You are here
Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental
$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.
While in Milan, you are placed in classes and ensembles to enhance not just what you learn, but how you learn it, and provide you with new perspectives each day in class. Milan features many highly-qualified local instructors for both voice and instrumental performance, composition and theory, to enrich your learning experience.
Also, you may use concert venues for recitals, and attend concerts and rehearsals of professional performance organizations such as La Scala, Milano Classica, La Verdi Symphonic Choir & Orchestra, and Italian musical productions. In addition, we help you with instrument rentals and studio time arrangements—all rental costs will be covered by IES Abroad.
You must take 15–19 credits per semester, and most courses are worth 3 credits. Language courses are taught in Italian, and all other courses are taught in English or Italian.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
- English-taught IES Abroad music courses (required, 3 credits)
- IES Abroad Italian language course (required, 4 or 6 credits)
- Private instruction in English or Italian (credits vary)
- English- or Italian-taught electives at a local music institutions (optional, credits vary)
- Internship and Seminar (optional, 3 credits)
- String Orchestra Assistantship (optional, 3 credits, spring only)
- IES Abroad Italy Today or Business Studies Programs elective courses (optional, 3 credits each)
The cost of all music-related lessons and partner institution courses in included in the program fee. Please notes that some courses have prerequisites.
In recent years, our music students have worked with more than 60 top Milanese faculty and ensembles. This program offers a full range of high-level music options including:
Vocal Performance
- Acting for Singers (Arte Scenica)
- Choir options in Gregorian, A Cappella, Chamber, Gospel or Symphonic Choir
- Diction
- Individual instruction with qualified local instructors
- Vocal Coaching
- Staging Opera
Instrumental Performance: (All Instruments)
- Individual Instruction in Classical/Jazz with qualified local instructors
- Individual Tutoring in Advanced Musicianship & ear training
- Music Performance Workshop
- Student orchestra at the Civica Scuola di Musica
- Orchestra Assistantship and Introduction to Baroque performance practice with the professional Milano Classica Chamber Orchestra (strings only)
Music Theory and Composition
- All levels of theory courses (in Italian) and/or tailor-made projects on theory studies (in English)
- Composition seminar and/or individual composition lessons
- Contemporary Composition in Italian Music and Literature
Music History
- History of European Vocal Music
- History of Italian Opera
Courses
Private Instrument and Voice Instruction
Past students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
- Bassoon - Valentino Zucchiatti, Professor, Accademia de La Scala
- Cello - Silvio Righini, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Clarinet - Maurizio Longoni, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Luigi Magistrelli, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan; Fabrizio Meloni, First Clarinet, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra
- Double Bass - Lutz Schumacher, La Scala and Lugano Radio Orchestras, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Paolo Rizzi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Flute - Paola Fre, Professor, Istituto Musicale “Vittadini”, Pavia
- French Horn - Hermes Pecchinini, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica, Conservatorio “V. Bellini”, Palermo
- Guitar - Simone Fontanelli, Professor, University of Mozarteum, Salzburg (Classical); Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan (Classical); Riccardo Bianchi, Professor, Civici Corsi di Jazz (Jazz); Walter Muto, Student Services, IES Abroad Milano (Folk)
- Harp - Mara Galassi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica (Baroque); Luisa Prandina, First Harp, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra (Modern)
- Oboe - Guido Toschi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Percussion - Andrea Dulbecco, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan
- Piano - Mariagrazia Bellocchio, Professor, Istituto Superiore “G. Donizetti”, Bergamo; Silva Costanzo, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Angela Lazzaroni, Co-Director, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan; Victoria Terekiev, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Lorenzo De Finti, Professor, Scuola Svizzera, Milan; Editor, Radio Svizzera Italiana (Jazz)
- Saxophone - Ausonio Calò, Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari; Mario Marzi, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Milan; Giulio Visibelli, Professor, Civici Corsi di Jazz (Jazz)
- Trombone - Fulvio Clementi, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Como
- Trumpet - Gabriele Cassone, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Cantelli”, Novara; Andrea Giuffredi, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Francesco Tamiati, First Trumpet, La Scala Philarmonic Orchestra
- Tuba - Fulvio Clementi, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Como
- Viola - Mauro Righini, Professor, Conservatorio “G. Verdi”, Turin
