Music - Vocal Performance Study Abroad Programs in Milan, Italy

I greatly enjoyed my experience abroad with the Umbra Institute. The institution was super helpful in preparing to leave the United States and provided lots of information as well as a pre-departure module that gave us important information and a “what to expect” page. Umbra also has a super up to date webpage with blurbs from past student’s which was helpful for me to see others’ experiences. Upon arrival and throughout the semester, the staff made themselves readily available to help during the adjustment period and beyond. They encouraged us to travel and experience our semester to the fullest. The staff gave us recommendations and were hands on throughout the semester. Our professors are simply the best of the best and are super knowledgeable about their fields. The school environment is welcoming and comfortable for all students which allowed me to feel equipped for learning and experimentation. There were endless ways to get involved throughout the semester through community engagement classes, volunteer opportunities, and small group involvement. I was apart of the Umbra Reps program which was a small group of six students who helped with student activities and involvement throughout the semester. I felt like I have been able to really immerse in the culture of Perugia and experience many places this semester. I will truly miss this place and this staff so much!!

My experience at the IES Milan - Music: Voice, Composition, and Instrumental program was truly stellar, filled with invaluable opportunities to learn about Italian music, language, culture, and social issues. I studied opera there and received the finest instruction from music professors like Patrizia Zanardi, Anna Fre, and Stefano Pintor. I was able to apply what I had learned in recitals and one-act operas that my fellow students and I presented at IES, and we had terrific fun in doing so. Not only that, but I was also able to learn by attending not one, not two, but FIVE La Scala opera productions, four of which were paid for by IES. My Staging Italian Opera class also got to observe a rehearsal at La Scala for Mozart's Idomeneo and tour the opera house's workshops. These opportunities shaped my abroad experience, and I am very grateful to IES for having provided them. Not only was my music education wonderful, but my other classes were excellent too. For example, I took Service Learning and gained insight into the European migration crisis by volunteering at the Municipality of Milan's immigration office, putting the skills I was learning in the seminar (and in my advanced Italian class) to action. I also volunteered as an English tutor to the social worker I shadowed at this office, helping him better serve the English-speaking migrants who came to the office. I found all of the staff at IES Milan to be superbly helpful. Whenever I had a question about anything, whether it involved an upcoming IES-sponsored trip or a personal health concern, they always answered my questions and showed that they cared about me. I felt that I was in very good hands for the entire semester. I lived in a homestay with a very kind and loving Milanese family, and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, as it was so fun to have younger "siblings" and to truly immerse myself in the Italian language. My homestay became my home away from home, and in difficult moments I was so grateful to have "parents" to lean on. And the food was incomparable, of course! Nothing in this world is better than a home-cooked Italian meal. Really the only thing that would have made the experience better for me would have been to feel better connected with the other IES students at the start of the program. Not having any roommates and living 35 minutes away from the IES center made socialization somewhat more difficult at the beginning of the semester, and I think my experience was similar to those of other homestay students in Milan. However, I made incredible friendships once I settled in and got my bearings, and I still stay in touch with them to this day! I hope that anyone who reads this will be able to study at IES Milan, especially if you are an undergraduate music student. It was the best semester of my life!

My experience with the IES Abroad Program in Milan, Italy was absolutely incredible! When I first started to look through my university's study abroad programs, I didn't see many for music. So when a friend pointed out IES Abroad's music programs in Vienna and Milan, I was immediately excited. Both Italy and Vienna can be considered birthplaces for music, as many important composers of the past were born or have worked there. I knew I couldn't pass these experiences up. Many of my friends also decided to apply to the same program, which made it even more exciting. The months after we were all accepted were a whirlwind. Finally, the day came to leave for Milan. Arriving in Milan, I felt anxious but excited overall. When I arrived at the apartment where I would spend the next 3 month of my life, I was really impressed. The housing was in a really nice area with a historical landmark just down the street. My CA was also very welcoming and friendly. Most of my classes were at the IES Abroad Center, except for my music lesson and orchestra. The teachers were all very friendly and very willing to help, especially my Italian Language professor. I really enjoyed every class I took, and I can say that I learned a lot in each class. Don't expect to be able to coast through the semester just because you're abroad. Overall, I truly had a wonderful time in Milan, and I miss it every day, especially now since I am back at my home university. The memories I have mad in Milan will stay with me and throughout my life.

