This program is only available to Human Ecology students and best suited for Fashion Design & Management and HD. Students of Brooks or other Cornell schools or colleges may not apply.

What is Unique about the Exchange Program? 

Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, founded in 1902, was the first Italian university to grant a degree in economics. Today, Bocconi is a research university of international standing in business, economics, and law. The university is considered to be among the top 10 business schools in Europe. Bocconi has close relations with major corporations and international agencies, as well as their managers and officials, and constantly interacts with the business and economic environment to assess new issues, implement new techniques, and start new research endeavors.

Undergraduate students enrolled in Human Ecology may spend one semester, and in some cases, up to a year, studying at Bocconi University, or Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, in Milan, Italy.  Bocconi receives exchange students from partners at 220 universities in 50 countries on all 5 continents.

What is unique about Milan?

Milan is one of the EU's and the world's major financial and business centers as well as being an important hub for fashion design and business. It is known as the economic and production capital of Italy and the leading Italian hub for services, finance, and industry. Milan is the engine of the country's economy and home to the Italian stock exchange. This cosmopolitan, modern and forward-looking city is world-renowned as a European capital of fashion, design, architecture, publishing, modern art, and music. Milan hosts 11% of Italy's university students and is filled with landmarks, museums, and theatres.

Bocconi University is a city campus, an integral part of urban life, and just five minutes away from the city center via public transport.  Students should be prepared to commute to class on foot (or pay for transit), and commute time can vary depending on where your housing is located.

How can I get more information about Bocconi?

• The International Student Desk at Bocconi provides information and support to incoming exchange students.  Please feel welcome to reach out to the ISD any time with questions.
• Review Bocconi's COVID-19 updates and information
• Review COVID-19 travel restrictions resources from the International Student Desk
• Bocconi's Academic Calendar

Housing at Bocconi

Students nominated to Bocconi will receive housing application instructions via email from Bocconi's housing office.  There is no guarantee of housing in Bocconi Residence Halls for incoming exchange students. Availability of housing on campus is very limited and rooms are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. For this reason, we recommend that you complete your housing application as soon as possible to help you to ensure a place in a residence.  Students who are not allocated on-campus housing will be working with the Bocconi housing office to find a suitable off-campus alternative.

Things to Consider Before Applying

• Review the information on the Education Abroad Office’s Get Started page for important considerations on academics and finances, and a guide to the next steps.
• Find answers on the Education Abroad FAQ and resource pages for Cornell study abroad policy, health, and safety updates. 
• Still have questions?  Visit the Get Advice page and learn how to connect with Education Abroad Advisors.
• Want to keep up to date with Cornellians Abroad? Follow Education Abroad on social media, @cornelliansabroad, @CornellEducationAbroad

How do I apply?

Applying to study in an exchange program is a two-step process. The Cornell approval process must be complete before your program advisor in the Office of Global Learning can submit your nomination to the exchange partner.  Exchanges may have limited spaces, so early applications are encouraged.

1. For Cornell approval and nomination, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by your college and the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page, or earlier if filled.
2. Once nominated by Cornell, complete an external application specifically for exchange students.  Schools typically admit the students nominated by exchange partners, but you must complete this process for them to review your application and offer you a place.

Note: Students nominated for an exchange cannot have an active application to another program.