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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.
You will learn from many highly qualified local instructors for both voice and instrumental performance, and composition and theory to enrich your learning experience.
You may also use concert venues for recitals and attend concerts and rehearsals of professional performance organizations, such as La Scala, Milano Classica, La Verdi Symphonic Choir and 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.
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.
- English-taught IES Abroad Music courses at your proficiency level (optional, 3 credits)
- IES Abroad Italian language course (required, 4 or 6 credits)
- Individual music instruction (optional, credits vary)
- English-taught IES Abroad ensemble courses (optional, 3 credits)
- English- or Italian-taught electives or ensembles at local music institutions (optional, credits vary)
- English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad elective courses (optional, 3 credits each, see page 6)
- Community-based learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
- Music-related Internship and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
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 382 - Composition | 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 | 1 | |
| VO 391 - Individual Performance Studies - Vocal | English | 3 |
Partner Institution(s)
Based on level and language ability, IES Abroad places each student with some of the best instructors in the country for both individual instruction and ensemble work. Most of these instructors currently work for prestigious institutions like the orchestra of La Scala, top Italian conservatories and universities, or private academies.
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 C. ABBADO
The largest private music school in Italy, the Civica Scuola includes offerings in the schools of Jazz, Choral, Classical, Contemporary, and Early Music. The Scuola is well regarded for its Early Music and Music Technology programs. Take instrumental technique and performance classes and/or an English-taught Composition, Theory, or History course arranged by our music coordinator.
CONSERVATORIO G. VERDI
Founded in 1807, the Conservatorio G. Verdi is the largest public 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 can be arranged with faculty from the Conservatorio, based on your skill level.
LA VERDI SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA & CHOIR
The Symphonic Orchestra and Choir of La Verdi was founded in the autumn of 1998 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 20th-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 alongside professional performers and participate in rehearsals and concerts that fit with your voice or instrument.
UNIVERSITÀ CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE
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. The Cattolica has some Italian-taught music history courses available to students with the appropriate language background.
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 firsthand 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 communitybased learning opportunities from working to grant asylum to migrants to developing job-training programs. Students also have the opportunity to work with the homeless and atrisk youth through partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
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.
- 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 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
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, and innumerable events of your choice: Early, Baroque, Classical, Opera, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Pop Music.
- A lecture by Daniel Barenboim on “Die Walküre”
- Lectures and performances on topics such as folk music, composition awards, and installations
- Attending Mito Festival
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 for what’s ahead, 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.
Orientation
Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Milan staff, your fellow students, and the city of Milan.
The program begins with a pre-departure virtual tour and continues with on-site info sessions to get you familiar with the IES Abroad Milan staff, your fellow students, and the city of Milan. 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 also schedules several trips and tours to introduce you to the history, culture, and surroundings of Milan.
During this period, your language teacher will help introduce you and your classmates to culture and daily life in 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:
- Attending music performances at the Teatro Alla Scalla Opera House, and many other music festivals, seasons and clubs in town.
- Enjoying music sessions with your fellow classmates
- Going to soccer games
- Visiting museums, cultural 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
Cheer on A.C. Milan and Inter Milan!
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
Featured 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
Amanda Swain
Coordinator of Academic Affairs
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 year—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!
Fall 2021
We all know that Fall 2021 is going to look a bit different from other study abroad terms, but that doesn’t mean it still won’t be the most incredible semester of your life!
We’re working hard to keep you safe and well, so you can focus on what you came to do—live and learn abroad (and have some fun along the way!). Below is a summary of the main tweaks to the program this semester, which may be updated as more details become known. You can learn even more about our measures for all programs on our Fall 2021 Health & Safety page.
From courses taught by world-class IES Abroad faculty at our Center to courses taught at our local partner universities, know that you’ll be learning from the best of the best this fall. On our Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental program, you’ll have the option to take courses taught by world-class IES Abroad faculty at our Center or at one of our partner institutions. You can begin exploring courses available to you this fall using the list below.
