistic pro� t-maximizing spirit of our school. For a double room you can � nd, relatively easily, something reasonable and the average price is 350 per month, while for a single room the average rent is 600. If you don’t mind using public transport, a smart solution is to look for something in the less central, well connected zones. Consider that fees (block, electricity, gas..) are not always included, most owners require a contract and if you don’t know Italian it could get extremely dif� cult. A further possibility is to put your “I’m looking for a � at” post on websites such as www.bakeca.it or www.secondamano.it and hope for the best. Otherwise the ISU of� ce at the University will be glad to help you in � nding accommodation in one of the student residences, somewhat expensive, but really comfortable.

Don’t be deceived by those rare, shining spring days. Remember we’re in the foggy rainy Milan. Always take with you an umbrella, even when you are happily bouncing under the sun - the cheating sun. Rain is the source of energy of every respectable Milanese.. they fear the Sicily-like sun and the good mood it brings causing a distraction from hard work and hard money.

Milanese are tough people: they talk fast, spend fast and live stylish . Indeed Milanese are glamorous by nature. They do not follow fashion they ARE FASHION.

You cannot imagine how a person living in Milan could get offended by the “wrong” pair of shoes. Even those pigeons in Piazza Duomo have got style. Be sure you’re wearing the right clothes and here in Bocconi take double care. It may happen that while you’re late, desperately looking for your classroom, you’ll see a � ood of branded, classy students, leaving you wondering whether you accidentally got into the middle of a D&G fashion show runway.

Milan is FOOTBALL. Milan is San Siro. Inter and Milan supporters are like Capulets and Montagues, even more hostile. First thing to do: try to � nd out your professor’s team and it will be ways easier to pass your exam if you go to the oral with the right scarf (black and red or black and blue) around your neck.

Milanese mosquitoes don’t know seasons. They have something modi� ed in their genetic code to the point that they like citronella and love bathing themselves in insecticide. The ones you are going to meet in Navigli are the most invincible and diabolic. Just accept them as a matter of fact, like a beer costing up to 6€ in Corso Como. Do you miss your dog? Now you have a new pet, just a little bit less � uffy and more noisy.

Follow all these pieces of advice and, without even realizing it, you’ll be drinking a Campari, while eating a Cotoletta, watching the “Madunina” over the Cathedral with your new pair of Armani sunglasses on and a familiar buzzing in your ear... Enjoy! ◆

Weather:

The Milanese:

Football:

Mosquitoes:

Accomodation:

Milan’s Going OUT!

By Nicole Colmenares Pulido

Ok, you’re new to Milan and yes, the city is big and chaotic, so we � gured it would be thoughtful of us to give you a few pieces of advice on where to start your Italian nights out.

Yguana: With 10€ here you can get a huge, delicious cocktail and loads, and loads, and loads of delicious food for your aperitivo (and I mean FOOD not appetizers... ) For aperitivos you should take a walk around Navigli at around 8 pm and see for yourself!

Plastic: Andy Warhol considered it Europe’s best club, isn’t that enough?

Rocket: Unconventional and free! Alternates live music with good clubbing, de� nitely recommended!

Eleven: A bit too sparkly, but Friday night’s Punks Wear Prada in de� nitely worth going for.

Armani Privè/Just Cavalli: I’ll put them together because their styles are pretty much the same; places to be seen rather than to have fun, but you’re in Milan so you have to go at least once!

Hollywood: Iconic, but very trashy... but also very very fun after a few drinks.

Divina: University night on Thursday and “club House 80s” on Fridays deserve a visit.

Atomic Bar: Cozy and always full of life, expect to � nd something shocking…

Old Fashion: Wednesday is the international night (= free entry for foreigners), and it is also the only night I would recommend…

Tropicana: Free on Thursdays and extremely close to Bocconi, why not?

Magazzini Generali: The best DJs in the world usually come here, so check the website and see who’s next! (NOTE: Wednesday is FREE)

Leoncavallo: Informal club, it’s what in Italy we call “centro sociale”, it’s not something really de-scribable, just go and enjoy!

Limelight: Huge and very, very Bocconian! (best on Fridays).◆

WARNING: THESE ARE JUST A FEW HINTS, DO NOT BY ANY MEANS LIMITATE YOURSELF BY THIS LIST!

Image from Deviantart ©2010 =jazzylemonade

WE WANT YOU! Join the student magazine as a Journalist or Designer!

Email: camilla.gai@gmail.com

IS@B MagEditoral Team

Contact:

camilla.gai@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief:Anna Clover

Vice Editor-in-Chief:Camilla Gai

Designer:Pinar Karakas

EditorsCurrent Affairs:Valentino Antonio Piu

Entertainment:Nicole Colmenares Pulido

Campus Life:Elena Mirova

Contributors:Gaurav DixitAlex BottarelliGiulia GustinucciClaudia Fraccalvieri

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