A typical GEMBA student is an intuitive, inquisitive, and enthusiastic person who knows how to listen, concentrate, and get involved. A person with a good academic background, several years of work experience in any field, and advanced knowledge of English. She/he is willing to grow as a manager and as a person, to make a mark in their professional life and in society through new opportunities, responsibilities, and ethical values.
At SDA Bocconi, we care about our students – not just in their studies but every aspect of life on campus. This care is particularly important for the experience of our numerous international participants. Our International Student Care services guarantee you will have a smooth and worry-free time at SDA Bocconi.
Francesca Roveda will be there to guide you through living and studying in Milan, in all things beyond the classroom: from visas and permits to stay to adjusting to life in Italy, cultural differences, and helpful tips.
Your wellbeing is our highest priority, and International Student Care is an expression of this. We look forward to welcoming you and making your experience as pleasant as possible.
To know more about how we can help, email Francesca at francesca.roveda@sdabocconi.it
Students and Alumni are the best testimonials of how Global Executive MBA helps leverage participants' attitudes and knowledge. Thanks to their experience and professional positions, they complement the guidance and information given by the Director and the Recruiting Team.
Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
In life, learning is an ongoing process. This philosophy is my natural engine in both my personal and professional life. The global pandemic emphasized the necessity to question the rules, and now the world is going through fundamental changes. It is great to be part of the SDA Bocconi international community to learn together and from each other new ways to approach business, brands and people.
Which personal/professional needs/motivations lie behind your choice?
I am a woman from centuries old civilization renowned for inherent entrepreneurship and meaningful life philosophies. I would love to unite my western mindset with these foundations and propose a new profile of leadership.
What are your expectations for the upcoming months within the GEMBA program?
Learn, share and grow on a human and intellectual level.
Your GEMBA program in 3 words.
Structure. Vision. Empowerment.
If you really believe in it you can do it.
So just do it.
Why did you choose to undertake the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA?
My reasons behind choosing Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA were mainly driven by my desire to combine a groundbreaking and innovative learning experience with a solid global perspective provided by two of the top business schools in the world.
Over the past few years, I’ve been reflecting a lot about my career strategy and how my job and expertise will change and evolve in the future, coming to the conclusion that we are in a rapidly changing business environment like never before: to keep up the pace you must keep moving and learning.
The second reason is linked to the global nature and modular format of this program. I like to consider myself a citizen of the world and an addictive learner: having the opportunity to experience this journey with an international community is an accelerator of the experience itself. The diversity that comes from travelling, engaging with professionals from all over the world, understanding different cultures and ways of doing business pushes you out of your comfort zone while giving greater managerial confidence to approach complex settings. The modular format of the Rotman-SDA Bocconi GEMBA revealed to be the best solution for managing my work commitments and making the best use of my time.
Finally, I strongly believe that the joint expertise of the two leading business schools is the perfect match to meet my desire of broadening my mindset, refining my business skills and being able to spot and capitalize future challenges faster than I ever have.
How is this choice satisfying your needs?
So far, I couldn’t ask for more. The faculty is made up of outstanding professors and the classroom environment is extremely empowering. The Directors and program management team are highly committed to continuously supporting the class throughout every single step of this journey by offering stellar guidance that lets us really focus on learning. Every module so far has been a blended experience which balances interdisciplinary knowledge, new hands-on strategic tools for business, and a strong focus on leadership and team skills development. We could also boast the opportunity to experience memorable “learning safaris” by visiting leading companies around the world, that are intended to give us concrete insights and shape our understanding of the concepts covered in class.
Concerning networking, it’s impressive how the class was able to connect and make strong bonds since the beginning: sharing, forming trust and helping one another towards deliverables and goals is allowing us to develop new ways of thinking and, why not…even offering potential business opportunities, career advice, personal growth, or simply new knowledge. We all have diversified backgrounds and roles, we come from 26 different countries and from several industries with various seniorities and generations, but everyone is striving for excellence and we all share the same vision and passion for learning and business challenges. That’s key to getting the most from the program.
What are your expectations for the upcoming international modules?
Keep fostering my network inside and outside the program by leveraging all the hands-on opportunities, keep learning and I can’t wait to translate into action all the insights learned so far to positively influence my job and my life.
Your program in 3 words/adjectives.
I would say:
#NextGlobalLeaders which is the hashtag we voted on as a class to represent our team in this transformative path together. It fully represents our strong team spirit and our commitment to always keep looking ahead.
Challenge as this program is an intense lifetime experience, powerful enough to completely change our personal and professional lives from now on.
Energy since GEMBA is for people who are willing to go the extra mile, to go above and beyond the expectations and make a bigger effort to have a real impact.
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Studying and living in Milan means the best mix of culture, leisure, people, and places. Milan will be your campus – a city in the heart of European and Italian business, finance and industry, with a great potential for contacts and careers. The city of fashion and design, a symbol of the Italian style.
Milano is a crossroads of international culture, management, design and architecture. Today, this identity is strengthened by the super-technological and highly sustainable Bocconi Campus, with its innovative urban space, including the new SDA Bocconi headquarters: a meeting point for excellence in research, education and groundbreaking architecture - designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of the international architectural firm SANAA.
Club activities and extra-curricular initiatives promote ideas and foster interaction not only within the Bocconi community, but also with the business community. Through activities focused on management, education and networking, as well as through annual sports competitions among participants in the best international MBA programs, you will have a 360 degree MBA experience and discover new worlds and people.
Bocconi University has over 114,000 alumni, with 20,000 alumni coming from SDA Bocconi. This dynamic network of people based in more than 110 countries is an invaluable asset. Through the alumni network, you can access a wealth of experience and knowledge, and build strong and lasting relationships.
Bocconi Alumni Community - is constantly growing and includes graduates, managers, faculty and executives from a large number of organizations and institutions.
SDA Bocconi organizes events and meetings throughout the year, both online and offline, where you can interact with the Director and other members of the GEMBA Community.