I can not say that studying abroad was the best time of my life. I can say that I faced more challenging days than easy ones, but it has changed me. In the end, I am glad that I choose to be apart of the music program. I did things that I never even imagine I would do. I preformed at an Italian prison at 9am, a recruitment home for past musical masters, and performed and studied music alongside Italian students. It was also a very nice perk to have been to the Teatro alla Scala for free twice for being in the music program. I was amazing to not only learn and study music, but I was also a great experience to what my peers and what they have studied and practiced throughout the duration of the program.

Studying abroad through IES this past fall in Milan, Italy was one of the best experiences of my life. Although it sounds cliche, studying abroad really does change you for the better. Going to Italy on a plane alone leaving my family and friends behind seemed nerve racking but as soon as I stepped out of the airport into my taxi, I knew I was going to love it there. Milan was such an amazing city to study in; the food was delicious, the people were friendly and the duomo got even more beautiful every time I went to see it. Studying abroad through IES added to my experience even more. I was placed in a traditional Italian apartment in a perfect location in the city with the greatest roommates who I grew so close to over the course of the semester. I was also able to bond with my community assistant who acted as a mentor and friend throughout my time in Milan. She was from Italy herself and was able to help my roommates and I adjust to life in a foreign country. The transition from life in the US to life in Italy went very smoothly thanks to all of the resources IES provided us. Throughout my time in Milan I was able to study Italian, History of the Mafia and Fashion and Brand Management as well intern twice a week at a tech startup. Not only was I able to take classes so relevant to my host city, I had the opportunity to work there as well. Overall this experience taught me so much about myself. I have become much more independent, spontaneous and open as a result of this journey. I am so grateful I had such an amazing opportunity to study abroad and I hope to see you soon, Milano!

I attended IES Rome’s Fall program and it was a life changing experience. I had the opportunity to both enrich myself with an engaging and relevant academic curriculum and participate in numerous cultural experiences. These experiences include those orchestrated by the IES program as well as things I did independently with both the American and Italian friends I met through the program. Housing was provided in the cost, as well as spacious, regularly cleaned, and well located. The classes were admittedly less rigorous than those I was accustomed to at my US university, but were nevertheless enjoyable, interesting, and took advantage of the program’s location to incorporate excursions to relevant sites around Rome and Italy. For example, I studied Classical Roman architecture in the ruins of the Roman Forum and Renaissance art at Florence’s Uffizi, both with program classes. The Florence trip was a daytrip organized by the program for the class, and such trips are fairly common in IES Rome classes. They were certainly a highlight of the academics. The professors and other staff were almost entirely Italians with very good English skills. Language was never a problem in class. Furthermore, they were universally approachable and friendly. The program director would invite me into his office and recommend sites of historical or artistic interest to visit over the weekends. The language instruction was also of high quality. I went in knowing next to no Italian, but I left with a decent level of proficiency, enough to join Italian friends for Italophone dinners. The program housed many of its students, including those of us in my apartment, with local Italian students. This was probably the best part of the program. In making friends with my Italian roommate, I was exposed to a host of cultural events, attitudes, and quirks that would be otherwise inaccessible. This was radically different than being a tourist or a simple visitor. With this program, I was able to live in Italy like a true Italian!

IES -Study in Tuscany is a great program if you are looking for a smaller group program to get immersed in Tuscan culture while taking classes with less than 10 classmates. You will get the chance to live in the center of Siena, learn about authentic Italian culture and cuisine, while making friends not only of your program but with people from the local community. Siena is known for its great university, so it is considered a "college city" within Italy. Classes in IES are in English and language classes are available for all levels. I highly recommend taking one course at the local university as well. You can have the chance to make friends outside of your program too! Siena is more of a medieval town rather than a big city, still during the end of the spring and at beginning of the fall there are a lot of tourists who visit the city, but still remains authentic comparing to the metropolitan cities in Italy. I would totally recommend this program if you want a break from our busy life style we have at our American universities, and want to experience a little bit of a more relaxing and fun time while still having the chance to learn a lot about Italian language, culture and history. People are super friendly with exchange students, in fact the Erasmus network organizes activities like wine tours, tournaments, parties and other extracurricular activities to have a lot of fun after class or during the weekends. Although Siena is considered a predominant catholic place, there are several options for Christians, Jewish, Buddhist and Muslim students. You just need to ask the program coordinator for information. If you practice a sport there is a center outside the city walls where you can find a swimming pool and a soccer field. The university offer the students a basketball court but again, you will need to ask for a specific information of time and rules of usage when you get there. If you are a going out type of person, there are bars opened during the week and weekends. Night clubs like Vanilla and Sotto Sopra are available outside the city wall. The Erasmus network organizes some parties with buses that take you there and back - with special discounts for students. If you prefer to just hang out with friends Piazza del Campo is a great place to just sit, have a conversation and enjoy the night. The experience of going abroad is definitely what you do with it and up to you to have a great time. IES Siena provides you all what you need to have the time of your life and it is indeed up to you how you get to live it! I highly recommend this program, I had no regrets of all the things I have learned and lived there.

