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Milan - Italy Today
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components.
You take 15–19 credits per semester.
- 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)
- English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad elective courses (optional, 3 credits each, see page 6)
- Internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
- Community-based learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
Please note that some courses have prerequisites.
Courses
This is a full list of courses offered in Milan. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings for your term in your MyIESabroad account. The final course list for each term will depend on faculty availability, students interested in each course, and discipline diversity.
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.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 325 - The State of the Art: Contemporary Italian Artists from 1945 to Present | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| AH 340 - Cracking the Code: Leonardo da Vinci and Renaissance Art in Milan | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM/AR 260 - Strategies for Digital Engagement: Italian Case Studies in the Arts | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CM 215 - Visual Storytelling from Youtube to Film Festivals | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| CM 325 - TV, Communication and Media in Milan | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| CM/AR 260 - Strategies for Digital Engagement: Italian Case Studies in the Arts | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB/CM 340 - Digital Marketing, E-Commerce and Communication | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS/IB 385 - Introduction to Business Programming | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/IT 370 - Italian Conversation: Culture and Cuisine of Italy | Fall, Spring | Italian | 3 |
| CU/LT 328 - Investigating the Mafia in Literature, Cinema and Media | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| CU/LT 340 - Tourists, Soldiers, Expats, Spies: Travelling Italy in the 20th Century | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DS 223 - Italian Design: Theory and Practice | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| DS 300 - Visual Merchandising | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/EC 340 - The Political Economy of European Integration | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES/SO 330 - Social Innovation: Strategies of Social and Environmental Sustainabilty | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ET/IB 361 - Business Modelling and Planning | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI 356 - International Financial Markets and Investments | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FI 373 - Venture Capital and Enterpreneurial Finance | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FI 380 - Banking and Financial Intermediation | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 330 - The Golden Age of Italian Cinema: in Between Authors and Genres | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| FS 340 - The Cinema in Milan: An Overview from Post-WWII Until Today | Fall, Spring | Italian | 3 |
| GS/FS 325 - Gender in Italian Cinema from Fascism to the Third Millennium | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS/FS 325 - Gender in Italian Cinema from Fascism to the Third Millennium | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 311 - Great Age of Italian Cities | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| HS 330 - Never Give In! Fascism, Anti-Semitism and Resistance in Italy, 1922-1948 | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS/IB 385 - Introduction to Business Programming | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| ET/IB 361 - Business Modelling and Planning | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 326 - Principles of Marketing Management | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 343 - Business Ethics in an Intercultural Framework | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 350 - Brand Management | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 355 - Managing Fashion and Luxury Companies | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 375 - Strategic Management | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB 380 - Managing "Made in Italy" Companies | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB/CM 340 - Digital Marketing, E-Commerce and Communication | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IB/ST 350 - Econometrics for Business | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/EC 340 - The Political Economy of European Integration | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/IT 370 - Italian Conversation: Culture and Cuisine of Italy | Fall, Spring | Italian | 3 |
| IT 101 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 6 |
| IT 102 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Italian | 6 |
| IT 301 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 6 |
| IT 302 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Italian | 6 |
| IT 351 - Italian Language in Context: Independent Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Italian | 6 |
| IT 403 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU/LT 328 - Investigating the Mafia in Literature, Cinema and Media | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| CU/LT 340 - Tourists, Soldiers, Expats, Spies: Travelling Italy in the 20th Century | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| LT 311B - Literature and the City | Fall, Spring | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS 281 - Music Theory | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MS 350 - History of Italian Opera | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MS 360 - Staging Italian Opera | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MS 375 - Music Performance Workshop | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MS 385 - Giuseppe Verdi: Melodrama and Italian Identity | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MS 391 - Individual Performance Studies - Instrumental | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 300 - Photography: a Critical Introduction | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/SO 342 - The European Union: Between Nationalism and Integration | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS 340 - Italian and American Approaches to Mental Health: Comparative Study of Bio-Psycho-Social Model | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PS 360 - Transcultural Psychology: Clinical and Diagnostic Challenges in the Assessment and Treatment of Culturally Diverse Patients | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL 395 - Service Learning | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES/SO 330 - Social Innovation: Strategies of Social and Environmental Sustainabilty | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| PO/SO 342 - The European Union: Between Nationalism and Integration | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB/ST 350 - Econometrics for Business | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| VO 391 - Individual Performance Studies - Vocal | English | 3 | |
| VO 391 - Individual Performance Studies - Vocal | English | 1 |
Partner Institution(s)
Enrolling in a partner university course is a great way to meet Italians and experience the Italian education system firsthand. As a study abroad student in Milan, two partner university courses are included in the program cost, provided that you meet the institution’s requirements. Any additional enrollments will carry an extra cost.
