UChicago Trek – Business & Innovation in Milan & Bologna, Italy - September 2025
Career Advancement is excited to offer a Business & Innovation Trek in Milan & Bologna, Italy from September 15 to 18, 2025.
During the trek, you'll visit a variety of employers in the industry and have the opportunity to:
- Learn more about each company and how they position themselves in the market
- Meet and network with professionals and alumni working in this field
- Hear from recruiting teams about relevant internship/job opportunities
PROGRAM COSTS
Program Fee
- $500 will be charged to your student account by the Office of the Bursar after the trek. This fee covers hotel accommodations and transportation during the trek.
Additional Costs Covered By Students
- Airfare to and from the trek destination
- Transportation to/from the airport
- Lunch & dinner
Financial Assistance
- Available for eligible students, including Odyssey Scholars and those receiving University aid.
- You’ll indicate your interest in applying for assistance in the application form.
- More information about financial assistance for treks here.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your application via the external link in this posting by Monday, May 12 at 9am CT. Late applications will not be considered.
1. (REQUIRED) One-Page Letter of Interest PDF
This document should include answers to the following questions for this specific trek:
- Why are you interested in this trek and its destination, and how do you hope to grow both professionally and personally by participating?
- Describe any relevant coursework, experiences, or exploration that have shaped your interest in this field. If you’re still discovering it, share what steps you’ve taken to learn more and what sparks your curiosity.
- Identify two companies or organizations you’d be most excited to visit on this trek. Why do they stand out to you, and how do they align with your professional interests or long-term goals?
2. (OPTIONAL) One-Page Resume PDF
- No resume is required to apply, however, the more we know about you, the easier it is for us to determine if you’re a great fit for the trek.
- If accepted to this trek, you will need to submit an updated resume to share with employers for potential recruiting opportunities.
- If you speak a language relevant to the trek destination, be sure to include it—there may be opportunities to use it with employers.
Need help with your letter of interest or resume? Refer to our Resume Writing Guide or schedule a meeting with a career advisor through the Career Center tab on Handshake.
3. (OPTIONAL) Apply for Financial Assistance
Indicate if you’d like to apply by selecting “yes” in the Financial Assistance section.
- Students receiving aid from the University and Odyssey Scholars still need to apply.
- You must reapply for each trek cycle, even if you’ve applied before.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
- Arrive in Bologna: Sunday, September 14 (check in to Bologna hotel)
- Group Travel to Milan: Evening of Tuesday, September 16
- Depart from Milan: Friday, September 19 (check out of Milan hotel)
- Career Advancement will book your hotels (2 students per room, 5 nights total), organize ground transportation for all site visits, and book the group's train ride from Bologna to Milan.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
A valid passport is required with:
- At least six months’ validity beyond September 14, 2025, and at least one blank page.
If you do not have a passport or have an expired/expiring passport, we strongly recommend starting to gather your documentation to submit upon acceptance.
- You must show proof of a valid passport or an active renewal/application when confirming your spot on the trek.
AFTER YOU APPLY
- Decisions will be sent out on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Financial assistance decisions will also be shared on the same day.
- The final trek schedule and employer list will be shared closer to the trek
Interested in applying to additional treks? Check out the full list on our website here.
Questions? Please contact Claire Silcox (she/her/hers) at CATreks@uchicago.edu