What is the different between going to a public/private university in Italy?
Private university take better care of you as a student, are better for networking. Of course they are expensive and not so exclusive anymore.
Tuition for LUISS and Bocconi seem very high (€3800 and €5500) especially when you compare it to other countries like Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium. Do you feel these tuition fees are justified?
Personal opinion: yes if they offer english courses and you plan on working abroad. Otherwise, return on this investment is not guaranteed in the italian job market.
How well would I live off a monthly budget of ~€1100-1200 in Milan/Rome/Bologna
One of them (Bologna) is not like the others. But I think you'd be super ok.
While I do consider my self a quick language learner, I'd be worried of feeling a bit isolated since I don't speak any Italian. Do you think I'd face issues?
Not really, especially if you live in an apartment with other students, or in a student home. I think it canbe more of a hurdle with university burocracy.
It seems like Italian universities require entrance exams, are these difficult? Do all universities require you to travel to them to take the exams?
Some exams can be quite selective (private universities, medical school, etc). I think humanities don't require entrance exams, but even there some courses do.
Is housing an issue in Italy? Would I have troubles finding a place to live?
Not in cities with big universities such as Rome, Milan, Bologna, Padua, Turin, etc...
(Dumb question) Is Italy a nice place for a student to live? I'm assuming Bologna is the more studenty city while Milan and Rome are more cosmopolitan.
Highly depends on you and your habits. But I tend to agree that smaller cities such as Bologna, Padua, Parma, Verona, etc... are better for students.
I'm aware that the universities I mentioned are quite prestigious, would you say it's rare students get in? Are students favored more based on their high school grades or on their entrance exams?
Depends on the school. Usually high school grades count for a percentage for the final list. But if you nail the entrance exam you should be ok.
When should I get my shit together if I want to apply/how much time to I have left until I'd need to send an application? I hope I'm not too late.
I really don't know but I think most entrance exams were this week or the next at best. It may be that you are able to enroll for the second semester, but you should probably call the university's student office.
Any advice for me? I'll probably have a chance to visit at least Milan, but I'd still appreciate any and all comments, tips, and shared experiences you might have.
What I say to everyone with a high school degree: take a year off. Study by yourself what you think you might like, have 1-2 job experiences, use the money to travel and visit places you might like. After this, if there's something you might want to further study, do that. Otherwise, look for a decent job, learn a craft that allows you to have a good quality of life. Above all, try not to plunge headfirst into a career. 18-19 is very early to decide what to do with the rest of your life.
My year off is essentially what I'm doing now - aka working and hopefully having some cash left over to travel. I'm looking to start next year aka 2019.
What you talked about with plunging myself headfirst was basically me going into civil engineering. All my friends did STEM so I thought it would be the "cool" thing to do. I ended up passing 10/12 modules at uni but many of the ones I passed was only barely...
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u/HolyJesusOnAToast Trentino Alto Adige Sep 07 '18 edited Sep 07 '18
Private university take better care of you as a student, are better for networking. Of course they are expensive and not so exclusive anymore.
Personal opinion: yes if they offer english courses and you plan on working abroad. Otherwise, return on this investment is not guaranteed in the italian job market.
One of them (Bologna) is not like the others. But I think you'd be super ok.
Not really, especially if you live in an apartment with other students, or in a student home. I think it canbe more of a hurdle with university burocracy.
Some exams can be quite selective (private universities, medical school, etc). I think humanities don't require entrance exams, but even there some courses do.
Not in cities with big universities such as Rome, Milan, Bologna, Padua, Turin, etc...
Highly depends on you and your habits. But I tend to agree that smaller cities such as Bologna, Padua, Parma, Verona, etc... are better for students.
Depends on the school. Usually high school grades count for a percentage for the final list. But if you nail the entrance exam you should be ok.
I really don't know but I think most entrance exams were this week or the next at best. It may be that you are able to enroll for the second semester, but you should probably call the university's student office.
What I say to everyone with a high school degree: take a year off. Study by yourself what you think you might like, have 1-2 job experiences, use the money to travel and visit places you might like. After this, if there's something you might want to further study, do that. Otherwise, look for a decent job, learn a craft that allows you to have a good quality of life. Above all, try not to plunge headfirst into a career. 18-19 is very early to decide what to do with the rest of your life.