Study Abroad in Perugia, Italy- A City of Endless Possibilities Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was enough that we were engaged in each of our classes, but not so extensive that it took away from our traveling experiences. Teachers held high expectations but were willing to negotiate/compromise to benefit the students and themselves. The grading system for each class was different depending on each teacher. Some focused more seriously on participation in class, while others focused mainly on class assignments as the main source of assessment. All teachers were extremely interested in the topics they were teaching and I never felt overwhelmed because I knew that I had the support I needed to succeed. Umbra Institute was much smaller, and therefore had a better sense of community than my home institution. However, the ways that the classrooms were set up were very similar to my classes at my home institution.

On-site administration of your program

Everything about Umbra Institute was well organized. All members of the staff were willing to help you with anything you needed whether it was school related or not. All staff members were extremely knowledgeable about Italy and were able to give us the advice we needed to get by the first couple weeks when we were trying to adapt. The program size was perfect. It allowed every student to get one on one attention with every professor and we were able to take the courses we wanted with little trouble at all. All of my expectations were met and Umbra Institute went above and beyond to make my experience incredible.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Food was incredible in Perugia. It's Italy, you can't get much better food. However, I would advise you not to eat out all the time or you'll be spending a big chunk of your money on food, where it could be spent on things such as travel.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Everything about Umbra is memorable. Perugia, Italy is a place that is constantly booming with excitement, you just might need to look a little harder than you might in Florence or Rome to find it. But just because it's not obvious doesn't mean it's not there.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

In any city you need to be cautious about what you're doing. Perugia, Italy is a safe city, as long as you are smart about what you're doing. I never had any problems regarding safety while I was abroad. The health care in Italy was wonderful. Pharmacists are always ready to help you with whatever you need. You can attend clinic for little money to get whatever it is you need.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Take advantage of every opportunity your school provides you with to interact with students living in your area of study whose first language is the language you are trying to learn. I had the opportunity to speak Italian with all of my professors, and during a weekly get together called "Tandem" in which students from the local university and Umbra Institute came together to practice our language skills. I needed to use the host country language in everyday interactions because Perugia, Italy isn't a very "touristy" area and therefore there are less people there that speak English fluently. Most people in this city did not speak English. If they did, it was very little.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

• Staff members
• Classes
• Sense of Community

• Space for recreational activities
• Internet availability