International Field Study Overview – Milan, Italy
Day 1 – OCTOBER 19: Depart from the DJP or the Welland Campus with your travel group, bags packed and ready for the adventure of a lifetime! Travel from Toronto to Montreal for a brief layover before departing to Milan, Italy. This is a long travel day. Be prepared with snacks and water!
Included Meals: Meals are included on the flight from Montreal to Milan
Dress Code: Casual
Day 2 – OCTOBER 20: Ciao! Welcome to Italy! After collecting your luggage, hop on the bus to Milan. Once you arrive, get ready for a delightful group lunch to fuel up for the day ahead. Then, embark on an exciting, guided tour of the local area around your accommodations. Milan is a treasure trove of attractions, museums, shops, and restaurants, all waiting to be discovered. As the sun sets, the evening is yours to savour a delicious dinner and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Milan. Enjoy your first free night in this magnificent city! Mangia, mangia!
Included Meals: Lunch
Dress Code: Casual
Day 3 – OCTOBER 21: First on the agenda is a tour of The Canadian Consulate of Milan, where you’ll learn about the essential services they offer, from passport renewals to emergency assistance. Next, enjoy some free time for lunch, sampling the local cuisine at your leisure. Then, get ready to dive into Milan’s rich history and vibrant culture on a comprehensive city tour. Marvel at iconic landmarks like Piazza del Duomo, and the historic Sforzesco Castle.
The evening is yours to savour a leisurely dinner and reflect on the day’s adventures. Enjoy the magic of Milan!
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual
Day 4 – OCTOBER 22: Your first stop is Opendot, a dynamic hub of creativity and technology. This multidisciplinary research and innovation center is a hotbed for social innovation and cutting-edge ideas. After soaking in the inspiring atmosphere at Opendot, take a break for some free time, lunch and savour some local flavours. Post-lunch, prepare to be awestruck as you tour the magnificent Duomo di Milano. This Gothic masterpiece, one of the world’s largest and most intricate cathedrals, will leave you spellbound with its grandeur and detail. Following this enriching cultural experience, return to the hotel for a relaxing evening. Enjoy a leisurely dinner and reflect on the day’s adventures in this remarkable city.
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual
Day 5 – OCTOBER 23: The morning is yours to explore at your own pace—whether it’s strolling through charming streets, visiting a local café, or indulging in some retail therapy. Take your time and enjoy lunch wherever your taste buds lead you.
In the afternoon, regroup for an exciting consulting project onsite, where you’ll dive into real-world challenges and collaborate on innovative solutions. After a productive session, the evening is all yours to unwind and relish in Milan’s vibrant nightlife, savor a leisurely dinner, and soak up the city’s enchanting atmosphere. Enjoy every moment of your Milanese adventure!
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual
Day 6 – OCTOBER 24: The group will visit the Energy Dome, a groundbreaking company transforming the future with its innovative technology for large-scale and long-duration energy storage. Once you’ve absorbed the insights from the Energy Dome, it’s time to enjoy free time and lunch at a local eatery of your choice. After recharging, prepare for an exhilarating Stadium Tour of AC Milan Football Club! Known officially as Associazione Calcio Milan, this legendary club is not only one of the most successful in Italy but also a historic giant in the football world. Pro Tip – don’t say “soccer”. Indulge in a relaxed dinner at a delightful restaurant and immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant culture. Free time is fun time!
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual
Day 7 – OCTOBER 25: Your first stop: join your group as you head out to experience the authentic flavours of Italy with an immersive cooking class in Milan. Guided by expert local chefs, you’ll learn to prepare traditional Italian dishes using fresh, local ingredients, from handmade pasta to classic desserts. Next up is free time for lunch. After lunch, you will experience “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most revered masterpieces of the Renaissance, painted between 1495 and 1498 in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. As the sun sets, the evening is all yours to explore.
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Business Casual
Day 8 – OCTOBER 26: Step away from the lively streets of Milan and journey into the picturesque Italian countryside. Your destination is the beautifully preserved town of Brescia, nestled in the heart of the Franciacorta wine region. Once a serene retreat for Milanese aristocrats and industrialists, Franciacorta is now famed for producing what many consider Italy’s finest sparkling wine. As you explore Brescia’s charming streets and scenic vineyards, enjoy the freedom to indulge in local cuisine at your own pace, with free time for lunch and dinner. This is your chance to experience the elegance and flavour of Italy’s countryside in a truly unforgettable way.
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Casual
Day 9 – OCTOBER 27: Afterward, take advantage of free time for last-minute sightseeing or shopping, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere one last time. As your adventure draws to a close, it’s time to bid Italy farewell, leaving you with a heart full of memories—of delectable cuisine, fine wine, and unforgettable experiences. With a long travel day ahead, ensure you’re prepared with snacks and water to keep you comfortable on the journey home. Safe travels!
Included Meals: Breakfast at the Hotel
Dress Code: Casual
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Disclaimers: Be World Ready does its best to execute the itinerary as outlined above, however, all elements are subject to change based on availability or requirement to adapt due to circumstances outside of our control. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to research the entry requirements to the destination countries visited per their nationality and vaccination status.
* Price per student is in Canadian Dollars and reflects the Be World Ready (BWR) grant which has been applied to the total trip cost to heavily subsidize the rate per person. To qualify for the full value of the BWR grant, students must be enrolled in, and successfully complete the Be World Ready course (learn about the BWR course by clicking here). Assignments, travel requirements, and expectations will be clearly communicated by BWR staff prior to the start of term. Students who do not successfully complete the course risk not meeting the grant requirements, which could result in being charged back the full value of the grant (up to $6000, depending on the IFS). Please review the Grant Requirements section of the IFS webpage.