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!

I chose to go to Milan for multiple reasons, all which held true. First the food. As an Italian food fanatic, living in Italy was heaven. Only the best and most fresh food every day. Second was the location. Milan's central location in Europe and three major airports makes flying to any other European city quick and easy. Lastly, Italy's diverse geography and culture provided for an amazing new destination every weekend. The IES staff were always very nice and supportive, and ensured that I had the best experience possible.

My experience studying abroad was life-changing. I think back to all the doubts and hesitations I had initially applying to study abroad. I was afraid of leaving my friends and family in home, I was afraid to immerse myself in an unfamiliar culture, I was afraid that I would not meet any new people, I was afraid I would be homesick...Oh, I would have never forgiven myself if I had given into these fears and did not study abroad. I made an entire new group of friends: we travelled together every weekend, we studied for our classes together, we went out to eat every night and tried new foods together (CACIO E PEPE IS NOW MY STAPLE FOOD), we explored beautiful art and architecture together (I GOT TO SEE THE LAST SUPPER IN-PERSON), we grew and developed together. We are still spending almost every minute together as we all go to Penn State (who knew I would meet new people abroad who went to the same school as me and who I never managed to meet on campus before!) And I can't forget about our guy friends who we met that are back at IU right now - they were always good sports when we would make them take tons of pictures of us.

My younger self saw the Lizzie Maguire movie when she went to Rome, Italy with her class. It was in that moment that I wanted to follow her steps and go abroad to Italy. And yes, I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome! Not only did I explore Italy (which by the way you must go on a gondola ride through Venice & go on a wine tour in the vineyards of Tuscany), but I had the opportunity to travel to 10 different countries in the span of four months (thanks to our 3 day weekends through IES Abroad). I got to live my Mamma Mia moment in Greece, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, live in luxury at an all-inclusive (that was actually very cheap) in Menorca (an island off of Spain), ate at the oldest restaurant that was built in the 1400s in Vienna, Austria, go to afternoon tea in London, go on a tour in a vintage car through Prague, explored on a catamaran boat in Lisbon, Portugal, and experience so many exciting other opportunities.

Let's not forget about the "study" part of study abroad. I actually got to learn a ton of Italian, which made it fun to converse with the locals. AND, I got to participate in a Language Exchange Program with a local Italian student, who I am still in touch with today. I got to take classes that were not offered at Penn State and were also so exciting (tons of fun field trips). I am SUPER into fashion and merchandise, so I was thrilled to take classes such as Visual Merchandising (all about retail window displays) and Managing Luxury Goods (I got to go to the Armani museum for this class). I also got super immersed with the enriching history and culture through my History of the Great Italian Cities class (because Europe has such an incredibly deep history that America does not have as we are babies compared to the age of other country's cultures). I even still got leadership experience through participating in the IES Abroad Student Council, in which I was able to collaborate with other students and provide my feedback, which was always taken into consideration.

In terms of my housing, it was so cheap (like less than half the amount I pay at Penn State), and it was gorgeous. I was in a very modern apartment (and yes, there actually was AC) with my own bedroom and bathroom. It had a big kitchen and a balcony (also a super fun rooftop). There were also plenty of amenities like a gym at my apartment complex. I ended up making most of my friends at the apartment complex. So don't get too worried about not having a good living situation...Trust me, it will work out.

I grew so much as an individual and developed more confidence and independence through this opportunity. I got to explore so many parts of the world. I would have never been able to do any of this if I had not studied abroad. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (not to sound too cheesy). PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR FEARS STOP YOU FROM HAVING A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY. I am living proof that studying abroad is absolutely worth taking the leap of faith.