Retrospect coffee menu1/7/2024 Interestingly, it turned out to be one of the more dynamic courses I had taken up to that point, as climate change was positioned at center stage and the professor illustrated viewpoints from not just corporations, but also scientists, governments, and consumers. The courses offered at SDA Bocconi during my exchange had some overlap with the courses I’d already taken at Booth, thus, I took classes that wouldn’t normally pique my interest, e.g., Corporate Sustainability. ![]() My time at SDA Bocconi has been nothing short of excellent the students are welcoming, the professors are engaging, and the campus’ aesthetics are breathtaking. The goal of conversing with Johnny morphed into a deeper love for the Italian language and culture, and I couldn’t have been happier to immerse myself in the regional academia. I began speaking Italiano whenever I could I’d order food, greet random passersby, speak to cashiers, and talk to my wife. At first, I decided to audit the course to assuage my fears of being ignominious, but the more I learned the more confident I became, and I eventually decided to participate for a grade at the end of the course. So, as a part of my MBA exchange, I took Italiano as a course at SDA Bocconi. We grew tired of not understanding each other and made a pact to learn each other’s native tongue so that we may better converse. After my third visit to his café, I tried explaining, to no avail, that I lived next door and that the mesmerizing smell of his café’s coffee was an elixir to my morning spell of lethargy. Johnny’s English was slightly better than my Italiano, but we could hardly understand each other when we first met. It was at a local café where I met Johnny, a 2 nd generation barista and co-owner of Pasticceria Caravaggio. Let the record show that my wife and I avoided Starbucks, and we only patronized local cafés. We visited the Duomo, the Galleria, the Castello Sforzesco, and the Naviglio Canals all within the first 48 hours!Īnd then, there was the coffee. Milano is exquisite, and like Chicago, is easy to navigate on foot. After we got accustomed to our living situation, we decided to venture into the city. when we aren’t restricted to appliance usage). Thus, my wife and I decided to be meticulous with our appliance usage after we experienced more than ten power outages within the first five hours of our stay (which, in retrospect, says more about us and how much power we waste in the U.S. Our accommodations were quite contrary to what we had been accustomed to in the U.S., e.g., no two major appliances (oven, washing machine, dish washer, A/C unit) could be on at the same time as it would trigger a power outage within the unit. We then drove into Milano, specifically, Navigli, where we met our Airbnb host who provided us with the pertinent details we’d need to adjust in the near-term. I was, however, intrigued by the enunciations and highly expressive nature of the passersby, and became highly motivated to learn as much of the language as I could during my stay. I’d never taken an Italiano language course, so most of what I heard on my way out of the terminal served no immediate significance. One main difference, as you likely guessed, was that most people were conversing in Italiano. Malpensa, like most international terminals, was filled with people walking and talking. My wife and I arrived in January to Italy, where we were welcomed by the smell of freshly brewed coffee permeating the Malpensa Airport. I hope you enjoy reading, or at the very least, open una bottiglia di vino while experiencing Italy from my vantage point. I’m also aware that this piece may come at a time when the weather in Chicago isn’t as favorable, so trust that it is not my intention to embellish the near 60-degree temperatures and sunshine-ridden environment I am “forced” to endure during my stay □. ![]() ![]() It is my hope to bring you on a journey that showcases my experiences, starting from my arrival in Italy and exchange at SDA Bocconi School of Management, to where I am now (on a train to Roma). Writing an exposé such as this, personally, reanimates joyous emotions I’ve been tasked with recollecting fond experiences while providing sound advice to prospective students and my fellow Boothies who may be considering studying abroad.
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