Milan, Italy

Fashion Design & Merchandising

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Experiential Learning, Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Homestay, Residence Hall

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, Italian

Language Prerequisites:

None

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Our Fashion Design & Merchandising Program offers a holistic fashion experience. Encounter the sources of global trends in business, design, tailoring, fabrics and materials, modeling, and marketing. Learn about the business of fashion from local experts and professors from the best universities in Milan. Join the Milanese design and tailoring scene through practicum courses at professional fashion institutes offering hands-on lessons in clothing and accessory creation.

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Study at a Partner University

Take courses at one of our many partner universities.

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Gain Hands-On Experience

Enroll in a fashion-related internship and seminar.

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Follow Your Academic Interests

Diversify your fashion studies with an elective course.

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Live with Local Students or Families

Live in a homestay, residence hall, or apartment.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

September 02 - December 19

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
21,275

Program Dates:

Mid January - Mid May

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Kaylee Brezinski & Rachael Grochowski

Once you’ve applied for a program, one of us will be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, we're here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why Milan?

Fashion is in the air in Milan. As one of the “big four” fashion capitals (along with London, New York, and Paris), Milan is home to many high-end fashion houses such as Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, and many others; and nearly all of the “big names” are represented. Prepare to be inspired by the Milanese standards of elegance and obsession with style—from the runway to the street.

Learn More About Milan

Get to Know Your New City

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Climb the Duomo

Make your way to the top for the best views of the city.

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Meet People & Get Involved

Make friends with Community Assistants.

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Enjoy the Milanese Aperitivo

Happy hour in Milan means, when you buy a drink, you get dinner for free!

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Root for Local Teams

Cheer on A.C. Milan and Inter Milan!

The Student Experience

My friends and I taking a selfie in Dublin
Jules Katz,

Bittersweet Goodbye

My thoughts and feelings throughout my final days in Milan and my first few days back in the United States.

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Housing

  • Apartment
  • Homestay
  • Residence Hall

Apartment

Share a furnished apartment located in a safe and lively district with three to six IES Abroad students. Located on main public transportation routes, apartments are within a 40-minute commute to the Center, and each apartment offers fully equipped kitchens, Internet access, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. These apartments are single-sex, and you generally share a bedroom with another student. Single rooms in an apartment carry an additional cost. Apartment life is often enhanced by a live-in Italian roommate called a Community Assistant (CA). These Assistants can help you improve your Italian language skills, get to know the city of Milan, and integrate more fully into the local culture. Meals are not included, so you normally eat lunch at a local café or a university cafeteria, and prepare your own breakfast and dinner at home.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. 

We offer unique courses in Fashion, Italian language, and culture, along with a wide array of electives taught by our world-class professors. Course options at prestigious local universities enhance not just what you learn, but how you learn it, and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

Partner Institutions

Students create clothing in a classroom with papers and mannequins spread around the room.
  • Arsutoria
  • IED
  • MFI

Arsutoria School

Fashion & Design

For students seeking experience in the initial design stages and in the workroom, a limited number of courses are available at Arsutoria including Footwear Design and Handbag Design. Arsutoria is a well-known leather making school that is located in central Milan, just 15 minutes by public transit or 30 minutes by foot from the IES Abroad Center.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15-19 credits per semester. Language courses are taught in Italian, and all other courses are taught in English or Italian. 

  • IES Abroad Italian language course at your proficiency level (required, 4 or 6 credits) 
  • English-taught IES Abroad area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • Fashion-related courses (in English or Italian) at local universities (optional, credits vary) 
  • English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad elective courses (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • Internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 
  • Community-based learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the  IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (29)

Art (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
CM/AR 260 - Strategies for Digital Engagement: Italian Case Studies in the Arts Fall, Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Enrolling in a partner institution course is a great way to meet Italians and experience the Italian education system first-hand. As a student in the Fashion Design & Merchandising program, two partner institution courses are included in the program cost, provided that you meet the institution's requirements. Any additional enrollments will carry an additional fee. 

Most partner institution courses are worth 3 credits. Specific course listings and descriptions are not available on the institutions' websites until shortly before the beginning of the term and may be updated frequently. The IES Abroad staff will assist you with the partner institution enrollment process.  

PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Milan, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Students eat pizza in Italy

Luxury Cars & Food of Italy

1 Day Fall & Spring

Learn what's behind these two cornerstones of the Italian economy. How did Enzo Ferrari build such iconic sports cars and balsamic vinegar become a World-renowned delicacy? You'll find out from the source!

View from the window of the Museo Nzionale della Montagne

Turin

1 Day Fall & Spring

Experience the city of cinema, royal palaces, and chocolate. Once the capital of Italy, Turin is a refined, elegant metropolitan city of great historical interest, with a touch of contemporary, cosmopolitan buzz. Explore its baroque architecture and some of...

A student stands in front of Lake Maggiore

Lake Maggiore

1 Day Fall & Summer

Visit the charming city of Stresa on Lago Maggiore. Get the full scenic tour on a private boat that will take you to see the three marvelous Borromean Islands, along with their museums and botanical gardens, situated in the heart of the lake.

Cinque Terre cliffside in Italy

Cinque Terre

1 Day Fall & Summer

Get inspired while hiking the trails of this UNESCO World-Heritage site and visiting its picturesque towns overlooking the Mediterranean sea. If that wasn't enough, you'll also get to enjoy a boat tour to see the colorful villages from the sea.

A group of diverse students smiling at the camera atop a balcony in Verona.

Verona

1 Day Fall & Spring

Take a trip to the Veneto region to see the famous location of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, also known as the "City of Love."

Part-Time Internships

Did you know that, while in Milan, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support. 
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process. 
  • Experience what working in Milan is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness. 
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a mandatory 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country. 

Placement Examples

a business student walking in Milan

Business

dresses on mannequins at the school of fashion in Rome

Fashion

students checking their phone in front of the European Council

Law

Experiential Learning

Community-Based Learning

Participating in a community-based learning experience in Milan is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and society. Working alongside local people toward a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect Milan, while applying your skills toward a community-driven solution. 

A community-based learning placement consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit community-based learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection, discussion, and research on the issues of your host community. 

IES Abroad Milan partners with the local city government’s immigration department to provide a range of community-based learning opportunities from working to grant asylum to immigrants to developing job-training programs. Additional partners include:   a community soup kitchen, food bank and tutoring services for children in need. 

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
16,770
Housing
$
4,275
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
21,275

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
16,755
Housing
$
4,275
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
21,275

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
30,140
Housing
$
8,550
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
39,180

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

Our long-standing presence in Milan got an upgrade in 2024: welcome to the brand new IES Abroad Milan Center. It has architectural history, over a dozen classrooms, a 280-seat auditorium, onsite gym, plenty of study spaces, and more. This cutting edge center will be your study abroad hub. 

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Milan
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Milan. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
After orientation, you participate in an intensive language program designed to help you gain practical language skills and acclimate to the city.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore and discover Milan before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 22 - May 16

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

September 02 - December 19

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

Mid January - Mid May

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins - some local university courses may not be available to sophomores 
  • No Italian required 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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