Most partner university courses are worth 3 credits. Specific course listings and descriptions are not available on the universities’ websites until shortly before the beginning of the term and may be updated frequently. The IES Abroad staff will assist you with this process.
Choose from the following partner institutions in Milan:
ARSUTORIA
Fashion & Design
For students interested in pursuing hands-on experience in Fashion and Design, a limited number of courses are available at Arsutoria. 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.
ISTITUTO DI MODA BURGO
Fashion & Design
Students interested in pursuing hands-on design experience in Fashion may enroll in a limited number of courses at the Istituto di Moda Burgo, a local and well-known school of fashion. Courses are taught in both Italian and English on a semester or academic year basis. You may select from courses in Fashion Design or Pattern Making.
ISTITUTO EUROPEO DI DESIGN (IED)
Fashion & Design
Students interested in Fashion and Design can opt to take courses at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED). Founded in 1966, IED has been operating for more than 50 years in the fields of Design, Fashion, and Visual Communication. Available courses that have been customized for IES students include Textiles and Trends and History of Fashion.
LIBERA UNIVERSITÀ DI LINGUE E COMUNICAZIONE (IULM)
Media & Communication
The International University of Languages and Media (IULM) is the center of excellence in Italy for training in Communication and New Media, Language, Tourism and the Promotion of Cultural Heritage. Courses are taught in English.
MILANO FASHION INSTITUTE (MFI) (spring only)
Fashion & Brand Design
For students interested in pursuing options in Fashion and Design, a number of English-taught courses are available at the Milano Fashion Institute (MFI). Established in 2007, MFI is a specialized interuniversity graduate school, coordinated by POLIMI (Politecnico di Milano, one of the top-rated Engineering, Design, and Architecture schools in the world) in partnership with Milan’s Università Cattolica and Università Bocconi.
UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE (CATTOLICA)
Liberal Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Founded in 1921, the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is located in the old city center in the former ancient monastery of Saint Ambrose. It is also one of the largest private universities in Europe. Courses are offered in Italian or English.
UNIVERSITÀ COMMERCIALE LUIGI BOCCONI
Business, Economics, & Management
Voted “number one worldwide in the specific category of value for money” by Forbes, Università Bocconi is one of the most prestigious European schools of Business, Economics, and Finance. The Università Bocconi also has AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. Università Bocconi offers a wide range of English- and Italian-taught business courses, which are taught on a semester basis.
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO – BICOCCA
Natural Sciences, Physics, & Math
Located in the northern part of the city, the Bicocca University is a state university that was officially created in 1998 as a science-oriented branch of the Università degli Studi di Milano. Courses in Italian and English are available to students with a major or minor in Natural Sciences, Physics, Neuroscience, Marine Studies, or Math. Furthermore, eligible students can take part in science lab research teams (together with Italian graduate students), supervised by a graduate Italian researcher.
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 contributing 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 migrants to developing job-training programs.
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 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal placement that satisfies your interests and goals. We’ve placed student with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently offer placements in your field of interest, we will look for one that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always looking for new internship opportunities for our students.
- Advertising
- Art Gallery
- Business
- Education
- Fashion*
- Finance*
- Marketing
- Media/Publishing
- Psychological Rehabilitation
- Theater
*Some placement fields require a knowledge of the Italian language
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Milan, our field trips take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations.
Sicily
3 Days | Fall
Experience the cradle of Western Civilization, the home of Magna Grecia, a unique place full of art, archaeology, myth, history, folklore, and breathtaking scenery. Visit baroque Catania; Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano; and the magical mountaintop town of Taormina.
Tuscany
3 Days | Fall
Tour the Tuscan countryside and visit the medieval towns of Siena, Pisa, and San Gimignano. Defy gravity and climb the leaning tower of Pisa, then savor unique wine and cheese while admiring the Tuscan countryside
Alps Ski Trip
3 Days | Spring
A charming town in the Alps is your destination for skiing in Europe’s highest mountain range.
Culture & Cuisine of Northern Italy
3 Days | Spring
Dive into the music, culture, and cuisine of Northern Italy with guided tours of the city of Cremona and its violin makers, Parma and its Parmesan cheese factory, Modena and its original balsamic vinegar, and don’t miss out on the tour of the vineyards..
