Fashion Design & Italian Culture
Summer '25 New Program!
The Take-Aways
Real-world Experience
Experience the fashion design process from your own sketches on paper to creating a custom sneaker prototype. Come home with the skills to create and present your own fashion designs.
Credentials For Your Future
Topics for your college essays, experience to inform your future career, a portfolio documenting your creative process, and a sneaker design and prototype.
Life Skills And New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and improved communication and leadership skills. Enjoy a broader worldview and diverse friendships from across the U.S.
45
Hours Of Expert Instruction
3
Weeks Pursuing Your Passion
1
Life-changing Experience
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.
Sample Activities
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.
- Visit D-house Urban Laboratory, in the heart of Milan, and witness how designers come together to work on projects and research new technologies in fashion and other local industries.
- Experience Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, one of the world’s most famous masterpieces, painted on the wall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie church.
- 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.
STEP into Your Future
Students participated in an interactive activity designed to peak their STEM and STEAM curriculum creativity. The STEP Futurability District https://www.steptothefuture.it/en/what-is-step links students to the future while showing them their present... keep reading
Bar Luce - designed by movie director Wes Anderson
INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC BARS of Milan in the 1950s and 60s, the Bar Luce café is entirely designed by the American director Wes Anderson. Based on strong pastel colors... keep reading
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's piece "The Last Supper" was painted for the Dominican monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie of Milan between 1495 and 1498. This magnificent painting, which is painted directly... keep reading
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
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 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $8,450 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $8,450 |
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
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...
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