The economic downturn is war, unemployment comes down in the form of artillery shells, and more than a few of us are thinking about jumping into those trenches labeled Going Back to School.

If you're thinking of hunkering down in Europe, check out the London-Milan 2009 Dual City Summer Sessions:

LONDON: Monday 29 June to Thursday 9 July 2009
MILAN: Tuesday 14 July to Friday 24 July 2009

Students and new designers from around the world are again being invited to enroll in the London Milan Summer Sessions for four weeks of design tuition and experimentation in world-renowned institutions. Now in its fourth successful year, this unique collaboration between Central Saint Martins in London and Domus Academy and NABA, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan enables students to study in two of Europe's most inspiring cities taking complementary courses in the fields of Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Event Design and Photography. Last year over 200 students from 40 different countries joined these dynamic short courses and came away with fresh ideas, new creative energies and new friends.

Hit the jump for more information, or check out their website. The Courses Beginners courses run 29 June - 24 July 2009 and are hands-on practical courses suitable for beginners and portfolio builders, perfect for students planning on applying for further study or trying something new. Each subject area requires studying in London and Milan. Courses for 2009 are:

London: 29 June - 9 July 2009 Milan: 14 July - 24 July 2009

- Fashion Design for beginners - Fashion Styling for beginners - Graphics in Fashion for beginners - Interior Design for beginners - Photography and the Moving Image for beginners - Product Design for beginners

Our Advanced courses complement each other, often looking at the same branch of design from completely different angles. Suitable for students who have completed at least two years of a degree in a related subject or recent graduates and professionals working in the field, or a related field who need a boost. Students may enrol for both sessions in London and Milan, or choose just one course in either city.

London: 29 June - 9 July 2009 Milan: 14 - 24 July 2009

- Cool Hunting - Cultural Tour of the Best in Design - Creating a Fashion Collection - Interior Design for Hotels - Design for Consumer Electronics - Experience and Event Design - Furniture Design

The Colleges

Central Saint Martins From the iconic design of London's red Routemaster buses and the chopper bike to exquisite fashion at Dior and Chloé, Central Saint Martins' alumni have made a profound impact on our lives. Our staff and students continue to build on the success of our past by pushing the boundaries of the practice of art and design and art and design education. In 2008 Central Saint Martins welcomed over 4,500 students on to more than 300 art, design and performance summer courses, in addition to 6,000 term time short course students and 4,500 undergraduates and postgraduates.

Domus Academy Founded in Milan, Italy in 1982 as an open project constructed around Italian experiences in Design and Fashion, Domus Academy has developed two major areas of specialisation, each enriched by exchange and synergies with the other: on the one hand, the institution has established itself as an international centre for postgraduate training; on the other, it has become an important landmark for research and consulting for themes including innovation and design. Training is conducted through eight, one year master courses in Milan and one in Rome, realised with the collaboration and support of premiere companies. The school's master degrees are recognised by the University of Wales and valued at a total of 180 credits. An extensive range of short courses in spring, summer and autumn are also available.

NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti) The Milan section of the beginner courses are run by NABA, a renowned academy of fine arts and design, formed in 1980 by a group of local artists, with the intention of challenging the rigid academic traditions of the time by introducing new visions and languages closer to contemporary artistic practice and the creative professions. NABA training programmes are based on a cross- disciplinary method aimed at developing artistic and professional skills and profiles in the fields of art, design, fashion, media and graphic design. NABAs extensive campus located in the Navigli area, one of the liveliest districts of the city, has considerable architectural value and hosts undergraduate and postgraduate students from both Italy and around the world.