Location
  • Italy
    • Milan
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Art History Business Communications Cultural Studies Fashion Design Film History International Business International Relations Literature Music Political Science Psychology Sociology +4
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Classes Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Apr 09, 2025
Oct 25, 2024
42 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Ciao e benvenuti in Italia! Milan is a wonderful blend of classic architecture and Italian culture as well as a global center for finance, education, commerce, design, and fashion.

With a wide range of majors to choose from, students can enjoy the flexibility to choose what program will best fit their academic goals. This study abroad opportunity welcomes students of all Italian language levels, whether they speak no Italian whatsoever or are fluent. Featured programs include Art, Music, Business, Italian Language, Design and Fashion, as well as Social Sciences.

Milan will be your classroom. Only in Milan can you marvel at the grandeur of the Duomo, see the artistic detail of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in person, and find classical manuscripts at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. In addition to the academics, students will also enjoy the ability to participate in field trips, ranging from a weekend in Tuscany to a ski weekend. Welcome to study abroad!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Today, and every day, we celebrate who you are and who you will become. We take pride in simply getting to know you, and look forward to adventuring through this incredible world with you.

Studying abroad as part of the LGBTQIA+ community can present unique opportunities and challenges in exploring a new culture, so we have compiled resources on sexual orientation, gender identity, and allyship to help prepare you and support you along the way.
Going abroad, whether this is your first time or your umpteenth, can be a trip both literally and figuratively. Seeing something new or being someplace unfamiliar has its own challenges, especially when it comes to mental health and physical accessibility. With IES Abroad, you won't handle these concerns on your own.

We have not only compiled resources on mental health, physical health, and self-care to help prepare you and support you along the way, but we also have a dedicated Student Affairs staff that are available for you to contact from the United States and once in your host country.
Going abroad, whether this is your first time or your umpteenth, can be a trip both literally and figuratively. Seeing something new or being someplace unfamiliar has its own challenges, especially when it comes to mental health and physical accessibility. With IES Abroad, you won't handle these concerns on your own.

We have not only compiled resources on mental health, physical health, and self-care to help prepare you and support you along the way, but we also have a dedicated Student Affairs staff that are available for you to contact from the United States and once in your host country.

Impact 🌎

As part of IES Abroad's Global Good Commitment, IES Abroad employs sustainability measures in the following ways:
-Moving toward more sustainable Headquarters and Centers abroad
-Producing printed materials mindfully
-Hosting events and conferences in LEED-certified buildings
-Purchasing carbon offsets for staff air travel
-The formation of the IES Abroad Sustainability Team - a dedicated group of volunteers responsible for implementing sustainable practices across our organization. The team comprises of members across our Centers, departments, teams. It is truly a global effort, and we are better for it.

Program Highlights

  • Experience the vibrant atmosphere, charming culture, and delectable foods native to Milan.
  • Choose to live in a homestay, local apartment, or dormitory; all three of which provide a unique cultural experience and connections to Milan residents.
  • Take an Italian language course (included) and explore optional internship opportunities and subject-related field trips.
  • Enjoy trips that highlight the true beauty of Italy, such as excursions to Tuscany, Sicily, the Alps, and Lake Maggiore.
  • Climb to the top of Il Duomo, stroll the fashionable streets of Via Montenapoleone, or wander the grounds of the Sforzesco Castle--all quickly accessible from anywhere in the city.

Popular Programs

group of smiling with city skyline behind them

No matter what level of Italian you speak, we invite you to study here and experience Milan’s rich culture. You are placed in an Italian language course that’s been designed for you based on your language level. Our Italy Today Program offers you courses in liberal arts and social sciences, all of which address aspects of contemporary Italian society. You can also take courses at a local university—maybe you’ll even make some Italian friends while you’re at it.

student poking her head into view on a balcony on top of the Duomo di Milano

We provide one-of-a-kind courses that explore the world of business, as well as a wide variety of courses focusing on contemporary issues in Italy. Take an elective in Art History, Political Science, or Photography to create a diverse course load. Round out your study abroad education with the required Italian language classes that are tailored to your skill level. You can also enroll in a local university course to learn about international business alongside Italian and international students.

two students performing, one singing, one playing the harp

As a music student in Milan, you have the opportunity to work with world-class musicians, soak up the local music scene, perform at a variety of venues, and attend a wide range of performances. At the Center, there is a full range of opportunities for instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, and performance majors, and partnerships with the Civica Scuola di Musica, the Conservatorio G. Verdi, La Verdi Symphonic Choir and Orchestra and more!

student standing in front of a rack of clothing in a sunlit room

Our Fashion Design & Merchandising Program offers a holistic fashion experience. Encounter the sources of global trends in business, design, tailoring, fabrics and materials, modeling, and marketing. Learn about the business of fashion from local experts and professors from the best universities in Milan. Join the Milanese design and tailoring scene through practicum courses at professional fashion institutes offering hands-on lessons in clothing and accessory creation.

