Naviglio Canal in Milan_ Italy at twilight.jpg
Milan, Italy

Fashion Design & Culture

Arts & Culture

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$7,550

Highlights

Career exploration

Daily activities and excursions

Design practice

Hotel

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$7,550

Highlights

Career exploration

Daily activities and excursions

Design practice

Hotel

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview
Explore Milan in style as you develop your fashion design skills and work on your own creation!

Strut into the heart of fashion in northern Italy, where every step inspires creativity and innovation. Milan’s decades-long tradition of craftsmanship and textile production is a fabulous backdrop to experience the design process—from conception to prototypes. . Design, assemble, and take home your own fashion piece. In the end, participate in our very own Global Navigator fashion show! 

Meet local fashion entrepreneurs and visit ateliers (private artist workshops). Learn how to present your creations from a professional stylist. Draw inspiration from exhibits at the iconic Armani Silos. Discuss fast-fashion and sustainability, too. 

When not working on your designs, stroll the streets of Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda, a neighborhood lined with boutiques and high-end fashion houses. On excursions, discover the charm of Florence and the serene beauty of Lake Como. . In Milan, you’ll savor the chance to vivi la tua vita al meglio (live life to the fullest) and get a new perspective on fashion!

Academic Merit Award Available

Only the Academic Merit Award is available for this program. The CIEE Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS) is NOT available. If you want to apply for the GNS based on your academic merit and financial need, check out our Fashion Design & French Culture program in Paris.

A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future

Explore

Have fun discovering Milan's fashion scene and innovative styles.

Network

Meet new friends and fashion experts. Build your own community.

Get Inspired

Launch your future today! Sketch, prototype, and showcase your own fashion piece ! Gain skills to create your own fashion designs.

Destination
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II_milan.jpg
  • Madonnina_milan.jpg
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II inside milan.jpg

The Destination

Welcome to Milan, a cosmopolitan city at the heart of the world’s leading trends and prestigious fashion houses. 

Nestled in northern Italy, Milan is a city dripping with historic and modern charm, not far from the natural beauty of Lake Como and the Italian Alps. Its strategic location as the gateway to Europe has historically allowed the easy exchange of goods and ideas, shaping it into Italy's economic and financial capital.  

The city's legacy of craftsmanship and luxury dates back to the Renaissance, a tradition that continues to shape Milan's influence on international fashion and design. Today, Milan hosts one of the world's most famous Fashion Weeks and is a hub for renowned brands like Armani, Versace, Valentino, and Prada. 

Beyond fashion, Milan is celebrated for its contributions to Italy's art and culinary scene. Witness masterpieces like da Vinci's "The Last Supper" at the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Marvel at the Duomo, a Gothic cathedral boasting intricately carved spires that took almost 600 years to build. Savor local specialties like Risotto alla Milanese, a rice dish made with saffron and Parmesan cheese, and espresso, an art of brewing coffee refined in Milan. 

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Milan.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Objective

Benvenuti a Milano! You will begin to create your fashion piece after developing some basic knowledge of design and immersing yourself in Milan’s vibrant fashion scene through cultural activities.

Highlights*

  • Walking tour of Quadrilatero della Moda (Milan's famous shopping district) and Milan's fashion landmarks.
  • Climb the Duomo rooftop
  • Day trip to Lake Como 

*Subject to change.

Objective

You will advance your fashion piece design process. You will gain insights into Italian craftsmanship through important workshops and visits to exhibitions. You will have fun making your own pizza and enjoying your overnight trip!

Highlights*

  • Jewelry making workshop at Istituto Europeo di Design
  • Pizza-making class
  • Overnight trip to Florence
  • Armani exhibition at Armani Silos

*Subject to change.

Objective

You will use everything you have learned so far to finalize the design of your fashion piece and present it professionally to the rest of the group at our fashion show. You will reflect on the connections between your design work and Italian culture and innovation explored throughout the program, including visits to sustainable fashion makers.

Highlights*

  • Day trip to Monza and the Formula 1 circuit
  • Tarantella dance class
  • Visit to Spazio 3R, a social enterprise helping vulnerable women rebuild their lives through sustainable tailoring  
  • Final project runway show 

*Subject to change.

Monday–Friday  

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places.

  • Breakfast at the residence hall
  • Hands-on design classes with expert instructors and fashion industry professionals
  • Lunch with your fellow Global Navigators
  • Out and about for fashion workshops or a cultural activity
  • Dinner at the residence hall or in the community

Housing 

Residence hall, shared rooms with other Global Navigators

Weekends 

  • Overnight or day excursions to top sites 
  • Quality time with friends
Activities

Sample Activities

mlan Students in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.jpg

Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!

  • Step into the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy’s oldest shopping gallery, where Milan's fashion legacy comes alive.
  • Climb the duomo rooftop and admire Milan’s view from above.  
  • Unleash your creativity in a graffiti T-shirt customizing workshop, where local street artists guide you in designing your own wearable masterpiece inspired by urban art.
  • Join in on a cooking class as a local chef shares his secrets to make a perfect Milanese dish.
  • Stroll along the Naviglio Grande, the oldest canal in Milan, built back in the 12th century. Visit art galleries displaying the works of young Milanese talent.

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. 

Testimonials
From CIEE

A slice of Italy: our student's unforgettable Pizza workshop

By Khadija Tirha at CIEE

Last week, our students had the incredible opportunity to participate in a pizza-making workshop hosted by the renowned pizzeria "Rosso Pomodoro." As the largest chain of Neapolitan pizzerias worldwide, this... keep reading

From CIEE

How to Apply for Your First Passport

By High School Summer Abroad at CIEE

Prepare early for your study abroad adventure and apply for your first passport. Here’s how!

From CIEE

How To Write a Great Scholarship Application Essay

By HS Summer Abroad Program Leaders at CIEE

Earning a CIEE Global Navigator Scholarship is a prestigious honor that can help you stand out for years to come, especially on college applications! Plus, these scholarships give hundreds of... keep reading

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • Program open to current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling on program.
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.

Important note on shoe sizes: Participants should be aware that shoe sizes will only be available in unisex sizes 5-12 (half sizes are not available).

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations, or contact us!

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,550
Program Summer Session II 2026 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $7,550

Ready to change your life?

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

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...

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.

Request Info