General Studies and Intensive Italian students collided at Umbra Pizza Night, held Tuesday evening at Pizzeria La Botte.
Umbra Student Services Assistant Marco “James” Bagli estimated that 96 percent of the student population attended the favorite event last night.
“You could see students in the different programs bonding over their tasty — and free — margherita pizzas,” Bagli attested. “It was very touching.”
The next Umbra event is a sommelier-led wine tasting tomorrow evening.
Sunday, the sunniest day Perugia had seen in weeks, coincided with the Festa della Repubblica, a national holiday celebrating Italy’s transformation into a republic after World War II — and the world-famous Nooks and Crannies tour.
A group of 30 students followed staff member Addy past the festivities and through winding, medieval alleyways to the spectacular panoramas of Perugia. Among their stops were the old orphanage, a piazza described in Dante’s Divine Comedy, and the giant, age-old Etruscan arch. Along the way, they learned why local bread tastes terrible (no salt), how French author Alexander Dumas spent the night on Corso Vannucci, and where people were hung in cages (no exaggeration).
The tour ended in Piazza IV Novembre, where hundreds of elementary school students had already started to perform songs honoring well-known primatologist Jane Goodall’s visit to Perugia.
Intensive Italian students arrived at Rome Fiumicino Airport Friday, beginning the intensive six-week immersion program.
After an evening at Perugia Hotel Giò, students moved into their apartments on Saturday morning. That afternoon, they took Italian placement exams and attended a mandatory safety and academic information meeting. Sunday, students went on a practical walking tour of the city center, learning where to buy groceries on a Sunday, send mail, and go to class.
The goal of the language program is to practice as much Italian as possible through language instruction, exercises, and conversation. In addition to classes at the Umbra Institute, students will participate in language exchanges, cinema nights, museum visits, and more.
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