My Background

My name is Leonard Khudaverdyan, and I am from Yerevan, Armenia, and I am 21 years old. My educational journey began at Chekhov Middle School and later continued at the British International School of Armenia, where I successfully completed my Pearson International A-Levels. I graduated from high school when I was 16, which was too young for me to move abroad for university. As such, I took a gap year and then moved to Italy to pursue my undergraduate studies. Currently, I live in Switzerland, where I am working toward a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance.

Current Role

Now, in my Master's program, I am honored to serve as the program representative. This position demands responsibility and offers me the opportunity to facilitate communication between the program managers and the students. 

Why I Chose to Study Abroad

To be honest, the universities in Armenia don’t provide the quality of education I was seeking, and I also wanted to experience living independently in a more challenging environment. Thus, pursuing studies abroad—particularly in Italy—seemed like the best decision.

University Choices: Why Bocconi Was My Final Decision

While applying to universities, I considered multiple options. I submitted applications to several U.S. universities—including UCLA, UC Berkeley, NYU, Yale, the University of Michigan, and the University of Minnesota—as well as a select few in Europe, such as Bocconi, KU Leuven, and IE University. Ultimately, I didn’t receive any scholarships from American universities (and you’re aware of their high costs), so Bocconi was the institution where I could secure complete (100%) financial assistance. That’s the reason I ended up choosing Bocconi.

Structuring the Application Process / My Stats

I had to choose between taking the Bocconi exam or the SAT. I completed the SAT (scored 1400 out of 1600) and also took the TOEFL (110 out of 120). I also took three International A-level exams in Business, Economics, and Math during high school (earned an A* in Business, a B in Economics, and a B in Math).

Submitting all materials online was easy; Bocconi’s website clearly outlined the requirements.

A helpful tip

European universities (Bocconi included) pay less attention to extracurricular activities; they prioritize your GPA and SAT scores (or Bocconi’s test). Concentrate on studying diligently if you wish to be accepted into a top European program.

Extracurricular Activities

I helped bed-bound patients start moving again and regain their fitness. I am very active in sports, which has allowed me to share my passion with others and assist them in overcoming the challenging environment they were in.

Financial Assistance at Bocconi

Italian universities frequently provide financial assistance if you meet their merit and income criteria. You need to provide a series of documents regarding your finances (and your family's), have them notarized, translated into Italian, and then certified by a special agency. To retain the scholarship, you must succeed in all your exams and maintain sufficient credits—which basically means no failures. That's pretty much it.

What It's Like to Live and Study in Italy and How I Adjusted

I moved there at 17, so I had to learn all the essential life skills: cooking, cleaning, and managing paperwork. However, I genuinely believe that everyone ought to experience living independently for at least a few years. It forces you to mature, and you discover a lot about yourself.

What Stands Out About Studying at Bocconi

Bocconi is notably demanding in its academic standards—certainly more challenging than several U.S. and European universities with which I am familiar. They emphasize theory and self-directed learning. They also exert considerable pressure on you during tests, which can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. If you can cope with it, it builds a great deal of character and teaches you how to perform under stress. If you can’t, it can be quite tough.

Balancing Life and Academics

My university years were equally dynamic. I immersed myself in three student organizations: the Bocconi Students Fintech Society, the Behavioral Insights Society, and the Geopolitics Society. In all of these organizations, I participated in discussions on related topics, organized events hosting guest speakers, and wrote articles.

An Academic Moment That Impacted My Personality

That would be my math exam for the first semester. It was probably the toughest exam I’ve ever faced. In high school, I studied math, but at Bocconi, they required us to prove all these theories during the exams, which presented an entirely new level of challenge. I was genuinely scared that I might fail—that had never happened to me before, and it remains the lowest grade I’ve ever received.

Tips for Staying Organized and Managing a Busy Schedule

Many individuals believe it’s extremely challenging, but if you have clear priorities and adhere to them, it’s completely achievable. I never studied on Sundays or after 6 or 7 in the evening. By maintaining consistency—such as studying four hours daily—I avoided the need to cram 12 hours in a single day. It essentially revolves around consistency and understanding what matters most.

Time Management Strategies

Establish a specific wake-up and bedtime, avoid over-planning, and don’t obsess over minor details. Simply complete your top-priority tasks first, and everything else will fall into place. It won’t seem overwhelming or too much to handle if you approach it this way.

A University Moment I Will Never Forget

I’ll never forget my 20th birthday—December 15. It was right in the middle of exam season at Bocconi, so I couldn’t plan anything grand. But at midnight, a few close friends surprised me with a cake, and what started as a quiet moment turned into a celebration that lasted into the early hours. Even though I was busy studying, that night reminded me of an important lesson: you don’t have to sacrifice joy for hard work. It’s all about finding balance. I still managed to perform well on my exams, proving that with the right mindset, you can embrace both the challenge of academia and the beauty of moments like these. My life is about finding harmony between challenges.

Making the Most of Student Life: My Advice for Future Applicants

1. Focus on excelling in your GPA and your SAT (or the Bocconi exam). European universities, especially Bocconi, place significant emphasis on these factors, so give them the attention they deserve.

2. Choose your program wisely, as some are more competitive than others, but remember: challenge is an opportunity for growth.

3. Apply to many universities to enhance your chances of acceptance to a good one, and believe in yourself.

   4. If things don’t work out, try again, and with enough grit, you will eventually succeed.

Just don’t give up!

life is as simple as that…