IES Abroad Milan

As part of the IES Abroad Milan Business program, I was immersed in the Italian culture while receiving an impressive education. I became friends with the locals and had one of my favorite professors throughout my whole college experience at IES. I traveled every weekend while still experiencing everything the beautiful city of Milan has to offer. It truly was the best time of my life. The administration is responsive and accommodating allowing for a supportive experience during a semester-long adventure.

Last semester, I had the incredible privilege of embarking on a transformative journey in Milan with IES Abroad. This experience profoundly broadened my perspective, enabling me to immerse myself in a new culture and forge meaningful connections. Studying in Milan proved to be a pivotal chapter in my life, reshaping my outlook and fostering a deep appreciation for the diverse experiences I've been fortunate to encounter, courtesy of IES. My heartfelt gratitude extends to their program for the invaluable opportunities it has provided.

Residing at the Collegio di Milano offered me the chance to engage with both Italian and international university students, enriching my educational venture. Throughout my time there, I delved into various disciplines such as Art History, Italian history, and Transcultural Psychology, while also delving into the intriguing rehabilitation model at Carcere di Bollate. The vibrant local culture further enhanced my academic pursuits, creating a truly immersive experience.

Beyond academia, my time in Milan allowed me to hone my Italian language skills and deepen my understanding of global history through travels to nine different countries. Each journey enriched my love for world history, leaving an indelible mark on my personal growth. As I reflect on this remarkable chapter, I am profoundly grateful to IES Abroad for facilitating this life-changing opportunity. The memories, friendships, and mentorships I've acquired serve as treasured souvenirs of an unforgettable experience.

I spent Fall 2023 studying in Milan through IES Business Studies and it was the best experience of my life! I took two courses through IES Abroad and two courses at partner institution, Bocconi University. IES Abroad did a great job facilitating an easy transition for all students to their new home in Milan. It was an amazing opportunity to meet different people from various parts of the world, some who have become my closest friends. This was my first time away from home, which was one of my biggest fears regarding studying abroad, but IES made the adjustment very easy as I was constantly surrounded by support and any assistance if I needed it. This experience was the most amazing way to meet different people and diversify your perspectives in many different aspects. I gained a new sense of appreciation for cherishing the simple things in life, which is a big part of Italian culture and am so happy I could bring that new perspective back home with me. I became much more independent through navigating my new life abroad, but of course had the support of advisors and IES Abroad staff to help me along the way.

I had the time of my life in Milan! I met some of my best friends and I am still in contact with them today. I took classes that were engaging and immersed me into the culture. I connected with IES Abroad staff and am still in contact with them. I had some of the best food and I took a cooking class to learn more about what ingredients/recipes are popular in which regions and why that is. Milan also has a big airport within a 1 hour train ride so I was able to travel every weekend (besides a couple I stayed in Milan) for pretty cheap. Hands down the best time of my life!

As a student in the IES Milan program, I have some insights. First, the structure of the program was great. I arrived in Italy a few days before the program start day for fall 2023 with my family, just to get a feel of Italy. On the actual program day, I was met by two IES advisors at College di Milano (where I resided throughout the semester). They helped me put away my luggage, get integrated into Italian culture by taking my group out to different restaurants and set up my class schedule. I was also introduced to a group of other IES students that would become some of my closest friends throughout my stay in Italy. So when I say these mentors helped me throughout my stay...aaahhhh I appreciate them so much. I also like the way most classes were set up so that we had more free time to shop, go to museums, meet other IES students and explore Milan and beyond.

I studied abroad in Milan to learn more about fashion. I love how I had the opportunity to be immersed into a hands-on environment to truly see what fashion is like. We went on field trips to Florence to see the Gucci Gardens and Feragamo Museum. We as well did field studies in Milan to see a variety of window displays and store interiors. It was a very exciting and educational experience.

I also met many friends abroad. I enjoyed traveling with them and going out each night. We loved to visit the Navigli for apreitvo (An Italian specialty).

My study abroad in Milan was so so amazing. I got to see and experience that I never dreamed would be possible. I think that if I were to do it all over again and start from the beginning, I would still choose IES Milan a million times over. I actually went abroad by myself and I was so scared that I wasn’t going to make friends but with the orientation that IES held and the way they do housing, by the end of the first week I had made so many lifelong friends. IES has a class schedule where most weeks you don't have class on Friday’s so not only was I able to experience Italian culture, I was also able to travel to many different countries in the three months that I was in Europe. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who loves fashion, big cities, and pasta/pizza.

Choosing IES Abroad Milan was the best decision I could've made! All of my classes were super intriguing (I was actually excited to go to class), the organized trips were fun and convenient, and everyone I met was super nice and supportive. Living in Milan was also much more convenient than I thought it would be -- access to other cities in Italy, as well as access to other countries in Europe was super easy. The food, the culture, the IES support system, and all of the fun activities that happen in Milan made my trip super worth it. You won't regret it if you choose IES Milan!