Vocational design exchange in Italy: how to help your child discover the ideal career

The city that hosts the most important Design Week in the world and houses renowned industrial design, fashion and architecture studios has become the ideal destination for students to discover if design is truly their passion. Studying design in Milan provides an immersion in an environment that lives and breathes creativity on a daily basis.

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How to identify signs of a vocation in design

Before considering a vocational exchange, note some behaviors that may indicate an aptitude for design:

Keen observation of the surrounding world: young people with a vocation for design often notice details that go unnoticed by others. They comment on colors, shapes, spaces, and proportions in everyday life.

Easy to solve problems visually: prefer to draw mind maps, diagrams or diagrams to organize ideas. They also like to redesign spaces and environments.

Natural interest in different art forms: they don't necessarily know how to draw perfectly, but they are curious about photography, architecture, fashion, or graphic design.

Critical thinking about functionality: they question why certain things work in a certain way and propose intuitive improvements for products or spaces.

Ease with technology and digital creativity: show interest in design apps, games with creative elements, or digital creative platforms.

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Why Milan is the ideal destination to discover a vocation in design

Milan isn't just an Italian city. It is the world capital of design, where tradition and innovation meet every day. For young people exploring their creative abilities, there is no more inspiring environment.

The heart of design innovation: the city is home to companies like Cassina, Marazzi, Alessi and hundreds of studios that define global trends. Studying here means living daily with professionals who shape the future of global design.

Design Week and international events: Milan hosts the biggest design events on the planet every year. During the exchange, students have privileged access to exhibitions, lectures, and networking that only take place in this creative center.

Unique educational infrastructure: Raffles Milano - International Design Institute, partner of the program, offers laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technology and teachers who are designers active in the international market.

Multicultural learning environment: students from 22 different countries participate in the programs in Milan, creating an international network of contacts and perspectives on global design.

Unlike two traditional high school programs, vocational exchange offers a much more focused and practical experience.

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How does the design program in Milan work

The Sporttech program in partnership with Raffles Milano offers an intensive two-week experience for young people aged 15 to 18 interested in discovering their vocation in design.

Balanced structure between theory and practice:

• 15 hours of theoretical learning
• 15 hours of practical laboratories
• Creation of real interior design and product design projects

Two main specialties:

Interior Design: students learn fundamental concepts of interior design through practical projects. They create their own designs under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Product Design: focus on the development of functional and aesthetically appealing products. Young people work on creating real prototypes using current technologies.

International academic recognition: the program offers up to 4 university credits recognized by the European Credits Transfer and Accumulation System, facilitating future admission to European universities.

For young people who are still defining their area of interest, it is also worth discovering others exchange options for career change available in different countries.

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Practical experiences that define vocations

Visits to the Milanese Design District: students get to know showrooms of the main Italian design brands, understanding how the professional creative chain works.

ADI Museum - Museum of Italian Design: immersion in the history of Italian design, from classics to contemporary trends, offering a historical and futuristic perspective on the area.

Lectures with industry leaders: guest speakers who are active designers in the market share real experiences and trends in the sector.

International networking: coexistence with students from different countries creates a valuable network of contacts for future professional opportunities.

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Benefits beyond vocational discovery

Professional portfolio: at the end of the two weeks, each student has specific projects to present in future academic or professional applications.

Mastery of professional tools: hands-on learning with software and equipment used by professional designers in the international market.

Global market view: understanding how design works in different cultures broadens students' perspective on career possibilities.

Development of personal autonomy: living alone in another country accelerates the maturation and independence of young people.

This international experience could open doors for future higher education programs in Europe, especially for those who wish to build a career abroad.

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How parents can support vocational discovery

Regular conversations about interests: regularly ask what arouses the most curiosity in your child, observing patterns of interest in creative activities.

Provide varied experiences: visit museums, design exhibitions and decoration fairs. Observe reactions and comments during these activities.

Encourage practical projects at home: support small creative projects, from bedroom redesign to creating decorative or functional objects.

Search design professions together: watch documentaries about famous designers, read about different areas of design, and talk to industry professionals.

Consider preparatory programs: drawing courses, design software, or workshops can help confirm interest before the exchange.

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Signs that the exchange was successful

Clarity about preferred specialization: young people return knowing if they prefer product design, interior design or other related areas.

Motivation to continue studying: genuine interest in pursuing higher education courses in design or related areas.

Personal projects under development: creative continuity after returning, developing projects on their own initiative using acquired knowledge.

Maintained active networking: maintaining contacts with other students and well-known professionals during the program.

Use of the tools learned: practical application of the software and techniques learned in Milan in personal or school projects.

Many students discover that design is truly their passion, while others identify related areas that arouse more interest. Both results are valuable for future professional guidance.

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Preparing for the exchange in Milan

Basic portfolio development: organize previous work, including school projects, drawings, or any visual creation that shows interest in the area.

Research on Italian design: study about leading Italian designers, iconic brands such as Alessi, Cassina, and historical movements such as radical design from the 1960s.

Adequate language preparation: the program requires intermediate English. Also consider the basics of Italian to facilitate integration into the city.

Definition of specific objectives: Set clear goals for the two weeks: what skills you want to develop, what contacts you want to make, what projects you want to create.

Cultural and emotional preparation: talk about realistic expectations, possible adaptation challenges, and strategies for making the most of the experience.

O Vocational exchange differs from traditional programs for focusing specifically on the development of professional skills through practical experience.

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Be Easy

The vocational design exchange in Milan through the Sporttech program represents a strategic investment in your child's future, combining excellent education at Raffles Milano with immersion in the world capital of design. In just two weeks, young Brazilians discover if design is truly their vocation while developing a professional portfolio and creating an international network of contacts.

Be Easy accompanies the entire journey, from planning to returning to Brazil, ensuring that this experience is safe, transformative, and aimed at the objectives of each family. Contact us and discover how we can help your child take the first step towards an international career in design.