IES Abroad Milan

My experience through IES Abroad Milan Business studies was incredible to say the least. The city of Milan is gorgeous that is very modern compared to other Italian cities, but contains the historic "Italian" feel. The IES Abroad Milan staff helped me with all my questions, kept me safe, and suggested great sites and travel ideas. The academics were perfect, as they were not too challenging, but I learned a great amount. There were many classes offered and class size was small, promoting a good relationship with professors. I lived with 5 other guys in an apartment and they became my best friends on the program; I didn't know anyone going into the program. My community assistant (CA) was great too, as he wasn't too overbearing, but kept us safe and answered all the questions we had. There is a lot to do in the city of Milan, everything from seeing beautiful museums, to going to soccer matches, you never get bored.The 3.5 months I spent studying in Milan through IES Abroad was the best experience of my life, and I wish I could go back!

I stayed at a home stay family- a family of three. There was the mother, the 15 year old daughter and the 22 year old daughter. Although Carlotta, the 22 year old daughter was very busy with work, school, and internships, when she had little time to see and talk to me, she was a very sweet and nice person. I am glad that I was able to bond with someone that was Italian and around my age since that was what I wanted to do most. However, Virginia, the 15 year old teenage girl was who I connected with the most. She loved Japanese culture and since I am Japanese, we were able to exchange cultural information and differences with each other. I would speak Italian with her on a daily basis (although the mother wanted me to speak English to her) while other times, I would sit down with her and teach her some Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Virginia also showed me different cultures of Japan and that I had not known before, such as different anime television shows and dance moves. However, the person that I appreciate the most is my home stay mother. Whether it was eating cheese and drinking wine at 10 pm or taking me to the supermarket to show me that you need a 25 cent euro to be able to use the carts, she truly treated me like her daughter during my stay at her home. These are what I liked best about my accommodation. The times that I spent with my home stay family is something that I will never forget and is something that I will appreciate for the rest of my life.

It's a strange moment when you are cook in your own home and the smells remind you of a home in some far away place. You realize that where you grew up your whole life isn't home anymore. You left a piece of you in Italy, in Milan with the friends you made, the family you lived with and you realize that if home is where the heart is than you need to be back in Italy. That is the essence of study abroad. For me the smell is pasta con pesto, a simple dish my homestay mom made for me almost daily. It takes me back to sitting in her kitchen and helping her cook pasta and chatting in Italian about school that day. Studying abroad gives you a new life, a new home, and a new sense of self. It will change you and in the end that will make you a better person. So go! Apply today, get on that plane, and get ready for your life to change.

I spent my Spring 2015 semester abroad in Milan, Italy - it was the best decision I ever made. Everyone always says that studying abroad is a life-changing experience. Until I went abroad, I didn’t fully understand just how great it really would be. I chose Milan as my study abroad destination because I had always wanted to travel to Italy and I thought what better way to get there than to spend an entire semester LIVING there.
While in Milan, I was able to live with a homestay family. I highly recommend choosing the homestay option for this program. My homestay family was so great and they made my abroad experience so special. I feel like I really connected to my family and the Italian culture more than my fellow students who chose to live in an apartment.
Spending a semester abroad allows you to become more independent and confident in yourself. When you get back to the U.S., you will notice things about yourself that have changed, for the better, thanks to spending time abroad. I cannot encourage you all enough to go abroad, whether it be in Milan or on another IES program. You’ll be so happy that you did!

Why Milan? Because it's the best combination of adventure and academics. The IES program in this thriving Italian city does such a great job of not only making students feel comfortable, but also encouraging students to explore and dive into the Italian culture. The program had us live in the apartments with an Italian roommate and she completely enhanced my Italian adventure. Not to mention she helped translate a time or two...There was just enough school, just enough travel and just enough social life. Everything was balanced and, of course, beautiful because it's Italy...

Studying abroad as an American student is such a humbling experience. You learn about yourself, the culture you primarily identify with, and most importantly the particular place you are living. That's why Milan is such a great choice. Combine curiosity with great academics, an interesting city, and an awesome culture and you have yourself an amazing experience. Living in the city was the coolest way to completely immerse myself into the Italian lifestyle. Although a famous city, Milan is less touristy than other Italian favorites which is why living there was such a great decision. You really get to experience the best of both worlds: being a tourist yet seeing the truest form of Italy.

AND THE FOOD...I don't even think I have to explain...

As far as traveling goes, Milan was the place to be. The transportation options were incredible and everything was so accessible. Personally, Milan was the best place for me to study abroad because I could balance my academics, internship, social life and travel for an incredible four months. Sitting here and writing this review I am experiencing the infamous nostalgia you hear everyone talk about. It's real, and to be honest, I'm happy I have it. I just goes to show you how much of an impact my life Milan had on this small town girl...I had never been out of the country before my semester abroad and I am so incredibly happy Milan was my first stop!

Milan is an amazing city! It is modern, international, and it is important within global markets. However, it is not overly crowded and it retains Italy's rich culture. From da Vinci's The Last Supper, to risotto alla Milanese, to the UniCredit Tower - Milan remains a hub of history, culture, and business. It's an extremely walkable city, though the public transit system will take you anywhere you need to go. The Navigli (canal) area lined with bars and restaurants is beautiful any time of year, and the birthplace of the aperitivo does not disappoint. As for IES, the staff is generous and attentive. They are very helpful in the accommodation process upon arrival, as well as with any other need you may have throughout the semester. I stayed after the end of my semester for an internship outside of IES, but I remained in close contact with them and they were always happy to see me. I highly, highly recommend this program!

I loved participating in IES Abroad’s Milan program. From arrival, they helped us become situated while still giving us the freedom to explore. I lived with an Italian roommate, and I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She helped us figure out how to get around Milan, gave us amazing restaurant suggestions, taught us delicious recipes, and became a great friend. IES staff also organized some really fun trips for us. For example, we got to go to Parma, Italy, where we sampled amazing parmesan cheese and 50-year old balsamic vinegar. I enjoyed many of the trips that they organized and thought they were a great part of my experience abroad.

Milan itself is a fantastic city to study abroad in. Although it might not be known for having the most tourist sites, it has an incredible history of Leonardo daVinci living and working there, and the Duomo, Sforza Castle, and Galleria are incredible buildings. Due to the relatively fewer tourists, I felt as though I could actually get to know the city itself. I loved exploring the bakeries, cafes, and aperitivos. I would also encourage students to participate in city events. I ran in the Stramilano 10K, and it was such an incredible opportunity that the average tourist would never experience. Be sure to seek out those unique activities, because they will add so much to your time abroad.

Travelling to Milan through the IES Milan: Italy Today program was one of the best experiences of my life. IES not only helps you provides you an opportunity to travel to a foreign country, it helps you immerse yourself within a foreign culture where you are able to learn, experience, and take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of Italy. This program provides you with opportunities to travel outside of your chosen Italian city, and also provides many opportunities to experience day to day life as an Italian. Activities such as Italian conversations, tours around the cities, trips to soccer games truly shows what it is like to live in Milan. In addition to this, courses that cover Italian cinema, history, art, business, and more truly show life as an Italian young adult. These courses, which are both provided at the IES institution as well as partner institutions helped my immersion into Italian education. The internships provided by this program also add an aspect of Italian life that one couldn't get anywhere else. Overall, this experience was wonderful and I would highly recommend it.