Fashion, Retail & Innovation
Unique Experiences
Apply Your Language Skills
in an internship at an Italian company
Explore the Lombardy Region
from Como to the Alps
Shop to Your Heart’s Content
at The Galleria of Vittorio Emanuele II, the oldest shopping mall
Your Destination
Milan is Italy’s fashion-forward capital, celebrated for its trendsetting style, retail powerhouses, and entrepreneurial spirit. As home to iconic fashion houses, cutting-edge concept stores, and major global trade shows, the city is a real-world lab for students passionate about fashion, business, and innovation. With its stylish energy, diverse neighborhoods, and thriving creative scene, Milan is the perfect place to study abroad.
Program Highlights
- Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses, host institution courses, and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
- Optional Internship Placements: Enhance your program with an optional for-credit internship that aligns with your career aspirations.
- Immersive Experiences: Participate in activites, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
- Academic Projects: Enroll in an optional for-credit independent research project or service-learning project for increased professional development opportunities.
Excursions & Activities
CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Milan will open doors for you to explore Italy's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.
Samples of past excursions and activities:
- Visit important cultural and historical landmarks in nearby cities like Venice and Genoa
- Take a trip to the nearby Cinque Terre coastal area to do some hiking
- Socialize with local students to have an aperitif or to watch a calcio game
Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
Program Blogs
Top 5 Italian Holidays and Traditions
Ever wondered what it's like to celebrate like an Italian? Spoiler alert: It's not just about pizza and pasta. When you mix ancient traditions, mouth-watering food, and a dash of... keep reading
Top 10 Italian Slang Words & Phrases You Must Know
Planning to study abroad in Italy? Beyond the iconic landmarks, endless pasta, and rich espresso, there's something essential that will help you truly blend in with the locals: Italian slang... keep reading
Should I Study Abroad in Spain or Italy?
When weighing your study abroad options, it’s easy to get stuck on a few favorite destinations. We get it! After all, we offer a ton of different study abroad programs... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Milan offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to shared apartments to residence halls, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. All housing has direct access to plenty of shopping, supermarkets, restaurants, and public transportation.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or a double room in a shared apartment or residence hall.
Shared Apartments/Residence Halls: Shared Apartments and residence halls feature furnished double rooms, with shared kitchen, bathrooms and common spaces, and are located under 45 minutes from the CIEE Center.
Homestays: Homestays offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Milan culture. Students have the freedom to come and go as they please whilst spending time with their host family and learning more about what life is like living in Milan.
Select Housing: Includes a single room in a shared apartment or residence hall. Both apartments and residence halls feature furnished single rooms with shared kitchen, bathrooms and common spaces, and are under 45 minutes from the CIEE Center. Select housing requires an additional fee.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Apartments & Residence Halls: Meals not included
Homestays: Host families provide two meals per day.
Academics
CIEE Milan: Study at the CIEE Milan center in the heart of the hip Isola district, in close proximity to plenty of restaurants, cafés, and a local market. Just around the corner from the iconic Vertical Forest buildings, CIEE Milan features modern classrooms, welcoming lounge areas, and a serene atmosphere.
Accademia del Lusso di Milano (ADL): ADL is an Italian fashion and design school founded in 2005 and located in Milan's prestigious Via Montenapoleone. With a student-centered approach, small class sizes, and a faculty of industry professionals, Accademia del Lusso emphasizes hands-on learning, sustainability, and direct engagement with the fashion industry through workshops, internships, and events like Milan Fashion Week.
Università di Comunicazione e Lingue (IULM): IULM, founded in 1968, is a prestigious university that offers innovative programs in fields like communication, marketing, fashion, tourism, and creative industries, blending academic rigor with real-world application. With a modern campus and strong industry connections, IULM stands out for its international outlook, experiential learning, and emphasis on preparing students for dynamic careers in global markets.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC): Affectionately known as Cattolica, UCSC is an Italian private research university, founded in 1921. Its main campus is located in Milan, Italy, with satellite campuses in Brescia, Piacenza, Cremona, and Rome. The university is organized into 12 faculties and seven postgraduate schools. In the renowned QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, Cattolica’s ascendency placed the University in formidable company, with 16 disciplines ranked in the top 300 in the world, or higher.
Arizona State University: Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.
Course Information
Academic Projects
Agriculture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Biological and Physical Sciences
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Psychology
Academic Projects
Agriculture
Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Social Sciences
Visual and Performing Arts
Biological and Physical Sciences
Engineering and Engineering Technologies
Natural Resources, Conservation, and the Environment
Psychology
The courses listed below are a sample list; offerings are subject to change.
