Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore
Location: Europe, Italy
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

The program offers students a unique opportunity to experience design within the rich cultural and historical context of Milan, where everyday life is infused with aesthetic and functional excellence. Milan is renowned internationally as a design hub, featuring the Milan Design Week, where local and international artists can showcase their products in hundreds of showrooms in the heart of the city.

By engaging directly with local design practices, traditions, and professionals, students will broaden their creative perspectives and develop a deeper, more global understanding of product design. Note that this program is geared towards product design majors, but all majors who are interested and willing to engage in the creative design process are welcome to apply. 

This is a rolling admission program. Early applications are encouraged.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2026 03/15/2026 06/21/26 07/30/26

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early. 

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress) and the short statement.

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport will be traveling to Italy under the Schengen Visa waiver program and do not require a travel visa for this program, and GEO is unable to assist US citizens in obtaining a visa. If you are not a US Citizen: Notify your GEO Advisor. Students who are not US citizens should contact the Italian consulate in their country of residence about visa requirements, no matter the duration of the program of study.

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

Students will enroll in the following course: 

  • PD 488: Italian Design Lecture (4 credits)
    Approved as an upper-division elective or studio requirement for Product Design

     

  • PD 488: Italian Design Studio (4 credits)
    Approved as an upper-division elective or studio requirement for Product Design

Courses may also count toward Art, Architecture, or other design majors, pending departmental approval. Note that all courses will be taught in English, and may include guest lectures from local experts. 

 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Erdem Selek  - Professor Selek began his career as a product designer working on projects ranging from domestic appliances to naval architecture in Germany and Turkey. He taught industrial design for five years at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, before moving to the United States. Selek studied at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, participated in an exchange program at Ecole Supérieure d'Art et de Design de Reims in France, and earned a master's degree in industrial product design at Istanbul Technical University in Turkey.

Hale Selek - Professor Selek has also taught at Massey University in New Zealand and in the School of Art and Design at Auckland University of Technology. Prior to that she was an industrial designer with Delta Marine Engineering in Istanbul and a product designer with MG Design GMBH in Stuttgart, Germany. She earned a bachelor of industrial design from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. Selek studied at the Ecole Supérieure d'Art et de Design de Reims and earned a master of science in industrial product design from Istanbul Technical University.

Housing Description

While in Milan, students will stay in safe and vetted shared housing located in a picturesque banister house just a few steps away from the canals at the heart of the Navigli neighborhood. During excursions, students will stay in contemporary shared housing within walking distance to the train station and other sites. 

Budget and Price

Product Design in Milan

2026 Summer

GEO Program Fees
UO Study Abroad Fee $500
Program Tuition $7,630
Housing & Included Meals $3,270
UO Insurance $144
Estimated Additional Expenses
Estimated Airfare from Eugene $1,500
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses $100
Estimated Cost of Acquiring a Passport $150
Estimated Meals $2,460
Estimated Additional Living Expenses $400
Estimated cost of pre-departure physical $50
Total
Sub-Total: GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $10,900
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $4,660
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $15,560

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office." from the Projected Expenses Disclaimers, default value.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
 
Between 90 days and 75 days prior to program start date

Student is responsible for 10% of total GEO program fees
Between 74 days and 60 days prior to program start date

Student is responsible for 25% of total GEO program fees
Between 59 days and 30 days prior to program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Between 29 days and 15 days prior to program start date

Student is responsible for 75% of total GEO program fees
14 days or fewer prior to program start date; or on or after program start date

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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