How can I begin to describe my semester abroad? This was by far the best semester of my life. There's just something about moving to Italy for 4 months that changes everything you ever thought you knew. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely terrifying to pack up your whole life into two suitcases and move across the world, but in my case I had a friend to go with, which made a world of difference. And from the beginning, I knew it would be worth it because of the wonderful people at IES Abroad. From the beginning, everything was laid out in easy to understand terms. From the predeparture checklist, to help with the Visa, to personal emails from the staff, I was nothing but impressed with IES. Once I got to Italy, the IES Milan staff put together a week long orientation that helped to create the friendships that have lasted past my time in the program, inspire confidence in the program, and ensure that I made the correct decision. But, beside all of that, the bets part of IES Milan were the professors. I took 5 classes in Milan and I couldn't wait to go to each of them each week. I was pushed harder than I ever have and it absolutely paid off. Another great part of this program were the field trips. I participated in the trips to Parma and to Sienna. During these trips I got to know the staff and the students on a more personal level and I got to explore places I never would have thought to go. I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about IES Abroad Milan. I can honestly say my life has been changed for the better because of this program.

When I was first leaving for abroad, I was very nervous about having to start over with many aspects I had already concurred in my home university. Making new friends, becoming comfortable in a new location, and adjusting to a new culture were all things I had done two year prior at my College, and I was dreading having to do it again. Yet, when I got to Milan, throughout the four months I grew more personally than I have ever done before. The program was so welcoming, accommodating, and friendly that making friends and adjusting was quite effortless. Italian culture is very friendly and talkative, so meeting Italians and becoming comfortable within a new culture also did not take that long. Yet, most importantly perhaps, I learned how to be comfortable with myself in such an uncomfortable situation. You will inevitably find yourself having to eat alone, navigate alone, shop alone, and other activities that are customary to do in groups in the US, and you will grow more personally because of these experiences. I think that is one of the most important aspects of study abroad, and other than IES's incredible support and academics, the opportunity to grow within a foreign and uncomfortable environment is priceless.

As a physic and music double major, this semester abroad in Milan allowed me to put a lot of time and focus into the Music side which I don't usually get to spend a lot of time on in my home college. I could practice my saxophone every week while receiving instruction in classes in specific topics which were not always offered by my home college. On top of the refreshing experience of focusing only on my music, I was also able to immerse myself in Milan, Italian culture, and Italy as a larger whole. Living and commuting at the heart of the city ensured that I was able to interact with the local community everyday and also made travelling to other cities extremely easy. I will forever be grateful for the time I was able to spend this semester playing music and exploring culture!

As a conservatory student, studying abroad can be a challenge. There are many fewer options in terms of viable study abroad programs. Thankfully, I found IES Abroad Milan's music program and I received such an incredible musical education in my semester here. Not only was the academic perspective excellent (I learned so much in my History of Italian Opera course), but there were also ample performance opportunities in the form of both concerts and opera pastiche. The caliber of the instructors was extremely high. Additionally, the program provided us with complimentary tickets to La Scala when possible, which enriched our musical education enormously by allowing us to observe performances at the highest professional and musical levels. I have made so many lasting professional and personal connections through my time at IES Abroad, and I cannot recommend this program highly enough!

