Discover what ICELD is: our division dedicated to cultural activities for students, educators, and Italian culture enthusiasts, designed to offer an authentic and truly unique Italian experience.
Studying the language and mastering grammar are essential steps, but we believe that the true soul of Italian culture can only be discovered through hands-on, engaging experiences – shaped by the flavors, sounds, and emotions that define our cultural heritage.
ICELD (Italian Culture & Excellence Learning Division) is the division of Centro Studi Italiani devoted to exactly this mission. Through carefully designed and personalized learning paths, we enable our students to integrate more deeply into Italian life while exploring and gaining insight into the many facets of Italy’s extraordinarily rich cultural heritage.
We combine academic and non-academic thematic programs into an immersive journey at the very heart of Italian culture, spanning fields such as fashion and design, cuisine and entrepreneurship, art and music.
Each experience thus becomes a meaningful opportunity for discovery. We organize guided visits, meetings, and excursions, all thoughtfully paired with targeted language lessons, allowing participants to truly experience and appreciate Italy in all its richness.
What programs does ICELD offer?
ICELD offers curated learning paths across a wide range of Italian traditions and cultural fields. For opera lovers, we provide a program dedicated to the Italian operatic repertoire, where students can deepen their Italian with a special focus on diction – a key element in classical vocal performance.
Students will have the chance to challenge themselves through performances, meaningful encounters, and thematic excursions designed to broaden their perspective and spark creativity.
For those passionate about food, we offer an equally engaging journey into Italian culinary tradition, featuring sensory tastings and the discovery of gastronomic practices that reflect the true essence of each region.
Fashion enthusiasts can explore a program centered on artisan tailoring, where we’ll discover traditional sewing and dressmaking techniques, complemented by visits to leading local manufacturing companies.
For lovers of Italian craftsmanship, ICELD also offers a dedicated program with guided visits and hands-on workshops, giving participants the opportunity to watch artisans at work and uncover the secrets behind their creations. We also provide entrepreneurship programs focused on what it means to build a business in Italy, with theoretical sessions, workshops, and company visits.
We also offer a program for aspiring educators, inspired by the most successful educational models. Participants will step into the world of Italian schools and experience innovative teaching approaches firsthand, such as the MOF method.
Finally, ICELD offers an Italian language and culture pathway enriched with practical activities across different areas – designed for learners who want a concrete, engaging way to experience Italian.
Let’s take a closer look at each ICELD program so you can explore opportunities and content in detail and confidently choose the option that best aligns with your goals.
Opera Festival
Centro Studi Italiani was the first Italian institution to introduce a dedicated program for international opera singers. Known as the Opera Festival, this program brings together a range of educational and performance opportunities designed to guide students toward the most authentic expression of Italian opera.
Over the years, our students have performed in concerts, recitals, and full operatic productions set in evocative venues that reflect the beauty and tradition of Italy’s architectural heritage. The Opera Festival also offers the chance to meet renowned figures from the international opera scene, opening the door to inspiring encounters and truly memorable experiences.
For the 2026 Opera Festival season, we present several opportunities aimed at offering a stimulating and well-rounded path through every stage of Italian opera training:
- Nuova Accademia di Lingua e Voce;
- FIO Italia;
- Lingua e Lirica Italiana per la Cina;
- Urbania Opera Studio.
This diverse program offers a wide range of experiences in which students can study opera, perform, and refine their Italian diction – an essential skill for lyrical singing.
In addition to Italian language instruction, ICELD’s opera program includes specialized vocal coaching sessions. Participants will also take part in study trips with guided tours and excursions to cities such as Florence, Assisi, Venice, and Urbino. Highlights include thematic journeys and visits to the Rossini Museum in Pesaro, as well as the opportunity to attend selected performances at the Verona Arena.
A truly unique opportunity to grow artistically and experience the magic of the Italian stage from the spotlight.
Language & Culture Immersion
Our ICELD program “Andiamo!” offers students a truly engaging experience of Italian language and culture.
The program combines morning Italian language lessons with hands-on courses and experiential activities in the afternoons and evenings. These range from Italian cooking and ceramics to cultural visits and activities set in authentic, character-rich locations.
With “Andiamo!”, ICELD aims to immerse students in the Italian way of life, offering meaningful experiences that reflect everyday life, traditions, and the rhythm of the country. At the same time, the program is designed to strengthen each student’s language skills while deepening their understanding of local culture—turning every moment into an opportunity for discovery.
The learning journey also includes lectures, cultural activities, aperitivi, and guided tours across several Italian cities, culminating in a final stay in Rome, where students can fully experience the history and cultural richness of the capital.
Food & Culture
For lovers of the culinary arts, ICELD presents an international program entitled “Tasty Italia”: a learning journey designed to explore Italian gastronomy through hands-on experiences, meetings with local producers and chefs, and thematic excursions that lead straight to the heart of Italy’s flavors. All activities are paired with structured language study, with a specific focus on Italian culinary vocabulary.