Fall 2021 IES Abroad Courses:
Art:
Art History:
Communications:
- CM 215 - Visual Storytelling from Youtube to Film Festivals
- CM/AR 260 - Strategies for Digital Engagement: Italian Case Studies in the Arts
- CM 325 - TV, Communication & Media
- IB/CM 340 - Digital Marketing, E-Commerce and Communication
Cultural Studies:
Design
Economics
- EC/IR340 - The Political Economy of European Integration
- FI 380 - Banking and Financial Intermediation
Environmental Studies:
Film Studies:
Finance
- FI 356 - International Financial Markets and Investments
- FI 373 - Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance
- FI 380 - Banking and Financial Intermediation
History:
International Business:
- IB 326 - Principles of Marketing Management
- IB/CM 340 - Digital Marketing, E-Commerce and Communication
- IB 343 - Business Ethics in an Intercultural Framework
- IB/ST 350 - Econometrics for Business
- IB 355 - Managing Fashion and Luxury Companies
- IB 326 - Principles of Marketing Management
- IB 370 - Brand Management
- IB 375 - Strategic Management
- IB 380 - Managing "Made in Italy" Companies
- IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice
International Relations:
- IR/EC 340 - The Political Economy of European Integration
- IR/IB 393 - Leading Across Cultures: Principles and Practice
Internship Seminar:
Italian:
- IT 101 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad I
- IT 102 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad II
- IT301 Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I,
- IT 351 - Italian Language in Context: Independent Abroad II
- IT403 Italian Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad III
Literature:
- CU/LT 328 - Investigating the Mafia in Literature, Cinema and Media
- CU/LT 340 - Tourists, Soldiers, Expats, Spies: Travelling Italy in the 20th Century
Music:
Photography:
Political Science:
Psychology:
- PS 340 - Italian and American Approaches to Mental Health: Comparative Study of Bio-Psycho-Social Model
- PS 360 - Transcultural Psychology: Clinical and Diagnostic Challenges in the Assessment and Treatment of Culturally Diverse Patients
Sociology:
- ES/SO 330 - Social Innovation: Strategies of Social and Environmental Sustainability
- PO/SO 342 - The European Union: Between Nationalism and Integration
Statistics:
Voice Performance:
You can further explore course options from our partner universities and find IES Abroad course syllabi on the “Academics” tab.
Health & Safety Protocols
We’re making sure that your learning experience is a safe one so you can focus on the topic at hand. So, to enhance effective social/physical distancing, IES Abroad is taking proactive measures in the classroom, including:
- limiting class enrollment sizes limitations
- adjusting space layout and room choice
- and promoting student/faculty use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Access to prompt diagnostic Covid19 testing; Università Cattolica Medical Center, on-demand, English-speaking medical service that delivers a qualified doctor to your home, office or hotel, 24/7
Learn more about our health and safety measures for Fall 2021.
Housing
You’ll stay in a clean, comfortable upscale residence hall, Collegio di Milano, or a centrally-located apartment, where we’ve taken the utmost safety measures, including single occupancy bedrooms. At this time, homestays will not be offered through IES Abroad programs this fall. Learn more about the overarching housing policies for Fall 2021.
Field Trips
Across all IES Abroad programs, field trips will stay local and regional this fall. Your fields trips will all take place in Italy, which means you’ll get fully immersed in the culture(s) you came for! Possible trips include:
Even though your adventure starts in Milan, our one-day 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.
Possible destinations may include:
- Verona | Explore one of the most fascinating and romantic site of Italian cultural heritage, through the city that inspired Shakespeare, Mozart and hundreds of artist, writers, and movies. Get inspired by the majestic Roman Theatre, visit Juliet's famous balcony and get moved by the Arena di Verona's elegance.
- Parma | Small enough to see the main sights on foot, but large enough to have lots of options; home to many interesting attractions but not overwhelming with a sightseeing to-do list; lots of cool shops and boutiques, delightful historical monuments such as the Farnese Theatre and the Duomo, the possibility to harvest grapes and, of couse, great food! Parma is certainly one of the most beautiful and authentic italian cities, but very few seem to know about this!
- Lake Maggiore | Let's leave Milan's high-speed life behind and enjoy a day outdoors on Lake Maggiore, surrounded by the magnificent Alps. Visit the Borromean Islands, situated in the heart of the lake; Isola Bella and it's 18th-century palace with wonderful Italian terraced gardens.
- Isola Madre | Host to the 16th-century Palazzo Borromeo, and stunning botanical gardens populated with peacocks and Chinese pheasants roaming landscaped gardens of rare plants. A refreshing and heart-warming day, just one hour north of Milan!
Internships
Our optional, part-time internships have always been designed to give you experience in what it's really like to work in Milan. For Fall 2021, part-time internships will be offered online. That said, we’re working hard to be able to offer in-person opportunities that align with our health and safety standards. You can count on having a part-time internship this fall—definitely virtually and potentially in-person—to help you gain a professional edge this semester.
Our Center
Our Center in Milan is your go-to spot for classes, student services, and information. Serving as your campus away from campus, you can feel safe going to class or checking in with an IES Abroad staff member because, at a minimum, IES Abroad Centers will undergo daily cleaning and disinfection by professional cleaning services.
Cost
Cost details for Fall 2021 can be found on the Cost tab. Be sure to click through the linked total to view a thorough cost breakdown PDF. Consider those 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.
Go Ahead & Get Started…With a Refund Policy that has your Back
As a mission-driven, not-for-profit, we are guided by two priorities as we navigate Fall 2021: to leave the door open for your opportunity to study abroad, and to strive to keep you safe and healthy. So, what’s our advice? Give yourself the chance to have an incredible adventure—even if it’s a bit different than planned!—and know we’re right alongside you as the details unfold.
And thanks to our Fall 2021 Refund Policy, there’s no commitment just yet. What’s more, once you start an application, you’ll be in the loop and hear directly from us if any changes are made to your program.
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