Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE — TRANSATLANTIC SUMMER ACADEMY 2007 AT BOCCONI UNIVERSITY in Milan, Italy                                                  Back

Q1: There are so many law school summer abroad programs. Why should I pick the EPO-Bocconi-Case Western Reserve University School of Law program (“EPO program”)?
In selecting a summer abroad program, students should focus on the location, the course content, and the quality of the professors.  With its focus on European and comparative patent law, innovation, and competitiveness as well as extraordinary “field trips,” the EPO program offers students an intellectual challenging and phenomenal learning experience.

The EPO program is unique because it takes place in Milan, the economic capital of Italy and one of the major business, university and culture hubs of Europe. Moreover, Milan is home to one of the most prestigious Universities of Europe, as shown by Bocconi’s annual ratings among the best European Universities (many Italian and European business and political leaders are Bocconi graduates). Bocconi attracts students from all continents and runs teaching projects with partners all over the world (Bocconi www.unibocconi.it runs, parallel to it national Site, an International Site with many student resources).

For the EPO program, Bocconi secured partnerships with no fewer than 5 prestigious Universities and is co-organizing the Course with the European Patent Office (EPO), the European governmental body running Europe’s patent system, ensuring participants unique interdisciplinary and international IP course contents in a dynamic, open, efficient, appealing and smiling teaching approach (American students will feel at ease in English-only classes, and a large English-speaking environment).

Bocconi is strategically located in the historical center of Milan, close to international key financial, scientific innovation, fashion and industry operators, and is able to systematically secure guest lectures by top IP professionals in industry, business and government from Italy as well as from the whole continent (EPO counts 34 European States), and field trips to companies and institutions. The EPO program faculty members were specifically selected both because they are recognized leaders in their field and because they have reputations for being great classroom teachers.

Q2: Is it convenient and pleasant for work and leisure purposes to attend a summer school in Milan?
Studying at Bocconi and living in Milan is an unforgettable life experience. The city counts 3 major Universities (Bocconi being the most exclusive one) and among its 3 million residents, hundreds of thousands are students: entertainment possibilities are numerous (thousands of restaurants, street cafes, bars, and ice cream parlors, many of which on the Bocconi campus or within short walking distance) and street life is bustling day and night, yet presents a relaxed environment.

Founded more than 2000 years ago, Milan is a beautiful and handsome Italian city and hosts numerous historic monuments, museums, opera and concert halls and as well as unlimited daily (7 days a week) cultural events for all tastes. The city counts some 50 theatres and many more movies theatres. In addition, people come to Milan from all continents for its high-end and famous fashion shows and stores. And the city hosts the highest density of Italian large company headquarters, as well as Italian headquarters for most multinational companies, in particular as the Italian Stock Exchange is in Milan, close to Bocconi.

Detailed city info is available in English on many Official Sites -
http://www.milanoinfotourist.com/home.htm ,
http://www.turismo.comune.milano.it/pls/milano/!turismo?lang=2,
http://ciaomilano.it/e/index.asp

Q3: Is Milan a good travel base?
Milan is located in a scenic part of Europe, in the north of Italy, 30 miles from the Swiss Alps, 20 miles from the Italian lakes and 90 minutes drive (or train) from the warm Mediterranean shores of the Italian Riviera. With three airports, including an intercontinental hub (and many nonstop flights to the US) and one of the best European low-cost hubs (including www.easyjet.com, www.ryanair.com), excellent, hourly and cheap rail connections (www.trenitaila.com. e.g. Italian Riviera: 1,5 hours; Venice: 2,5 hours, Florence: 2,5 hours, Rome: 4 hours, Geneva: 3,5 hours) it offers unlimited day trip or weekends excursions, and constitutes an excellent European base for further travelling. Due to the moderate costs for domestic train travel, students could consider not buying any Eurail pass. The Students E’Helpdesk available as of May 2007 could advise students.

Q4: In addition to the tuition and lodging costs to be paid to the EPO program, what additional expenses am I likely to incur?
The Euro 2400 (approximately $3,160) fee (for the full three weeks) covers tuition, the cost of the official fieldtrips, the teaching material, and a few organized social events.  It also includes the lodging fee and breakfasts and one meal (lunch or dinner) for 22 consecutive days.

Costs not covered include travel to from the USA to Milan and an additional meal, plus, of course, any travel or fees associated with additional social activity.

Q5: What are the health standards of Milan? How safe is Milan?
Out of some 200 countries, Italy is only second in UN World Health Organization (WHO) rankings for Health standards and the country enjoys one of the longest life expectancy in the world. Healthcare is high quality.

All Milan districts are safe for walking and commuting 24 hours a day (some 90 bus, cable car and subway lines are operating with frequent service from early morning till late at night).

Q6: How will my roommate be picked?
Students will be housed in shared double rooms at a well-located and well-equipped air-conditioned hotel. In March, we'll send you a list of the students who have registered for the program and ask you to identify a preferred roommate.

Q7: Can I stay in a single room if I don't want to share a double and am willing to pay extra? Can I stay at a different hotel if I want to?
The special rate we negotiated per night is for a double room. The fee that you are required to pay is calculated based on one half of a double room. To get that rate, we had to contract for fifty rooms; thus, except under special circumstances, all of the students enrolled in the program are required to stay at the booked hotel. If you have a special reason for not wanting to be assigned a roommate (e.g., you want to bring your spouse, partner, and/or kids, who are not enrolled in the EPO program), arrangements can be made on a case-by-case basis for you to get a room to yourself at the hotel provided you pay the full charge for the room. In the alternative, permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis for you to make your own lodging arrangements somewhere else 

Q8: When should I book my airline tickets to Italy?
Italy is a major summer holiday destination. We therefore recommend once you receive notification of acceptance into the EPO program that you book your airline tickets as early as possible to take advantage of lowest available fares.

TO APPLY TO THE PROGRAM, or for more information, contact:
Professor Craig A. Nard at 216-368-6348 or craig.nard@case.edu