Students posing with celebrity in Milan

Experience Milan like a local student this summer, in one of Europe's iconic hubs for global business and finance. What better place to bolster your business studies than in a city that’s at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship—home to world-renowned companies like Giorgio Armani, Bugatti, and Pirelli?

Milan's Duomo at Sunset

Participate in an accelerated Italian learning experience with a full semester of course credits designed to fit conveniently in under 90 days. The shorter timeline offers much of the same academic rigor and cultural richness as the longer Fall offerings in Milan but without the visa requirements involved with a longer stay. Students of this program will enroll in an Italian language course along with IES Abroad classmates which fits their current level of proficiency.

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 98 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.84%
  • 4 rating 8.16%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.2
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 89 - 96 of 98 reviews
Default avatar
Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

La bella vita

Studying in Milan was the greatest experience of my life. I learned so much about myself, Italy, and the world. The best parts of IES Abroad - Milan, in my opinion, are:
1. The community assistants
2. Living in a non-touristy city
3. Italian food, culture, language, etc.
4. Ability to intern at a real Italian company
5. Having every-other Friday off of class to travel
6. Field trips for classes
7. IES-sponsored trip to Sicily and Tuscany in the fall

What would you improve about this program?
I would've liked to know my housing, class registration, and academic calendar information sooner than they sent it out.
70 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AMAZING

The professor and staff at IES Milan were so wonderful and they made my transition so easy. My classes were exciting yet challenging. The city of Milan has everything a student could every want or need. There is so much to do and see. Eating and shopping are both amazing. I made some wonderful friends during my time in Milan who I am still great friends with today.

What would you improve about this program?
The living costs in Milan are very expensive.
65 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
jortizquezada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Da togliere il fiato

This was the best experience of my life! The IES program is very flexible in that it allows students to either have a lot of assistance or not much. I opted to take classes at a local university and live in an Italian dorm. But the IES staff were always available to answer questions, if I need them. I really feel like I lived like an Italian during my time there. I will always appreciate IES for such an incredible experience.

What would you improve about this program?
I would probably have offered more help for the students who didn't take courses at IES as managing the Italian university system on my own was difficult.
68 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kimi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IES Abroad Milan

I absolutely loved my experience in Milan and learned so much about the culture, language, and people. I was paired with an amazing host family who were so loving and happy, and taught me so much. I improved my Italian immensely, and my cooking skills! The classes were challenging, but not impossible, and I learned a lot about fashion, cooking, the Italian language, and photography.

What would you improve about this program?
My biggest problem was that the program was advertised as a business studies program, but only provided one class that was through IES.
65 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
mmalon11
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Phenomenal Experience

Studying Abroad in Milan was an unforgettable experience and amazing opportunity. Especially since Milan is not a popular tourist destination, you are able to fully immerse yourself in the city and Italian culture. Milan is a thriving city in Italy and offers plenty of things to do. It has a deep cultural roots, especially in design, art, and fashion. Not only is the city great, the IES staff is absolutely wonderful. While it may seem intimidating at first, the IES staff does a great job allowing the students to become independent, responsible adults. They do not "hold your hand" through the process, which allows for personal growth. The program offers a variety of classes, catering to the student's needs. I would highly recommend the program to students interested in studying abroad. My studies in Milan served as both excellent educational and cultural experiences that I will always remember.

67 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
tdemet01
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Italy was awesome

Milan was great and the program was one of the best and I had a lot of fun with both the people that were part of the program and also the student that were in the program.

Bonus tip: Definitely check out a soccer game in Milan. The atmosphere alone is amazing!

69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
anonymous
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

I would recommend this program to anyone. I enjoyed studying in Milan probably more than I would have in another Italian city because it is not a typical place for American students to study abroad. It is not a tourist destination. It forced me to step outside my comfort zone, speak to people in Italian and live in the everyday Italian lifestyle. IES Abroad was also a great program because the staff was very supportive and the group of students on the program was great.
For anyone studying business, I would recommend taking advantage of the fact that IES Abroad has an affiliation with Bocconi University, the top University in Italy. I took classes there which I absolutely loved because it gave me the chance to really experience what an Italian college is like and I met a lot of people outside of the program.

74 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
kwendt
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Top-Notch Study Abroad Staff

The IES Staff made my experience at IES Milan. From the beginning, the greeted us with open arms. The staff always had a smile on, willing to help us pick classes or just talk about the study abroad experience. Housing provided us with a beautiful apartment, in a great location in the city, right near a metro line. And while the staff never babied us, they always were there as a support system, in case of emergency or just if we wanted to talk.

64 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

For my particular program, there were a few different options for housing - homestay, apartment (with other American students), or Italian dormitory. I chose the Italian dorm, since I wanted to meet Italian students my age and be completely immersed in the language. I didn't have to worry about roommates, since I had a single room, but everyone shared the kitchen and other dorm facilities; it was...