Secrets of Hidden Lombardy
1 Day | Spring
Explore the Romanesque and Gothic heritage of Lombardy by visiting abbeys and castles located in the Lombardy region
Verona & Venice
3 Days | Spring
Explore some of the most fascinating (and romantic!) sites of Italian cultural heritage, through the cities that inspired Shakespeare and hundreds of artists, writers, and movies.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
We organize course-related trips that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a better understanding of the Italian culture and society. Possible course-related trips may include:
- Visit to Sala delle Asse, a room at the Castello Sforzesco with recently discovered frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci.
- Visit to Fossoli concentration camp with a History course.
- Tour of the Museo del Novecento with an Art History course.
- Visit a collaborative housing and agriturismo in the city to learn about sustainability and preservation.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Milan is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that prepares you, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
The program begins with a short orientation to help you become familiar with the IES Abroad Milan staff, your fellow students, and the city of Milan.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
After orientation, you participate in a two-week intensive language program designed to help you gain practical language skills and acclimate to the local environment. IES Abroad schedules several trips and tours to introduce you to the history, culture, and surroundings of Milan.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Milan, it will feel like home.
Homestays – Placements are available in Milanese homes. This is a priceless opportunity to learn about Italian families firsthand and engage directly with Italian culture. You have a private or shared bedroom at your homestay, where you receive breakfast and dinner daily, and you can eat your other meals at the university cafeterias, restaurants, or bars. Commuting time from a typical homestay to the IES Abroad Milan Center can range from 10 to 40 minutes.
Apartments – Share a furnished apartment located in a safe and lively district with three to six IES Abroad students. 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. The Italian CAs also spend time answering questions and working at the IES Abroad Center. 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. 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.
Collegio di Milano - Residence Hall – This residence for Italian and international honors students offers single rooms with private bathrooms and balconies. The facilities include a computer room, library, small gym, private park, security system, kitchenette, laundry facilities, a music practice room, a studio room for art projects, student lounges, and an auditorium for special cultural programs. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily and lunch is available on weekends. Space is limited, and students are chosen by the Collegio based on academic merit. Because of the extra amenities, this option carries an additional cost.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Milan through cultural events, such as:
- Participating in language exchange with native Italian speakers
- Attending performances at Teatro Alla Scala Opera House
- Going to soccer games
- Visiting museums, sporting events, and local fairs sponsored by Italian peers
- Taking cooking lessons
Get to Know Your New City
Climb the Duomo
After you’ve explored this spectacular Gothic cathedral, make your way to the top of the Dome for the best views of the city.
Meet People & Get Involved
Make friends with Community Assistants, local university students who help you get to know Milan.
Enjoy the Milanese Aperitivo
Happy hour in Milan means, when you buy a drink, you get dinner for free!
Cheer On A.C. Milan
Catch a professional football match at San Siro stadium.
Travel!
Embrace Milan’s central location with weekend trips to nearby destinations.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
Adelyn Dougherty Leander Need-Based Urban Issues Scholarship
Open to students who have an interest in urban studies (a major in urban studies is not required).
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Milan, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Milan Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Milan experience.
The IES Abroad Milan Center is located in the city’s bustling historic center, within walking distance of the Duomo, DaVinci's "Last Supper" and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center's multi-media classrooms
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Study in the library, reading rooms, or computer lab
- Take your classes to the next level with music practice rooms, a digital photo facility, and a video editing lab
- Meet up with friends or hang out between class in the student lounge
Other features include: WiFi, printing facilities, and gender-neutral bathrooms.
Our Staff
Roberto Andreoni, Ph.D.
Center Director
For more than 20 years, Roberto Andreoni has been the Director of the Milan program. Dr. Andreoni holds a doctorate in Music from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his undergraduate degrees at the Conservatorio G. Verdi in Milan and the Civica Scuola di Musica. He has previously served as the director of the Civica Scuola di Musica in Assago and Milan. Dr. Andreoni is an internationally recognized composer whose works are regularly commissioned, performed, published, and recorded. Dr. Andreoni also serves as the Music Coordinator for IES Abroad Milan and is a professor of Composition at the Conservatorio di Musica G. Rossini in Pesaro. During Fall 2010, he was the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence for Music and Italian Studies at Scripps College.
IES Abroad Milan Staff
Irene Baldoni
Assistant Director
Amanda Swain
Coordinator of Academic Affairs
Giulia Cossu Rocca
Customized Program Specialist
Laura Carrera
Internship Coordinator
Luca Blumer
Student Affairs Coordinator
Giulia Glouchtchenko
Student Affairs Assistant
Manuela Nigrelli
Housing Coordinator
Teresa Keller
Housing Assistant
Anna Salandini
Accounting and Fiscal Administrator
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 what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this spring—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" 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.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
AT A GLANCE
Latest from Milan
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
