Program Overview
Program Overview
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Popular Subject Areas
Business, Communications & Italian Culture
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Location
Milan
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Host University
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
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Term
Spring 1A 2023
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Program Dates
Jan 29, 2023 - May 27, 2023
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Program Length
Semester
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Application Deadline
Oct 10, 2022
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Forms and Payment Deadline
Oct 15, 2022
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Credit
30 - 36 ECTS Credits
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Eligibility
2.75 Minimum GPA*
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Cost
$15,995
- This session is closed and is no longer accepting applications.
Study Abroad Program Description
The Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore offers a variety of courses related to Business, Communications, International Relations, Italian Language and Culture, Media, and more. This program offers courses taught in English (except for Italian language courses). No Italian language experience is required for this program. All courses are taught by local university faculty. Some courses may require additional fees. Classmates are international students.
Semester 1A vs 1B:
- In the Semester 1A programs, you will take a two-week pre-session Italian course.
- You can also participate in an internship in Milan through the 1A programs. UCSC offers a wide variety of fields and companies to choose from. If you choose to participate in an internship, you are strongly encouraged to take an Italian course. Please note that there is an extra fee with participating in an internship.
Summer:
- The summer program options at UCSC allow you to choose from a variety of subject areas, such as Business, Media and Communications, and Italian Culture. The duration of your summer program and the amount of courses that you will take are dependent on the session.
- Summer 1 takes place in early summer for two weeks. You will take one course
- Summer 1 & 2 takes place from early to mid-summer for four weeks. You will take two courses.
- Summer 1, 2 & 3 takes place from early to late summer for six weeks. You will take three courses.
- Summer 2 takes place in mid-summer for two weeks. You will take one course.
- Summer 2 & 3 takes place from mid to late summer for four weeks. You will take two courses.
- Summer 3 takes place in late summer for two weeks. You will take one course.
Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex
We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
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You must have already completed two semesters of college by the program start date.
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You must be at least 18 years old by the program start date.
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If you have a cumulative GPA below 2.75, you may still be considered for acceptance. You will have to submit one letter of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception

Visa Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities
Academics
Credits
ECTS Credits
30 - 36
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
15 - 18
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
20 - 24
Academic Information
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
- You will be taking between 30 to 36 credits (15 to 18 semester credits) during this session.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
- If you enroll in the Spring 1A program, you will take an intensive lanuage course at the beginning of the program. You will then have the opportunity to take another language course during the semester, but it is not required.
- Courses are offered from the Beginner to Advanced level.
LANGUAGE PLACEMENT
- Enrollment in Italian courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered by the host university. Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you've already completed at your home university.
- We strongly suggest that if you are trying to place into any level of language beyond true beginning, to prepare for the language placement exam by reviewing previous coursework.
COURSE SELECTION
- Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
- Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.
- Course availability is based on enrollment numbers.
- You should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of class cancellations.
SYLLABI
- Requests for sample syllabi can be made to the Italy Program Manager.
COURSE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
- ISA offers course level recommendations for courses listed within the International Curriculum. Please note that the course level recommendations are based on the Cattolica's course level recommendations and course codes. International Curriculum course codes at the Cattolica are made up of a sequence of letters and numbers. The code starts with four letters which identify the area of study to which the course is associated. The remainder of the course code is made up of three numbers that reflect the level of the course:
- 100-199 Lower-level, first-year course
- 200-299 Lower-level, second year course
- 300-399 Upper-level, third-year course
- 400-499 Upper-level course
- These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisers and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.
TRANSCRIPTS
- Upon program completion, you will receive a transcript issued directly from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC). Depending on the type of course (ie. courses with international students or courses with locals), the transcripts from the UCSC will reflect contact hours and/or ECTS credits.
COURSE CREDIT
- Credits earned vary according to the policies of your home institution, and credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university.
- According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, you must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by your home and host institutions, for the duration of the program.
Please Note: The courses below reflect the most current list of courses released by the host university. Please refer to this list when completing your pre-registration form. Also note that courses are always subject to change.
Courses
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Course Disclaimer
- Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations
Support & Funding
Funding Your ISA Program
Wondering how you’ll fund your program? ISA’s got you covered! If you receive financial aid for your home university, you will likely be able to use those funds for study abroad too. The first step is usually speaking with your home university. Check out the steps for using financial aid here.
Need to know how much to budget for a term abroad? Take a look at the additional expenses you might expect, depending on your program.
As an ISA participant, you have the opportunity to apply for scholarships and grants that can be applied directly to assist with your study abroad programs. We offer over $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants each year. To see what opportunities are available, visit the scholarships and grants page.
View all Funding OptionsHousing
ISA Housing provides the opportunity for you to experience aspects of the Italian lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor of Italy. All ISA apartments are conveniently located along public transit routes with travel times to the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore ranging between 20 and 40 minutes. There are differences in culture and lifestyle between life in Italy and the U.S. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility. With this in mind, you can become a true Milanese!
We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations; however, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Apartment
The ISA Milan program includes comfortable housing in shared, fully-furnished apartments. There are generally one or two student apartment units per building and neighboring residents are typically middle-class Italian families who own their apartment. Most ISA apartments have 2-3 bedrooms, lounge/living room, kitchen and bathroom(s). Bedrooms are typically double-occupancy and each apartment is equipped with basic furnishings and supplies, including one single bed per student, bed linens, a closet/clothing storage space, basic cookware and kitchenware, a table and chairs, and furnished sitting area. Many apartment units include a laundry facility in house or on-site. While apartments are standardized in terms of basic amenities, they can vary greatly in terms of both aesthetics and proximity to the university. All apartments are same-sex, non-smoking environments. Meals and laundry service are not included. *A $250 refundable security deposit will be charged to students living in ISA arranged housing. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the case of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Independent Housing
You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you'll receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. *All housing assignments are based on space available and student responses on the Housing Questionnaire.
You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
ISA excursions allow you to explore the diverse, distinct, and gorgeous landscape of Italy that you may not be able to visit on your own. The destinations shown below are a sample of some of the possibilities, which are finalized in the time leading up to the start of your program.

Florence & Verona
First, you'll visit Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Visitors have every reason to be captivated by Verona's charm and sophistication. You’ll enjoy the view from Juliet's balcony as well as visit one of the largest and best-preserved Roman Arenas in existence. The Arena also is home to many festivals throughout the year. Don’t forget to leave a love letter on the wall of Juliet’s house!
Next, explore Florence, the "Cradle of the Renaissance." You'll take guided tours of art museums, enjoy views of the Ponte Vecchio, and wander through the central square to marvel at Brunelleschi's towering Duomo and Ghiberti's golden Gates of Paradise. Spend the afternoon walking through the bustling San Lorenzo market where you can find everything from pasta and vegetables to purses, belts, and shoes.

Lake Como
Acclaimed as the most beautiful of the Italian lakes, Lake Como has attracted visitors from around the world for centuries and is known as a top destination for the rich and famous. You'll become enchanted by its charming, mountainous shoreline and sun-kissed natural beauty. The forked lake is one of the deepest in Europe (410 meters). Known for its grand picturesque villas, castles, and vineyards, Lake Como provides something special for everyone.

Cultural Activities in Milan
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Milan. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Milan special.
These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included visit to the Duomo, tours of museums (La Scala, Leonardo da Vinci, etc.) and San Siro stadium, a Flamenco Show at Piccolo Teatro, and viewing flamingos at Villa Invernizzi.