Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Exceeded every expectation! Past Review

By (Davidson College) - abroad from 08/26/2016 to 12/17/2016 with

Umbra Institute: Perugia - Direct Enrollment in Semester, Summer or Academic Year Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This program helped me have the perfect abroad program -- It taught me how to push beyond my comfort zone, how to fully experience life in a new country, and how to just have fun.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff at Umbra were truly amazing -- they were always available for advice or friendly conversation, and they were such a helpful resource to have adjusting to life in another country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartments in Perugia were all unique and each had their individual quirks, but I don't know a single member of the program that didn't feel safe, at home, and comfy in their apartments. It was great having a familiar space to come home to every night.

* Food:

It's Italy. This once is fairly self explanatory.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I describe Perugia as a live-in city. You felt like you were truly living there as a real citizen instead of just staying there for 4 months. Definitely a great city for immersion into Italian life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city always felt safe to me, although I would always follow the advice the locals and the staff give you -- don't walk alone at night, be wary and watchful in drinking situations, and most importantly keep and eye out for your friends.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

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

Perugia is a relatively cheap city, very manageable!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The city I lived in
  • The people in my program
  • The opportunities for travel
* What could be improved?
  • The process for choosing classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Leisure time in your city is equally as important as fun and exciting travel

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.