The program is designed for students, educators, and food enthusiasts, and is particularly suited to those interested in pursuing a career in the gastronomic sector. Participants will explore regional traditions, sustainable practices, and the “zero-kilometer” (farm-to-table) movement, combining language learning with immersive, real-world experiences.
This ICELD culinary program also includes practical sessions and encounters centered on iconic local products such as truffles, wine, and cheese. Students will take part in cooking classes, guided visits to emblematic culinary destinations, and a dedicated Food Valley Tour in the Modena area.
The course will take place primarily in Urbania and will conclude with a short final excursion to Rome – a unique opportunity to discover, experience, and fully appreciate the richness of Italy’s gastronomic heritage.
Fashion & Craftsmanship
The ICELD program “Hand-made with passion!” is a unique opportunity to explore Italian fashion and craftsmanship from the inside. Students will learn traditional tailoring techniques while immersing themselves in the very essence of Made in Italy.
This pathway blends hands-on experiences with structured language lessons, with a special focus on fashion and art vocabulary. Participants will visit production sites specializing in wool, cashmere, and leather, observing firsthand the craftsmanship behind these precious materials and experiencing the excellence of Italian artisan traditions.
But the journey doesn’t stop there. Students will also have the chance to learn traditional techniques such as tailoring, guado dyeing, and lace-making through practical workshops and experiential sessions.
Participants will work alongside established professionals from the Italian fashion world, gaining insight into the industry and uncovering its behind-the-scenes secrets. The program also includes excursions to Urbino, San Marino/Rimini, Rome, and Florence, as well as a special visit to Brunello Cucinelli.
With this program, ICELD offers a truly distinctive opportunity to build a future in the world of fashion – combining practical experience with direct exposure to Italy’s creative and stylistic industries.
Education Studies
With the program “Inspiring education”, based on successful Northern European educational systems, ICELD offers international students and aspiring educators the opportunity to explore the Italian educational context through a unique learning experience that combines innovative approaches with authentic practices.
At the heart of the program is the MOF – Finnish Organizational Model, an educational framework designed to transform schools into dynamic, inclusive, and harmonious learning environments.
Through full-immersion activities, participants will develop essential soft and hard skills for the educational field – competencies that also prove valuable in everyday life and interpersonal relationships.
Designed primarily for students and future educators, the program includes conversational Italian lessons, sessions with experts from the Italian school system, and days of direct observation at the Istituto Omnicomprensivo della Rovere in Urbania, the national lead school of the MOF network.
The experience is further enriched by organized excursions, including a half-day visit to a nearby city, and concludes with an engaging final stay in Rome, offering participants the chance to fully experience the local culture and atmosphere.
Business & Entrepreneurship
For international students looking to build a future in the Italian business world, ICELD has created a targeted program called “Create Italia”, focused on key sectors such as hospitality, tourism, art, and gastronomy.
This ICELD business pathway combines hands-on workshops, curated itineraries, and company visits with local entrepreneurs. Students will have the opportunity to visit wineries, restaurants, agriturismi, and art galleries within Italy’s small-scale, authentic business environments, gaining first-hand insight into how entrepreneurship works in Italy.
Lessons will blend theory and practice, placing strong emphasis on the value of relationships in the professional world. The program offers concrete, real-life experiences designed to open new doors and create meaningful opportunities for the future.
The program will take place primarily in Urbania, with the exception of excursions, company visits, and a final educational trip to Rome.
Arts & Ceramics
ICELD offers a program designed for lovers of art, craftsmanship, and culture, providing a full immersion into Italy’s rich and vibrant creative landscape. Titled “Creative Fusion”, this pathway allows students to strengthen their spoken Italian, with a particular focus on art-specific vocabulary.
The program features hands-on workshops dedicated to ceramics, jewelry-making, Raku, majolica decoration, and botanical printing. Participants will also meet master artisans and artists who will share their expertise through practical sessions, offering direct learning experiences and creative inspiration.
In addition, ICELD organizes visits to museums and artisanal businesses, giving students the opportunity to experience firsthand the art, culture, and traditions that make Italy truly unique.
Classes will take place primarily in Urbania, with the exception of scheduled excursions and a dedicated weekend in Rome, allowing participants to further explore Italy’s cultural heritage in an inspiring urban setting.
Why enroll in ICELD?
ICELD is the ideal choice for anyone seeking a comprehensive journey into the discovery of Italian culture.
With over 40 years of experience in international education, Centro Studi Italiani has developed strong, long-standing partnerships with cultural institutions and universities, enabling us to offer immersive and highly personalized learning experiences.
Through ICELD, students enjoy an authentic immersion in Italian culture, experiencing firsthand the country’s extraordinary artistic heritage and unique traditions – while simultaneously strengthening their Italian language skills.
Thanks to the wide range of programs and thematic areas available, each student can choose the path that best matches their interests and personal goals, making the experience both engaging and fully customized.
By choosing ICELD, students gain the opportunity to discover Italy from every angle – not only by building solid linguistic and professional skills, but by truly living Italian culture and enjoying an experience that is authentic, enriching, and unforgettable.
