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Full Immersion Trip - Montana, United States

U.S Craft Brewing
Innovations in Business Models

 

Experiential Training Course for Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

 

REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAMME

 

The Full Immersion Trip – Montana (USA) is an intensive programme lasting 8 days, created in partnership with the University of Montana and Accelerate Montana.

Discover how one of the most dynamic and competitive sectors of the American market is born, grows, and reinvents itself: craft beer. Montana, with its network of over 100 breweries, local producers, and research centres, becomes your field laboratory for an in-depth analysis of the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem.

What you will learn:

  • Design effective and sustainable business models, starting from real cases in the craft brewing sector.
  • Analyse the production chain: from barley and hop growers to distributors and retail outlets.
  • Understand competitive dynamics and differentiation strategies in a saturated market.
  • Explore regulatory challenges and expansion opportunities, including state regulations and international scenarios.

 

Why Montana?

  • It is one of the most innovative hubs in the world in the brewing sector.
  • It offers direct access to raw-material producers, distributors, and university research centres.
  • It is home to pioneering breweries and distilleries that have revolutionised both the local and global market.

 

An immersive experience

During the programme you will participate in company visits, meetings with industry experts, hands-on activities and workshops. Each day is designed to turn theory into practice by analysing the evolution of a business model.

 

Itinerary (to be confirmed)

  • 28/8: Arrival in Missoula – Move-in + Orientation; Group Dinner
  • 29/8: Missoula – Campus & City Tour; Expectations, Participations and Project Deliverables
  • 30/8: Missoula – Chris Palmer, UM + John Sanden, Sierra Nevada; Big Sky Brewing tour
  • 31/8: Butte – Barley Growers Association + Headframe Distillery + Butte Historic City tour
  • 1/9: Missoula – Brewery Treasure Hunt + Business Model Presentations
  • 2/9 Flathead Lake: Flathead Valley Hops + Whistling Andy Distillery (Bigfork)
  • 3/9: Arnie Sherman – International Business & Trade; Final Project Presentations
  • 4/9: Missoula Farmer’s Market; Debrief; Wrap-up Dinner
  • 5/9: Departure

 

Download the presentation

Programme dates:

28 August – 5 September 2026

Application deadline:

16 March 2026

Open to students of:

  • First year of the Master of Science in Management
  • First year of the Master of Science in Innovation and Technology Management
  • Master’s Degree in Management for the Enterprise
  • Recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation) from the above degree programmes

The programme will run with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 14 participants, selected through a ranking based on academic merit.



 

Upon completion of the experience, the award of 1 additional CFU is envisaged for participation in International Activities, when this is the student’s first international mobility within the current study cycle. This additional credit is extra and does not interfere with any request for CFU submission through Pro-Program Plan or through the standard Faculty procedure.

Furthermore, first-year students enrolled in the Master of Science in Management and the Master of Science in Innovation and Technology Management will receive 8 CFU recognised as an elective course.

  • Students enrolled in a degree course taught entirely in English at Università Cattolica may apply by attaching to the application the self-certification of enrolment in their degree course.
  • The following international certifications are accepted if obtained from May 2024 onward:
    • B2 First: minimum 160
    • TOEFL iBT: minimum 65
    • IELTS: minimum 5.5
    • Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum 100
  • Students who do not possess one of the certifications listed above and who are not enrolled in a degree programme taught entirely in English, may take the Cattolica International English Language Test, booking it directly from the application.

  • Students will be housed in holiday homes. Rooms will be shared.

  • € 2.200 
  • € 35 application fee (non rimborsabile)

The cost of the programme covers:

  • Guidance and support during the application phase
  • Insurance coverage “Student Safety Package”
  • Assistance before departure
  • Preparatory sessions before departure led by Prof. Benedetto Cannatelli and Prof. Michael Braun
  • Tutoring during the stay (same professors)
  • Shared-room accommodation
  • Site visits
  • Transfers
  • Digital Badge upon completion of the experience
  • Assistance upon return regarding CFU validation procedures
  • Self-assessment session on return “Welcome Back: unpack your experience” managed by Cattolica International

The programme cost does not include:

  • Flights
  • Meals
  • ESTA authorisation fees (approx. 40$) / visa-issuance costs
  • Anything not expressly specified above

Università Cattolica provides 14 scholarships, each worth € 1,000.

  • Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and issued as reimbursement.
  • To apply, it is sufficient to register for the programme (no separate application required).
  • When awarding scholarships, priority is given first to current students and then to recent graduates.

  • Italian students must apply for ESTA.
  • Students of other nationalities must check whether they can apply for ESTA or, if not, contact: programmi.internazionali@unicatt.it
  • A valid passport is required.

  • All Università Cattolica students will be covered by the university’s "Student Safety Package" insurance policy.
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