Before going abroad, I had an almost instinctual draw towards Italy. Their seemingly rich culture pared with a complicated history, called me towards the rustic city of Siena in particular. No wonder too since as a history major, I was enthralled when the courses taught took me out of the classroom and in to the city. In Siena, topics were never taught strictly with theories and lectures. Most of the courses I took were centralized around the history of Italy. So if a subject ever came up in one of my courses which was hard to comprehend, my professors would walk us around the city and explain. I learned in the best way possible -- by simply being present in my new home. Siena made me feel safe and comfortable while also stretching my limits. Unlike some larger Italian cities, the Sienese people mainly spoke Italian. Everyday new I encountered new challenges, but some obstacles became a daily occurrence. For example a challenge I faced, which I am sure many of you will, was during my walk to classes. Every morning I had to stumble my way through ordering a cappuccino with my broken attempts at speaking the language. But that is where I grew. I went in to this experience with a very, very limited background in Italian, but IES required that I take an Italian course and I came out of it much more confident in myself and in this experience. If you choose Siena as your study abroad destination (which I would highly recommend) get to know the town. Get to know the locals, and get to know what they are passionate about. Especially make sure to familiarize yourself with the Palio. Believe me, you will not regret it. All in all, go, and take in as much as you can. Because through this IES program, Siena is your classroom.

My time studying Milan, Italy with IES Abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Many music students don't think study abroad is possible due to the rigid course programs set by their home schools, but IES abroad Milan- Music: Tradition and Innovation makes it possible by being extremely customizable. I was able to work one on one with an Italian professor toward fulfilling a music theory credit required by my home university and got a unique perspective while doing so. Not only does the IES Abroad Milan staff do a great job of finding amazing teachers to work with their music students, but they do an amazing job of placing students in great living situations. There are options to live with Italian host families or to stay in beautiful apartments, most of which are right in the middle of the city. I personally stayed with an extraordinary family that took me in as one of their own and taught me how to live life at a slower pace and how to truly appreciate the small things in life. If you are a music student interested in studying abroad, I would say definitely look into IES Abroad Milan- Music: Tradition and Innovation as they can offer a customizable experience that surrounds you with knowledgeable professors in a city that is rich with music and culture where you can further invest in your future as a musician.

In Spring of 2018, I had the unbelievably fortunate experience of studying abroad for four months in Milan, Italy. While there, I took music lessons, an intensive Italian course, and a course called "Media, TV, and Communication in Milan." The course included field studies to a TV station, magazine publishing company, and recording studio to gain understanding of local media production. I was able to pursue both of my major interests in a beautiful country rich with history and opportunity. I learned so much from my music professors, which I will take back home to apply in practice. I lived in an apartment with 6 other people which was cramped at times, but the apartment was very nice and in a perfect location to easily get to class. Over the course of my time in Italy, I learned conversational Italian language skills by communicating with locals in their native tongue. I had the chance to demonstrate independence and immersion in a new culture through living in downtown Milan and taking classes from Italian teachers. My music classes encouraged teamwork and cooperation in spite of language barriers. Overall, the experience has definitely changed me for the better!

I studied abroad the Summer of 2017 in Siena. IES Siena was amazing - the program coordinators were wonderful, available often and always very helpful. I lived in an apartment with one US roommate and one IES Resident Assistant (we were the only apartment with a live-in RA). The RA was amazing, gave great advice - from the best restaurants in the city to fun day trips away from Siena - and is one of many great friends I made during my time in Siena. The program itself is the perfect combination between classes/schoolwork and culture. You’re in class for a couple hours each day, but have no class on Fridays. As such, you’re given time to explore Siena and visit different cities in Italy. The program really seemed to understand that while you were obviously in Italy to take classes, part of being there was also to learn a new language and culture, so they gave you plenty of time outside of class to do so. Something to keep in mind is that the number of students in the actual program was fairly small - there were only about 12 of us during summer term. Regarding the city of Siena, the city is relatively small compared to Rome or Florence, but the plus side is that it is incredibly safe and the people are some of the most friendly and open I have met during my travels. Siena also has a very unique history and culture, which is amazing to learn about and get to be a part of. As a whole, I can’t say enough good things about IES Siena, and I highly recommend it to anyone thinking of studying abroad there!

