January 2016 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

An article by U.S. News has officially declared that Italy is ranked as the best country to study abroad, according to millennials from around the world. This means that Italy, in addition to being known as the home for top quality universities, is considered, internationally, as the most culturally accessible, culturally attractive, and overall enjoyable study abroad location. Other countries recognized among the top 5 study abroad locations include: Spain (2), the United States (3), France (4), and the United Kingdom (5).

If you are looking for your chance to study abroad in Italy and you are interested in living in a small, authentic, Italian city, check out Umbra’s academic offerings at www.umbra.org.

Click here to read the original article by U.S. News.

As some of you may be aware, the U.S. Embassy in Rome has recently emailed all U.S. citizens in Italy, reminding them of their right to vote in the 2016 elections

In order to ensure that you can vote in the 2016 U.S. Elections, including primaries and other elections held throughout the year, take the following steps:

Request your ballot by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA is accepted in all 50 states. Some states allow for the entire process to be done electronically, but, for some states, you may have to mail a paper with an original signature.

You can get additional information about election dates and your states requirements by visiting fvap.gov

View your registration and ballot delivery online. States will send out ballots for primary elections at least 30 days prior to Election Day, and 45 days before federal elections.
Return your completed ballot either electronically or through the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. View fvap.gov for specific instructions based on your State’s requirements.

For further information about the absentee ballot process or for resources to help you research candidates and election issues, view a copy of the official statement from the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy.

Umbra’s Spring 2016 students arrived this past weekend to begin their Study Abroad experience in Perugia, Italy. Throughout the weekend, students were welcomed into the Hotel Giò before being shown to their apartments and taking part in a weekend of practical and academic orientation. Once the weekend ended, Umbra’s Direct Enrollment students made their way to the University for Foreigners to take their placement exams while General Studies students began a week of Intensive Italian.

Umbra’s Intensive Italian week is unique in the way that it allows for students to spend their mornings being introduced to Italian vocabulary and grammar, and their afternoons participating in an interactive cultural activity that shows them how to put their new knowledge of the language to use. During the practical activities, professors show their students how to use public transportation in Perugia, order a coffee, and more.

“It’s fun learning new tricks to get around town,” said Nell Jacobson, an Elementary Italian student, who described her thoughts after being brought to the supermarket earlier this week. In addition, Paris Parken, also taking Elementary Italian, emphasized the usefulness of reviewing the more basic vocabulary that is essential when living abroad.

Students now have the weekend to explore Perugia and the surrounding area as they get accustomed to their new home. On Monday, elective courses will begin.

The Umbra Institute would like to congratulate its Fall 2015 Museum Seminar & Practicum students as well as their professor, Dr. Antonella Valoroso, for the success of their collaboration with the Fondazione Ranieri di Sorbello. Professor Valoroso and her students spent last semester studying the operations and functions of museums, along with Italy during WWI. Their studies led to the development of an exhibit on WWI that makes use of videos, music, photos, and official documents for the Casa Museo di Palazzo Sorbello.

The display demonstrates relations between Italy and the United States during “La Grande Guerra” and will be open to the public through the end of February.

Students were in charge of selecting items to display