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
International Curriculum (all courses listed are 6 ECTS/3 U.S. credits and run in both the Fall and Spring semesters, unless otherwise specified):
Fashion, Retail and Innovation courses:
- Fashion Images and the City of Milan. A Sociological Perspective on Modern Italian Fashion
- What is Design? The Fundamentals of an Italian Industry - spring only
- The Fashion Market: Structure, Players and Success Factors
- Luxury Business Insights
- A Fashion Brand: from Line Creation to Market Placement. A case study
- Managing Sustainability in Fashion and Luxury
- Fashion and Gender: an Ever-changing Relationship - spring only
- Made in Italy: Shaping Italian Lifestyle through Fashion and Food - fall only
- Fashion Communication: History and Analysis
Business and Economics courses:
- Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship: the Italian Perspective
- Entrepreneurship Lab: Creating a New Business
- Green Management & Sustainability
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Business, Government and the Global Economy
- The Economics of the European integration
- The Globalization of Finance: Managing Returns and Risks
- Business Ethics
- Leadership Coaching: Bringing Potential to the Stage of Work
- The Human Side of Business
- Diversity at Work: Working Better by Working Together
- Performance Management at Work
- Sustainable Tourism Lab
- International Marketing: Strategies for the Global Marketplace
International Relations courses:
- The European Union in the World: Crisis or Transformation?
- International Relations and the Middle East: A Comparative European Perspective
- The International System in International Relations: Origins, Evolution, and Contemporary Challenges
Italian Culture: Literature, Theater, Cinema, Music, Philosophy, and History courses:
- Methods of Illusion: la Mise-en-scène from Drama to Fiction and Visual Arts
- Writers & Painters, Words and Colours: Italy and the Arts - spring only
- Creative Italian Storytelling: from Literature to Cinema to other Forms of Fiction
- Drama: "The Word to the Action" in the Italian Commedia dell'Arte
- The Discovery of Italy through its Culinary Traditions
- A Mafia Story: Its Representation in Literature, Cinema and Television
- Italy, a Country to Savor
- The Italian Foods of the Future
- Italian Wine Culture in Literature and Practice
Media and Communications courses:
- Federico Fellini and Contemporary Italian Cinema
- Digital Journalism and Digital Media in Italy
- Publishing, Publicity and Cultural Journalism
- Television, Advertising, Music: The Italian Approach to the Media
- From Strategy to Effective Presentations - Methodologies to Write and Present Convincing and Engaging Communications
- "Luxury for Sustainability": How Values Meet and Cross in Corporate and Brand Communication - spring only
- Personal Marketing Performance skills at work
- A Sensorial Journey Towards Intercultural Competences
- The Music Business
- Brand Communication in the Art and Tourism Sectors
Sociology, Psychology, and Law courses:
- Are Individuals the Same in the East and West? Cultural Differences in Social Psychological Processes -
- Human Strengths and Well-being - spring only
- Made in Italy: Shaping Italian Lifestyle through Fashion and Food
Accademia del Lusso di Milano (ADL)
Fashion Design Courses
- History of Fashion and Design 1 and 2
- Fashion Marketing
- Accessories Design
- Communication of Fashion Products
- Eco-fashion and Innovative Techniques for Fashion
- Copyright Elements
- Psychology and Sociology of Color Applied to Design
- Textile Design 2
- Fashion Brand Management
- Fashion Start-up Management
- Textile Manipulation Techniques
Fashion Styling Communication Courses
- Material Technology
- History of Modern Art
- History of Fashion and Design 1 and 2
- Foundations of Computer Science
- Fashion Product Communication
- Fashion Marketing
- Latest Trends in Visual Art
- Basic Fittings and Alterations
- History of Art 2
- Fashion and Luxury marketing
- Communication of Fashion Products 3
- Fashion Start-up Management
Fashion Brand Management Courses
- History of Fashion and Design 1
- Fashion Brand Management 1
- Fundamentals of Financial Economics
- History of Modern Art
- Fashion Digital Marketing
- History of Art 2
- Law and Licensing
- Fashion Brand Management 2
- Digital Technologies
- Fashion Markets and Positioning
- Eco-fashion and Innovative Techniques for Fashion
- Phenomenon of Contemporary Art
- Communication and Inside Marketing
- Advertising Communication and Cultural Marketing
- Fashion Start-up Management
- Latest Trends in Visual Art
- Media Phenomenology
IULM University: Università di Comunicazione e Lingue
Undergraduate Level Courses
Please note: not all the courses in the following sample list are available in both semesters. Check the following page https://www.iulm.it/en/internazionale/studenti-internazionali/incoming-students in section "Course Catalogue and Programs” for the updated course offering. Note that courses with more than one language of instruction listed may be instructed in either language or both.