- Violin - Carlo Lazzaroni, First Part, “Il Giardino Armonico” Consory, Founder, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan; Carlo Feige, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Francesco Parrino, Soloist and Private Instructor
- Vocal Coaching - Maurizio Carnelli, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Giovanni Fornasieri, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musical; Angela Lazzaroni, Co-Director, Accademia Ambrosiana, Milan
- Voice - Patrizia Zanardi, Professor, Conservatorio "G. Frescobaldi" Ferrara; Vincenzo Manno, La Scala Chorus, Milan; Janet Perry, Professor, Bern University of the Arts, Switzerland
- Acting for Singers - Antonello Madau-Diaz, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
Composition, Music Theory and Technology
Past students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
- Composition: Roberto Andreoni, Director, IES Abroad Milano; Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari; Filippo Del Corno, President, Fondazione Milan; Professor, Conservatorio, “G. Tartini”, Trieste; Simone Fontanelli, Professor, University of Mozarteum, Salzburg; Luca Francesconi, Professor, Musikhögskolan, Malmö, Sweden; Carlo Pessina, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Giovanni Verrando, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica, Conservatory of Lugano; Michele Tadini, Professor, Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, Lyon
- Music Theory: Roberto Andreoni, Director, IES Abroad Milano; Professor, Conservatorio “N. Piccinni”, Bari; Andrea Melis, Professor and Director, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica; Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Conducting: Renato Rivolta, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Computer Music, Music Technology: Michele Tadini, Professor, Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique, Lyon; AGON Ard Magnetica (Massimo Marchi, dir.); Kernel Studios (Massimo Avantaggiato, dir.)
- Ear Training: Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
- Musicianship: Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan; Yoichi Sugiyama, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica
Music History
Past students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
- Diego Fratelli, Professor, Milano Civica Scuola di Musica (Middle Ages, Renaissance)
- Gianluca Capuano, Conductor and Researcher (Renaissance, Baroque)
- Marco Pisoni, Professor and Director, Accademica Musicale di Brera, Milan (General)
- Francesco Maria Colombo, Conductor (Opera, 18th and 19th centuries)
- Enrico Girardi, Professor, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan (Opera, 20th century)
Ensembles and Choirs
Past students have studied with the following faculty/ensembles
- A Cappella Choir Coro CLU (Pippo Molino, cond.)
- Baroque String Consort Orchestra Milano Classica (Gianluca Capuano, cond.)
- Ensemble Workshop Simone Fontanelli
- Gospel Choir Civici Corsi di Jazz (Giorgio Ubaldi, cond.)
- Jazz Band, Jazz Theory Fabio Jegher
- Strings Assistantship Orchestra Milano Classica
- Symphonic Choir I Civici Cori (Mario Valsecchi, cond.), Nuova Polifonica Ambrosiana (Fabio Locatelli, cond.)
- Symphony Orchestra La Verdi per Tutti (Jader Bignamini, cond.)
- Wind Ensemble Silvano Scanziani
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.
| 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)
Based on level and language ability, IES Abroad places each student with some of the best teachers in the country for both individual instruction and ensemble work. Most of these teachers currently work for prestigious institutions like the orchestra of La Scala, top Italian conservatories and universities, as well as private academies.
For Music: Tradition and Innovation students, IES Abroad will cover the cost of all music-related courses at partner institutions in the total program cost. Any additional non-music courses taken at partner institutions will come at an additional cost to the student.
Our Milan Music Program allows you to take courses at the best music institutions in Milan. The institutions that most frequently welcome U.S. semester and full-year students are:
- Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado
- Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi
- La Verdi Symphonic Orchestra and Choir
- Milano Classica Chamber Orchestra: String Orchestra Assistantship (Spring only)
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Civica Scuola di Musica Claudio Abbado
https://fondazionemilano.eu/fondazione-milano
The largest private music school in Italy, the Scuola Civica di Musica includes schools of:
- Jazz
- Choral
- Classical
- Contemporary
- Early music
Our Music Coordinator may arrange for you to take instrumental technique and performance classes here, as well as English-taught composition, theory, or history course.
Based on the number of contact hours, you earn 2-3 credits per course for instruction, private lessons, and ensemble work. Either audio or video files/web links are required with the application. Private non-performance music classes may be arranged in Italian or English.
Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi
Founded in 1807, the Conservatorio G. Verdi is the largest music school in Italy, enrolling 2,000 students each year. Some of Italy’s most famous musicians have graduated from or taught at the Conservatorio. Individual instruction may be arranged with faculty from the Conservatorio, based on your skill level.
