Learning Abroad Center
Siena Cathedral at dusk

IES Italy

Europe
Study Abroad Center
University Study

Choose from programs in Milan, a center for business and fashion, Rome, Italy's bustling and ancient capital, or Siena, a small city known for it's Tuscan charm and cuisine. 

Apply to Program

Program Details

Location icon
Location
Milan, Rome, or Siena, Italy
Term icon
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Summer Session
Housing icon
Housing
Apartment
Homestay
Languages Taught In icon
Languages Taught In
English
Italian
Sponsor
Sponsor
IES

Program Eligibility

Student Type icon}
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year icon
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA Requirement icon
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisite icon
Language Prerequisite
No Language Prerequisite

Events & Info Sessions

There are currently no events for this program. Explore more events on our events page.

About

One of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most reputable study abroad providers, IES is a Chicago, IL-based, not-for-profit organization that enrolls more than 5,000 students annually, offering quality study abroad programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America.

IES Italy has program offerings in Rome, Milan, and Siena. Students can choose between program options in various disciplines that include coursework, internships, excursions, and other inclusions. Explore the Academics tab for more information. 

Housing & Meals

Across all three locations, students may have the option to live in an apartment, residence hall, or with a host family. Explore housing options on IES's website or click into your program of interest on the Academics tab. Once you have applied to your program, you will choose your housing preferences and have the option to request a roommate. 

Program Structure

IES programs typically operate as a study center model and occasionally offer options to study at local universities depending on the program. Explore the program options below for more information. 

This is an affiliate program. You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies for more information.

Program Options

Choose from one of the thematic tracks below to explore coursework and program features. 

Semester / Academic Year Programs

Students should plan to take 15 credits during the semester or 30 for the academic year. 

Milan

Rome

Siena

Summer Programs

Students can take a 3-credit internship in addition to coursework. 

Milan

Rome

Siena

Dates Details

Visit your affiliate's website for program dates and application deadlines.

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides a pre-departure orientation(s) in addition to the orientation offered by your affiliate program team. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
  • LAC Affiliate Orientation (live Zoom session): UofM-specific information will be covered (academic planning, finances, etc.). Details on the LAC affiliate orientation will be sent to you via email.
  • Affiliate Provider Orientation: This orientation will cover program-specific information. Your affiliate provider will invite you to a pre-departure orientation leading up to your departure.

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

How to Calculate the Total Program Fee

Affiliate Program Fee plus APAAC plus International Health Insurance minus Affiliate Fee Reduction equals Total program fee

To calculate your total program fee

Find your Affiliate program fee

For more specific information about fees, visit the IES website.

Add APAAC

Refer to the Affiliate Program Fees. Follow instructions on that page to determine your APAAC.

Add International Health Insurance

You will be billed approximately $2/day for your international health insurance.

Subtract Affiliate Fee Reduction

Visit the Affiliate Program Fees to determine the fee reduction you receive for being a University of Minnesota student.

What Is the APAAC?

Students participating on affiliated programs are charged a program fee that is inclusive of the affiliate's program fee, University of Minnesota Advising, Placement, Academic, and Administrative Costs (APAAC), and international health insurance. The APAAC covers:

  • Application processing
  • Advising services, orientation
  • Course registration
  • Grade transfer and posting for resident credit
  • Program billing and assistance with financial aid (when applicable)

Based on these additional services and benefits, the total program fee may be higher than the affiliate's published program fee.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Each of our affiliated programs awards its own array of scholarships. While many are need-based, others are based on merit, location, academic area, or diversity criteria. Explore your options within specific affiliates' scholarship pages.

Flight & Deposit Advance

The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

If your program and term does not appear in the drop-down list of available programs, select ‘IES—Other Programs Not Listed Here’ and complete the application item ‘Affiliate Program Information’ found in your application checklist.

Complete

In addition to completing the LAC application, submit to IES:

  • IES Online Application

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Once both applications are complete, we can electronically complete the Home School Authorization form on your IES Application.

Next Steps

  1. Log in to the LAC application portal and select the program and term you plan to participate in. 
  2. Submit items in your LAC application checklist. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by our program team. If nominated for participation, the LAC will contact the affiliate's staff to notify them of your status.
  3. Complete the affiliate program's application requirements as applicable.
  4. You will be notified of admission by the affiliate. You'll then be admitted by the LAC and this will be reflected in your LAC application checklist. 
  5. Once ready, confirm your spot on the program with both the LAC and affiliate. From here, you'll be provided guidance by the LAC and affiliate on preparing for your upcoming experience! 

P.S. Do not pay the affiliate’s confirmation deposit, only the LAC's deposit as outlined on our Billing page. The affiliate accepts the LAC’s deposit as indication of confirmation.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Molly Green at [email protected], or call at 612.625.6076.

Contact Program Alum

Andy S.—Global Studies, 2026