Sample English language course list:
- Strategy of Cultural Events
- Sociology
- Sociology of Media
- Information Systems and Digital Trends
- Corporate Communication
- Social Change in the Digital Age
- Consumer Psychology and Neuromarketing
- Professional Writing (Workshop) (Group 1)
- Professional Writing (Workshop) (Group 2)
- Product Innovation, Consumption and Marketing
- Professional English IV for International Students
- Economics
- Public Relations (Workshop)
- Communication Management in Public Sector (Workshop)
- Retail Marketing Innovation
- Advertising
- Semiotics
- Management
- Professional English III
- Marketing
- Statistics and Market Research
- Event Management and Sponsorship
- Communicating in Critical Situations
- Social Media Management for Corporate Communication
- Influencer Marketing Strategies
- Organization Theories & HR Management
- Introduction to Public and Private Law
- Creativity and Design
- Creativity and Advertising
- Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Communication
- Business Strategy
- Marketing & Sales
- Public Speaking (Group 1)
- Public Speaking (Group 2)
- Public Speaking (Group 3)
- Professional and Academic Writing in English
First Year Master’s Courses:
Undergraduate incoming students can select first-year Master’s courses from English-taught Master’s degree programs.
Fashion Communication and Luxury Strategies Courses
- Sustainability Strategies for Luxury and Fashion
- Fashion Narratives
- Cognitive Foundations of Economics
- Analytics and Global Consumer Insight
- Fashion and Luxury Events
- Aesthetics of Luxury
- Consumer Anthropology
- Brand Heritage and Storytelling
- Digital Trends
- Team and Project Management
Marketing, Consumer Behavior and Communication Courses
- Digital and Retail Marketing
- Data Analysis
- Advanced Marketing
- Network Society and International Consumption Studies
- Competitive Analysis
- Strategic Management
- Market and Consumer Behaviour Studies
- Sustainability and Branding
- Management of Design
Strategic Communication Courses
- Strategy and Management
- Fundamentals of Strategic Communication
- Issue and Crisis Management
- Principles of CSR and Communication
- Organizational Behaviour & Neuromanagement
- Social Media Relations Management
- AI for Communication and Marketing
- Data Analysis for Communication
- Visual Communication and Data Visualization
- Law and Communication
- Neuroscience for Communication
- Digital Markets
Hospitality and Tourism Management Courses
- Critical Issues in Hospitality and Tourism Human Resources
- Accounting and Financial Management
- Strategic Marketing in Hospitality and Tourism
- Cultural Heritage, Arts and Tourism
- Communication Skills for Business
- Managing Hospitality and Guest Services Organizations
- Digital Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism
- Introduction to Data Analysis for Marketing Research
- Geography for Sustainable Tourism Development
Television, Cinema and New Media Courses
- Philosophy of Media: The Human Mind and Technological Devices
- Digital Storytelling
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 15 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $20,950 |
| Program Academic year 2025-2026 | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date * | End Date TBD* | |
| Program Spring 2026 15 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $18,950 | |
| Program Fall 2026 16 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $14,456 ** |
| Housing | $6,000 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $20,950 |
Optional Housing
CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.
| Select Housing Fee | $1,500 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $392 † |
| International Airfare | $1,250 †† |
| Local Transportation | $240 |
| Books & Supplies | $150 |
| Visa Fees | $60 ††† |
| Potential travel to consulate for visa | $500 †††† |
| Personal expenses | $300 ††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,892 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $290 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Full-semester students only. To be paid at Italian consulate in US
††††If no consulate in your home area
†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $12,206 ** |
| Housing | $6,250 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $18,950 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $448 † |
| International Airfare | $1,250 †† |
| Local Transportation | $240 |
| Books & Supplies | $150 |
| Visa Fees | $60 ††† |
| Potential travel to consulate for visa | $500 †††† |
| Personal expenses | $310 ††††† |
| Total Costs | $2,958 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $320 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Full-semester students only. To be paid at Italian consulate in US
††††If no consulate in your home area
†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Stephen Marth
Center Director
Stephen joins CIEE with over a decade of experience in the study abroad field in Italy. He has lived and worked in Bologna and Rome, where he served first as...
Angela Lavecchia
Academic Director
Angela holds a BA in Foreign Languages and a MA in Comparative Literature from Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”. She has completed a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Promotion...
Beatrice D’Alimonte
Student Life Manager
Beatrice holds an MA in International Education from the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She is passionate about creating inclusive programming and empowering learning environments for students from diverse backgrounds and identities.
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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