My abroad experience with IES abroad Milan - Music: Tradition & Innovation was incredible! I was matched with an amazing host family who immediately made me feel at home and comfortable. I looked forward to eating my host mom's delicious dinners every day and I loved hanging out with my host brothers and their friends. My apartment was in a very convenient location and it was really easy to get everywhere! My commutes to class, to my internship and to choir were a breeze. My classes were interesting (especially the Italian cuisine class I took… yum!) and the professors were very kind and knowledgeable. My vocal instructor was phenomenal and really helped me with my technique. Because I'm music student, I wanted an internship in the field of music. The internship coordinator works really hard to pair you with a company that fits your interests and skill levels. I was able to develop my Italian skills and learn more about the operations of a music organization. The director of the entire IES Milan program is a musician who provides the music students with unique and wonderful opportunities around the city (discounted arts events, performance etc.). I participated in an audition-based choir and even performed in the Duomo of Milan—one of my favorite memories. With IES Milan I was able to do it all: immerse myself in Italian culture and language, make wonderful friends, live in a vibrant city, and travel to 10 countries.

Food, art, fashion, music, business, and so much more! I participated in the IES Abroad Italy Today program during the spring semester of 2016! I lived in a homestay with a family who showed me the Milanese lifestyle. From there on I took a vested interest in getting to know the locals and the city. I made relationships and memories that I cherish everyday. I took classes in Italian Language, Italian Design, Environmental Sustainability & Social Innovation, and Transcultural Psychology. The classroom excursions were an experiential way to learn, observe, and apply what we were learning from the classroom. For instance, in Italian Design my classmates and I designed our own lamp in a lab. We truly put theory into practice. Even more so I enjoyed attending cultural events throughout the program. I took part in a cultural language exchange program at IES Abroad Milan. This particular program was perfect for me because I wanted to learn and practice my Italian speaking skills. In time, I began speaking the language with more confidence as I immersed myself into the culture and practiced the language with friends, locals, and my host family. The best part about studying abroad is that you learn to expect the unexpected. You come to live with more responsibility yet with the opportunity to make what you want out of your experiences. When learning happened outside the classroom, my world view and desk view became one in the same.

I spent the fall semester studying abroad in Milan, Italy and had an unforgettable experience. The best decision I made in regards to my time abroad was living with a host family. IES has a great group of families in Milan that they work with and do an amazing job matching up the families with students. My family was so welcoming, helpful and kind. Living with an Italian family gave me such a great opportunity to really experience the culture and language first hand rather than just observe it. I was able to listen to them use the language at home. My home-stay is definitely the part of abroad I miss most. By the end of my semester, I had gained a second family and formed friendships with them that will last forever.

Studying in Milan really created some of the best memories of my life. Because I did a homestay, I was completely immersed in the culture and had little trouble learning the language. IES did an amazing job placing me with my family and providing a meaningful experience. Without the program, for instance if I did direct enrolment, I would have been lost and wouldn't have found my way around Italy and Europe. I played lots of violin with both students from the States and from Italy, and learned some really amazing stuff from my teacher who taught at the Civica Scuola in Milan.

I spent my fall semester of the year 2016 with IES Abroad Rome, and it was incredible. There were many obstacles that I immediately encountered upon arrival. I had never travelled outside of the United States of America before, so the sense of disorientation was jarring and frightening. I was thrilled to have the opportunity, but I felt so overwhelmed that I worried I wasn't going to enjoy being abroad. Luckily, I was in the hands of a caring faculty well-accustomed to nervous students like myself. IES had a support system for me already set in place; I could talk to professors, administrative officers, and the ever-lovable ISCs (Italian-Speaking Student Companions). The IES Abroad Rome's Program also took us on a few field trips, both around Rome and out to other Italian cities like Siena and Pompeii. While there is strengths in numbers, sometimes I wished I had gone by myself to these places - later on, during Fall Break, I did. That being said, IES works really hard to organize trips with guides and information a solo traveller wouldn't otherwise have access to. Did you know, for example, that there's a saying among the people in Siena that says the curly-haired woman is capricious? With each curl, our tour guide explained, she changes her mind. As someone with a headful of curls, I was at first offended, but then I changed my mind. Cultural immersion is not, I've decided, something that any school or program can enforce. IES gave me all of the tools - Italian language courses, social time with the ISCs, and my homestay option. I chose to take advantage of those, even though I could have only spoken to or hung out with other American students. I had only taken two Italian language classes at my home university, and that was a year before I decided to go abroad to Rome - I basically knew nothing. Upon returning, I have since tested into a junior/senior standing translation course. That improvement is something IES and I accomplished together.