Study abroad in Europe for BANGING
Exchange options in Paris suburbs (Essec), Milan (Bocconi) vs. Barcelona (Esade)
Considering: traveling, nightlife, parties, girls & (culture)
Here to ask all you folks who have gone mad in Europe to share your stories
From a university in APAC and Locked a SA in HK. Have worked really hard in college so the only purpose for exchange is to have fun and enjoy a big time.
Asked a lot of friends but basically they don’t get how strong is my desire to go CRAZY in the exchange before becoming slaves in investment banking.
Really into French culture, but the location of ESSEC sucks (1hr to central Paris), really afraid of having a bunch of nerds in the exchange class rather than hot girls. But I’ve heard in ESSEC students party a lot like crazy (having a bar in teaching halls), so if ESSEC is workable, really still wanna choose here (French girls really are my type while Italian and Spanish seem too much and not that good-looking)
Bocconi and Esade have great locations. I can pick up some basic Italian or Spanish quickly but also concerned of language barrier.
Already deleted English schools and HEC Paris (even worse location than ESSEC), maybe RSM in Rotterdam is also a decent option but I assume the fun there is way less. With all that said, wouldn’t hate the chance to do intern abroad tho, understanding it’s kinda impossible cuz I never heard of that.
Barcelona
I studied abroad for 6 months in Valencia, a city just south of Barcelona on the coast.
Valencia I assume would be better than Barcelona since there are much fewer tourists right? Sadly my school doesn’t have the exchange offer there
Yeah there aren’t as many tourists, so it forces you to learn Spanish. I was hoping for full immersion and had an amazing time there.
I went through UVA.
https://valencia.virginia.edu
ESADE>Bocconi>ESSEC to maximize fun.
2 votes for Barcelona
Agree 100%, and I'm in Milan.
Barcellona > Milan
I thought culture-wise Milan or Italy is so rich. I learned all the time back in the school about the Renaissance while Spain is less shiny.
Personally, I think Barcelona is also better (but Bocconi is also a great option). Don't choose based on my opinion though, you will have a good time in any of these.
I studied abroad at ESADE during MBA, highly recommend it for undergrad. School is in English and people in Barcelona all speak English for the most part (they prefer catalan to Spanish so they don't really give af if you can't speak good Spanish). Also you can take hella cheap flights from Barcelona and metro connects to airport easily.
Only thing to note is esade is not in Barcelona but if you live in a place like Gracia you can easily get to school via public transit.
Thanks. I feel reputation-wise, ESADE is relatively weaker compared with the other 2 (from FT rankings), is that right? I understand exchange school is nothing on my resume, but would really love to know some friends there who are more likely to work in banking or PE (Bocconi has a lot of exchange students from Wharton, Berkeley, and other M7). Actually, I don't really know the landscape in Europe. Thanks in advance anyways for your advice!
I am sorry can't be helpful there, I had 0 career interests when I was there and unsure what the undergrad student body was like. I'm sure your student office will have info on what US undergrad schools send students there so you can figure it out from there. Perhaps ask an alum or older classmate what their experience was like?
Yes ESADE is weaker than the other 2 unis, but still good and if you plan on working in Asia they won’t know any of those schools anyway.
Keep in mind that in Bocconi you would have to sweat a bit to maintain a good gpa.
Overall, nightlife in Milan is very good and there are a ton of international students.
Hook up culture is decent but probably smaller than other countries like Spain
Essec is not even in Paris
Bocconi course in fashion has models in it or wannabe fashion influencers.
Other than that, the city is not top 10 in Italy. Known for the grey sky 6 months a year, it doesn't stand a chance against Barcelona.
Barcelona and it's not even close
Barcelona to study. Weekend travels: Berlin, Krakow, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Zagreb, Belgrade. Greece if you can find a good flight
Anything west of Berlin will be pricier. If you're young, go east. Make some friends in your on-campus groups and hit up hostels.
Definitely hit up the rest of Spain: Valencia, Sevilla, Mallorca/Ibiza, etc. And Portugal: Algarves (beware of UK-folks), Porto, Lisbon. Awesome surfing in Portugal if you're into that
Skyscanner will be your best bet for flights
There is also good surfing on the Basque Coast as well in Spain (Mundaka) and France (Hossegor).
+1. +2 actually
Barcelona. I lived there for 6 years. Once Spring hits, all the girls go in shorts and looking for parties to go so easy to hit them.
Milano is also easy to get girls, studied there for a semester but generally the city is more sophisticated so girls.
To compare, in Spain girls may look at you if you go with more relaxed rich vibes (chinos, opened shirt, some NB for example) meanwhile in Milano they will look for more "flex" (more accesories, stylish haircut, good brands, etc.).
Tip: Get your rent so you can bring chicks to your place but also befriend people who live in dorms so you can pass from time to time there and meet people.
Although with Covid rules the fun may be more restricted than what it was years ago.
Do Semester at Sea. Travel the world and the ship is 80% girls and most of the time it’s bathing suit weather on the pool deck.
This guy ducks
Just advising our monkey friend here in regards to “banging”
If you go to france, go to Cape d'adge beach. It's a sex beach and swingers are there. U might even be able to join in.
https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/do-a-lot-of-people-on-this-websi…;
what nationality are you? if you're Asian, I wouldn't expect that much banging in Europe. In general, Europe is pretty bad for banging. SE Asia, LatAm, USA are much better for that.
Do Essec in France. If not, then do Barcelona but def don't do Milan.
Sorry to hear that bud
ESADE is really good fun!
Plus, it is a target school in Europe. So you still get the benefit of having blackstone / JPM / GS / PJT / BoA / Citi / GHL / etc on the campus for some events.
I did ESADE and honestly dont regret at all. It was a lovely experience - read it as a lot of party / decent professors / great career opps.
If you decide to go, please go ahead a drop me a msg and happy to talk you through the best places (i.e. you have massive parties from Monday to Sunday)
Recommend 100%
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