Based on the number of contact hours, you earn 2-3 credits per course for instruction, private lessons, and ensemble work. Either audio or video files/web links are required with the music application.
La Verdi Symphonic Orchestra and Choir
The Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of La Verdi was founded in the autumn of 1998 under the musical direction of Romano Gandolfi, and is made up of 100 members who perform a wide range of musical repertoire, ranging from symphonic to chamber and polyphonic works, from Baroque to Twentieth century modern music. The Choir typically sings with the Symphonic Orchestra of Milano Giuseppe Verdi, but also collaborates with various national and international symphonic groups. La Verdi provides an opportunity for you to work shoulder to shoulder with professional performers and participate in rehearsals and concerts that fit with your voice or instrument.
An audition by either an audio or video file or web link is required, along with the music application. After the Music Coordinator has received your audition material, they will arrange for an in-person live audition with the conductor which will take place when you arrive in Milan.
Milano Classica Chamber Orchestra: String Orchestra Assistantship (Spring only)
The string orchestra assistantship is designed to offer undergraduate string performers the opportunity to enhance their orchestral practice of both early Baroque and Classical repertoire, including relevant chamber music literature when applicable. Music students also increase their performance skills and are introduced to performance practice with original instruments. Milano Classica, a renowned chamber orchestra that has been active on the professional Milanese scene since 1992, welcomes U.S. college students to participate in their concert season at the beautiful Palazzina Liberty Hall.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
www.unicattolica.it
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. It is also a short walk from Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church where Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” is located. The surrounding neighborhood of winding, narrow streets blends with the Renaissance architecture of the Cattolica and its charming courtyards. The Cattolica campus is a short 5-minute walk from the IES Abroad Milan Center. There are a few Italian-taught music history courses available to students with the appropriate language background.
Service Learning
Participating in a service 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 service learning placement consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit service 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 service learning opportunities from working to grant asylum to migrants to developing job-training programs.
Internships
Interning while in Milan gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your resume or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
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.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. We've placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we will search for a placement that's right for you.
Placement Fields
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Music Education
- Music Management & Marketing
- Music Production/Studio
- Music Therapy
Field Trips & Events
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. 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, archeology, myth, history, folklore, and breathtaking scenery. Visit baroque Catania; Europe’s highest active volcano, Etna; and the magical mountaintop town of Taormina.
Tuscany
3 Days | Fall
Tour the Tuscany countryside and visit the medieval towns of Pisa, Siena, and Montalcino. Hear the Gregorian chant of the monks of Sant’Antimo Abbey and 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 Cremona and its violin makers, Parma and its parmesan cheese factory, and a family run agriturismo for dinner.
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.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Milan organizes course-related trips that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Italian culture and society. Possible course-related trips may include:
- Attending concerts and rehearsals of professional performance organizations, such as La Scala, La Verdi, and Milano Classica.
- A lecture by Daniel Barenboim on “Die Walküre”
- Lectures and performances on topics such as folk music, composition awards, and installations
- Attending Mito Festival
- Visiting La Verdi
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. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during orientation.
After orientation, you participate in a three-week intensive language program designed to help you gain practical language skills and to acclimate you to the local environment. IES Abroad schedules several excursions and tours to introduce you to the history, culture, and districts of Milan.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
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 throughout the city. This is a priceless opportunity to learn about Italian families first-hand and engage directly with Italian culture.
You have a private or shared room at your homestay and receive breakfast and dinner daily. Enjoy your other meals at university cafeterias, bars, or restaurants. Commuting time from a typical homestay to the IES Abroad Milan Center can range from five 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 fee.
Some apartments are also shared with 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 at the IES Abroad Center answering questions and working for the program. If improving your Italian is your priority, you may request to live in an Italian-language only apartment.
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 near the Center, apartments offer 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, cafeteria, private park, security system, kitchenette, 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 fee.
Peek inside Collegio living in this student-created video tour.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Milan through cultural events, such as:
- Attending music performances at the Teatro Alla Scalla Opera House
- Enjoying music sessions with your fellow classmates
- Going to soccer games
- Visiting museums, sporting events, and local fairs sponsored by Italian peers
- Participating in a language exchange with native Italian speakers
- 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
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
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.
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!
Summer 2020 & Fall 2020 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your money will be fully refunded.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
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.
