Semester study abroad students at NABA have the opportunity to delve into design fields under the mentorship of leading industry professionals in the design capital of Milan. SAI NABA students choose 4 to 6 elective courses, earning 12 – 18 credits, from the following design-based departments: Fashion Design and Marketing, Graphic and Visual Design, Interior Design, and Product Design.
Application open until: May 15, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- Live and learn in the fashion and design capital of the world.
- Learn under the mentorship of leading industry professionals.
- Hands-on practical courses.
Program Dates
Late August 2025 – Mid December 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Courses & Registration
NABA courses run Monday – Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm. Students complete their course registration during the SAI application process by selecting their primary course choices. Course schedules are confirmed 3 weeks prior to the program start. Students receive their official schedule (with days and times) at orientation.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| May 15 2025 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| May 1 2025 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| May 15 2025 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| May 29 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| June 1 2025 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| June 15 2025 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| July 1 2025 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00 am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| Coming soon |
NABA Academic Orientation NABA orientation includes academic policies and information, as well as opportunities for students to get to know each other and meet professors. |
| Coming soon |
Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
Classes End |
| Coming soon |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
Coming soon |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
Coming soon |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Milan |
$900 | $1,800 |
| Visa Visa and Permit to Stay fees. |
$250 | $275 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees | $25 / course | $50 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$600/ month | $1,000 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $250 / month | $350 / month |
| Transportation within Milan Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $250 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Event
SAI welcomes students to Milan with lunch at a hidden gem in the historic city center of Milan.
Duomo Rooftop and Milan Walking Tour
Students admire the architecture of the spire-laden Duomo up close as they walk among the buttresses and statues and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the rooftop. Following the tour, the group discovers the fashion district including the Galleria, Montenapoleone and La Scala.
Gallery Visit to Fondazione Prada and Bar Luce
Students will visit Fondazione Prada, which offers a captivating journey through contemporary art and architecture. This cultural institution showcases innovative exhibitions, installations, and performances by both established and emerging artists. Bar Luce, a whimsical cafe designed by filmmaker Wes Anderson Bar Luce and it exudes retro charm with its pastel hues, vintage furniture, and quirky decor.
Day Trip to Turin
There’s a whiff of Paris in Turin’s elegant tree-lined boulevards and echoes of Vienna in its stately art nouveau cafes, but make no mistake – this elegant, Alp-fringed city is filled with everything that makes Italy charming. The industrious Torinese gave the world its first saleable hard chocolate and Italy’s most iconic car, the Fiat. Students will spend a day discovering this royal and industrial city.
Wine Tasting
Students will meet at a Milanese Enoteca to learn about Italian wines. A local sommelier will give students a background to each wine, which will then be paired with suitable appetizers.
Day Trip to Lake Como
Students visit the beautiful and serene Lake Como, which promises a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and culinary delights. Students will wander through narrow cobblestone alleys lined with quaint shops and will be able to visit one of the lake’s most loved lakeside villas.
Pirelli HangarBiccoca Gallery Visit
Students experience the Pirelli HangarBiccoca, a contemporary art space in the Biccoca district of Milan. Formerly a factory that manufactured train cars, the complex is comprised of various areas: reading room, bookshop, cafe, and three exhibition spaces which highlight the original architecture of the factory. One of these rooms is dedicated to a site-specific permanent installation by Anselm Kiefer (‘Seven Heavenly Palaces’). Built over 9 years, this is a staggering piece of work and an absolute must see.
Mindfulness and Clay Moulding
Students will experience a serene and enriching journey of mindfulness and creativity at a small local studio. Throughout the session, students will have the opportunity to pause and reflect on their experience and take home their clay creation as a tangible reminder of their time in Milan.
Farewell Event: Campari Tour & Aperitivo
Students tour the Campari headquarters and “toast” to the end of a successful term abroad.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, students studying in Italy for 91 days or more are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Depending on the consulate, students will either mail in their student visa application or appear in person to present their application to the consulate. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in preparing for the appointment; SAI Student Visa Consulting is part of the SAI 360 Services included in the program fee. SAI Student Visa Processing Service is available for select consulates only, for an additional fee.