Perugia: il mio amore piccolissimo. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Although the courses offered over the summer were interesting, they were not intensive at all. Most students in the program were able to travel at will and stay out all night - and receive A's on the assignments they completed last-minute. The information is wonderful and I enjoyed my courses (creative writing and photography), but they were hardly as rigorous as my home institution.

On-site administration of your program

The Umbra Institute was a constant resource and managed every student with personal attention.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

For my program, students stayed in landlord managed apartments throughout the city. Our landlord spoke little English, so my knowledge of the Italian language was an asset! But once the formalities of move-in were over, our apartment living was wonderful. Our building was from the late sixteenth century and our furnishings spanned from the late nineteenth century to about 1960. We hung-dry our laundry (just like Italians!) and learned to deal with no air-conditioning. It's an experience!

Perugia is a fantastic resource for Italian food. I gained ten pounds without breaking a sweat. Many of the larger cities try to pass off Americanized versions, but Perugia is dotted with small family-owned markets that specialize in salume or formaggio. Try everything! (Especially Giuliano's off Corso Vannucci).

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Being an Italian speaker, I plunged right into the city's culture. I met all sorts of Italians and had experiences that were life-changing. There were times when I felt I belonged in Perugia more than at home in the States.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not have any health issues while on the program, nor was I aware of any city-wide or country-wide health issues. There were no required vaccines.

Perugia is a college town and kids really know how to party. That being said, the typical concerns of a post-weekend night come to mind. However, the program offers a safety introductory lecture on the specifics of Italian culture and crime that is very useful. I never felt in danger, and I spent many mornings, afternoons and nights walking around the city alone.

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

Italy is expensive. That's that. However: it depends on how you spend your money. Many students use all their resources to travel outside of Perugia, but I would recommend staying local when possible. You'll find better food, great people and hidden treasures in town that cost three times as much at tourist destinations.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• I adored being able to speak the language daily. No one tells you how much you can learn simply by interacting with locals!
• The food was absolutely divine. Gelato three times a day, and the old man serving will call me "his beloved treasure"? Sign me up.
• Perugia as a city is unbeatable. It has all the old-world charm of traditional Europe, and the feel of a small town. You literally see the same people on the street every day, and they wave at you. Perfection!

• Communication: I know several students thought our first day on the program was going to be in Rome (where we got picked up). Not so. We traveled three hours by charter bus (after plane rides of hellacious lengths) just to arrive at our hotel in Perugia.

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer