News and Blog – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

On May 15th, 2023, Zachary Nowak, Jacopo Bernardini, Manuel Barbato, and Amanda Fontana, all of The Umbra Institute, presented at the Roundtable Session on Education and Social Change hosted by the School for International Training. The roundtable conference, organized as a launch event for SIT’s new Journal of Critical Global Issues, took place virtually across three days. The Roundtable was a forum for the Umbra team to present their findings on assessing community-engaged learning at the Institute and explain how it positively impacts the students’ openness to diversity and universality. In addition to their panel, the Umbra team was joined on the panel by two other international education professionals. In their presentations, the other panelists explored the power dynamics within COIL programs and internationalization policies within higher education in the United States. It was a wonderful opportunity for members of the Umbra staff to engage with other scholars and professionals in the field to examine the future of international education.

In their session, the Umbra presenters discussed the research they are conducting to assess how the experience at The Umbra Institute changes students in measurable ways. The latest part of this ongoing project was the attempt to evaluate whether community engagement, in both students’ free time and as part of their coursework, has aided in the growth of students during their time abroad. Community engagement has long been a central pedagogical pillar of the Umbra Institute and is well-integrated into academic and extracurricular offerings. Although the Institute recognizes the importance of community-engaged learning, it is also important for the empirical data collected in this research to demonstrate which facets of the student experience play the greatest role in the students’ growth. Courses with service-learning components, Seminar and Practica courses, volunteering, spending time with local people and university students, and placing importance on learning Italian are some of the most influential aspects of student life that have a positive influence on expanding one’s openness to diversity and obtaining a more culturally-rich experience while in Italy. This research is part of an ongoing study that will be carried out and updated in future semesters. However, the current findings will be published in an upcoming academic publication. Stay tuned!

It is almost summertime, the weather is (finally) getting warmer and Umbra staff is preparing for the arrival of summer students. We cannot wait for you to be here and explore our beautiful city of Perugia but we know that traveling will be an important part of your stay. If you’re already doing a bit of research and planning, we would like to give you a few suggestions for places to visit in our region! They include medieval hill towns, a surprising national park in the Apennine mountains, a lake with incredible sunsets, and the tallest waterfalls in Italy. So without further ado, here are some gems for your day trip destinations:

Spoiler alert: Assisi and Orvieto are not on the list. Their beauty is famous well beyond Italian borders.

Le Cascate delle Marmore (Marmore Waterfalls)

In need of a refreshing day? Then, Marmore is the right destination! Offering a range of activities including hiking, rafting, and river walking, this man-made waterfall is the perfect way to take a break from the city.

Originally created by the Romans (271 BCE) to redirect the influx of water to other rivers, and later modified by Aristotle Fioravanti (1422) and others, this three-tiered waterfall still impacts water influx to this day. This journey through Italian architectural ingenuity has inspired countless artists and continues to do so. The surrounding area provides a range of ‘mercatini’ (markets) selling paintings, frames, and more local art to enjoy. Just don’t forget to check the opening times before you go so that you know you’ll get to experience the full majesty of the thundering falls.

From Perugia: take a 1 to 1-hour and 30-minute train to Terni then hop on a 20-minute bus from Terni to the Cascate. Total cost: around 9 EUR

Entry fee: 12 EUR

Link: Cascate delle Marmore Website

Lake Trasimeno

Hop on a train to Passignano and… rent a bike here or in any other bike store! The Trasimeno bike path unfolds along the lake perimeter. You will pass through typical villages like Torricella, San Feliciano (famous for its sunsets), and Tuoro, where you can take the ferry to Isola Maggiore. Castiglione del Lago is another great town by the lake, full of history and great restaurants. You can easily get there by train.

From Perugia to Passignano by train: 30 minutes by train. Cost: 5 EUR

General Information: Lago Trasimeno Website

Gubbio

Gubbio is one of the most ancient towns in Umbria, remaining marvelously well-preserved over the centuries, with many monuments that bear witness to its glorious past. Construction began in the early 14th century on the superb complex that includes the Palazzo dei Consoli, a symbol of the town and home of the Picture Gallery and Archeological Museum. Do not miss the Eugubine Tablets (seven bronze tablets written in Umbrian language) at the Civic Museum in Palazzo dei Consoli.

From the Perugia bus terminal in Piazza Partigiani, take the bus E001 to Gubbio: 1 hour and 15 minutes; Cost: 6,50 EUR

Spoleto

Just an hour’s train ride from Perugia you’ll find Spoleto, a beautiful town complete with a functioning Roman Aqueduct/bridge, intact Roman theatres, cathedrals, local markets with artisan products, and an abundance of historical museums showcasing the rich culture and heritage. The most prominent event is the ‘Festival dei 2Mondi’ (Festival of 2Worlds) founded by the Italo-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti in 1958. This festival takes place during the last week of June and the first week of July and attendees can browse through exhibitions involving art, dance, music, theatre, and more.

Spoleto’s alluring nature and historical importance have made it the protagonist of numerous films and will undoubtedly leave an impression on every visitor.

From Perugia by direct train: 1 hour. The regional train ticket costs 6,80 EUR.

Monti Sibillini National Park

This National Park is really off the beaten track for international tourists! Tucked away within the Apennine Mountains, Monti Sibillini National Park is a wild and wonderful destination in Umbria. Dotted with medieval villages, lakes, and legends, it’s a popular destination for outdoor adventures, such as hiking, biking, rafting, and canyoneering. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant in the park, from orchids to wolves and birds of prey.

Norcia is the main town in the area, and although it was damaged during the 2016 earthquake, it still preserves its medieval charm. Norcia is also famous for its cuisine, hams, and cheeses, and you will find plenty of affordable shops and trattorie. However, if you decide to invest some more money in a unique food experience, bear in mind that Norcia is home to one of the three Michelin-starred restaurants in Umbria, the Vespasia.

It is not very easy to get to Norcia from Perugia. That is why you might opt for a weekend trip. However, a direct bus connects Spoleto with Norcia in less than an hour at a very low fare.

General information: Monti Sibillini National Park website

If you are looking for more destinations, please refer to our QR handout guides on the second floor once you’re here! Safe travels!

By Kenna Haverkamp, University of Colorado, Boulder

Studying abroad in Perugia holds what seems to be an endless amount of perks, but one of the most educational and enjoyable is being able to get to know locals. This is specifically true for meeting other college students, both from Perugia and other cities within Italy. I have recently become friends with Laura, a student at the University of Perugia from Antrodoco, Lazio. Like me, she is studying Psychology. Before coming to Perugia I was aware of the fact that a university-level education from an institution in Europe is quite different than that from the American university system, but speaking with Laura and witnessing her daily schedule has helped illuminate for me the differences between studying in Italy and studying in America.

I recently met with Laura to speak more in-depth about these differences. To begin, she explained that one of the most fundamental differences between an Italian and American university education is the length of each program. Instead of having a standard four-year length of study, the time that one is enrolled at a university depends upon your major (most take between 3-5 years). These years do not ‘start’ in the fall and ‘end’ before a summer break as they do in America, and instead, happen for the majority of the year except for holidays such as Christmas and Easter (Pasqua), and a short break in August. Students also must choose the topic or course that they want to study before enrolling and stick with this subject more rigidly than the typical American undergraduate student. Italian students typically take fewer ‘elective’ classes. Therefore, while their class terms take place over a longer period than ours, in many ways, their path through the declared major is more streamlined.

There are many social differences as well, as Italian student life often looks quite different than that of American college students. To begin, Italian universities place far less focus on dorm life and therefore have an entirely different culture around student living. It is much more normal for students to live at home while attending university and therefore there is less of a ‘move out when you turn 18’ lifestyle. Furthermore, during their time studying at a university, the lives of American students typically revolve around their campus- this includes extracurriculars, non-academic socialization, and so on. For Italian students, life typically centers around the city they are studying in and the culture within the wider location of their university.

Living in Perugia and becoming friends with local students helped me to compare academic life between Italian and American universities. Both contain different advantages and disadvantages and comparing the two has been a fun part of studying abroad and learning more about Italian culture!

by Brooke Duda, University of Connecticut

I chose to take the Critical Disabilities course at Umbra because it aligned well with my previous involvement with special needs communities at home. This course allows students to work closely with VIVA Sports Association, which is the first athletic program for children and young adults with motor and/or intellectual disabilities in Perugia.

I have a lot of experience interacting and working with disabled individuals. In high school, I coached Unified Sports and helped teach American Sign Language, integrating students with and without disabilities. I helped run an annual campaign called ‘Spread the Word: Inclusion’ to eliminate the use of hateful vocabulary. This past summer, I worked as an Inclusion Coach, providing support to individuals with special needs so they could participate with their non-disabled peers in a variety of Park System programs.

I thought that learning about how disability is handled and viewed in another culture would be extremely valuable for my career interest in speech pathology. I wanted to become more cognizant of cultural differences and learn new ways to view disabilities. This course met and exceeded my expectations. Viva was the place where I felt most integrated into the local community during my time in Perugia. Each Monday we met in the classroom and every Wednesday we took a bus to the gym that Viva uses.

The greatest challenge was the language barrier. Our class has five students and none of us are fluent in Italian, so communication was difficult, particularly in the first few weeks of the course. However, playing sports allowed us to communicate in a more physical way. We could observe and learn the rules by example from the other players. As we came each week, the volunteers and participants started to recognize us, say hello, and invite us to participate. Even though I couldn’t hold long conversations, my introductory Italian class helped me recognize some words and be able to ask and answer basic questions.

The students in our class alternated between two three-hour shifts. I had another class afterward, so I was always on the early shift. The first few hours at Viva were more structured than the second half, so we played basketball every week as a team. The players were mostly young adult men with various disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome. Those who had a harder time keeping up with the fast-paced games would stand on the side, where they would occasionally get the chance to shoot the ball and earn points for their team.

Later in the day, more people came, including people with visual or physical impairments like wheelchairs, as well as some younger participants. After the more structured, high-level games ended, the environment became much more relaxed. The students in the second shift got the chance to interact more one-on-one with Viva participants, walking with them, and helping them complete obstacle courses and other games like Ping Pong.

This course allowed us to apply what we learned in class to an environment outside the classroom. We discussed the connection between sports and disability and how all children have similar motivations to be active. This was clear to see at Viva, where everyone seemed very excited to participate and be part of a team. Disabled children are unfortunately less active, on average than non-disabled children. Inclusive sports programs are very impactful to help close that gap. Sports are beneficial in many ways, including health, problem-solving, teamwork, social skills, goals, learning, empathy, and communication. The biggest benefit I saw at Viva was social inclusion. I could see friendships form and evolve over the semester between participants, in addition to feeling valued as part of a team.

This course helped us see the benefit of programs to include people with disabilities, who are often excluded from mainstream society. I enjoyed making connections between my experiences in the States to my experience at Viva. I learned how to communicate with a language barrier and saw the value of inclusion in a new context.

By Jessica Morgan, Binghamton University

Living in a new country always has an adjustment period. There are certain things that we get used to living in one place, and it’s natural to be surprised when adjusting to a new culture. Studying abroad is no exception! As a current student studying at the Umbra Institute, I have learned a few new things about living abroad in Perugia, Italy. If you’re anything like me, you have probably researched the program, city, and “top things you need to know about studying abroad”. However, there are little things that I’ve noticed that took me by surprise. So, to help clear the way for future students and curious friends and family, I came up with a list of top things that surprised me about studying in Perugia.

1. Big grocery stores are swapped out for small markets

In the US, it’s normal to head to a huge grocery store every week or two to get a cart full of groceries, brought back in your car. Well, things work differently in Perugia. Living in the city center, the stores are very small and localized. It’s more normal to stop in to grab what you need for dinner that night or for a few days. This is preferred especially due to the size of the store, and because you will be carrying it by foot!

2. Winter in Perugia still exists!

Now, I know we all may have a concept of Italy as being quite warm and Mediterranean. Although this isn’t false, it’s important to know that it also gets to be cold in the winter. This is important to know when you are packing because you will need your layers! Also, the temperatures of apartments and buildings in Italy are kept lower due to laws tackling climate change, so they tend to reflect the temperature outside more.

3. You will be getting in your steps

Perugia has a very nice city center that looks out to the Umbrian countryside. However, like many other towns in the area, it was built on a hill that has lots of stairs and roads going up and down. It makes for a great view and beautiful walking paths, but be ready to take on some steps, and a good pair of sneakers is essential!

4. Perugia is known as the “university city”

The Umbra Institute is just one, and probably the smallest, of multiple universities in Perugia. What I was surprised about was how many students there were from the other universities. The University of Perugia and the University for Foreigners together have around 30,000 students. This means you’re bound to meet some college students who are Italian or from other countries. Umbra even hosts some events and has classes that these students can attend.

5. Coffee is essential to Italian life

If there is one thing that Italians are always passionate about, it’s coffee. Coming from the US, most of us are used to drinking big cups of coffee, often iced. If you try to drink coffee this way in Italy, you’ll struggle. Don’t worry- there are ways to get your iced coffee fix (my favorite spot is Pinturrichio’s), but it is much more common to order an espresso or cappuccino in the morning. Umbra conveniently has 2 vending machines where you can get whichever hot coffee you prefer!

6. The double meaning for a “bar”

Did you know that a bar in Italy does not just mean a pub? This one really surprised me! Practically every bar- which is known in the US as a cafe, transitions into a bar for drinks at night. I guess it makes sense that they use the same word for both!

7. Clotheslines are the natural dryers of Italy

Okay, this one I knew before coming to Perugia, and it made me nervous. Although I wasn’t surprised by it, there is a learning curve to the art of getting your laundry done. Planning ahead and communicating when you need to use the drying racks or clothesline with your roommates are essential. But in no time, you’ll get the hang of it and it will become “the new norm”.

8. Perugia is part of the “green heart” of Italy

The Umbria region is the furthest south-landlocked region of Italy. They embrace the beauty that is shown throughout the region and are nicknamed the “green heart” of Italy. There are lots of fields and hiking trails around- which if you love the outdoors like I do, will make you feel at home. The Apennine Mountain Range can also be seen from Perugia as well, showing great views of snow-capped mountains in the region.

9. From Baci, to Perugina, to Nutella, Perugia has your chocolate

Among many specialty foods, chocolate is one of the biggest products in Perugia. Throughout Italy, people adore a good chocolate cornetto, or practically anything topped with Nutella. I found out that Nutella was first invented in Italy, making it very popular. In Perugia, Perugina chocolate is supreme, and chocolate stores selling ‘Baci’ can be found everywhere. For chocolate lovers, you’re headed to a great place! You can even participate in chocolate-making classes, and yearly chocolate festivals.

10. Perugia is an Etruscan city, with a history that is over 2300 years old

You may have noticed in pictures that the Umbra Institute is located in a historical city center. However, you may not know that Perugia is one of the oldest cities in Italy. It started as an Etruscan town, which is still represented through the walls surrounding the city and a huge arch in the center. There are many hidden historical facts and architectural finds within the old city, which you will have to find for yourself!

11. There are train lines that connect to the major cities

Perugia is located in central Italy, between Florence and Rome. Although it may not be a town that Americans have heard of before, it is located in the central area of Italy and works as a travel hub both north and south. There are easily navigable trains and buses that can take you to Florence or Rome, as well as many other Italian cities, as you wish. I quickly became accustomed to the trains and how to get places, and I’m sure you will too.

12. Italian is heard throughout Perugia

Because Perugia is less exposed to international tourism, Italian can be heard everywhere. It might be a bit nerve-wracking to take on a new language, but it truly makes the experience so much more authentic and exciting! Don’t worry- community members are happy to speak slowly, and we are always encouraged to go to the staff at Umbra with any questions we might have. I was surprised by how quickly I was able to adjust to living somewhere where I had no language experience prior.

13. The Umbra Institute is a small university with a big community

Coming from a larger American university, I was so surprised when I found out there were only 96 people in my program. However, once we got to Perugia, it made sense that our program was small in order to provide a bigger sense of community. With small classes, it’s been easy to make friends and get to know the professors and staff. I was so surprised when they had all of our names memorized within a week! They want to get to know the students, and with all the community outreach and field trips that happen, it’s easy to become close with everyone. Even though the program is small, Umbra has a surprisingly large network of connections throughout the region as well, making the little university more known by the community.

14. Buying a slice of pizza using a coin…

Coming from the US, we all noticed how the food costs less in Perugia. Local products are known to be especially cheap which makes it easier to go out to eat and taste some Italian foods. Another small thing that surprised me about this also was that people are a lot more likely to pay using coins and cash. So when you’re going to grab that slice of pizza for a euro, grab a coin to pay and the owner will be appreciative!

As someone who insisted on researching everything I could before studying abroad, I didn’t expect to have so many cultural differences that would catch me by surprise. Don’t worry though, there is nothing on this list to be afraid of. Each new unexpected thing we experience while studying abroad can lead to exciting new adventures, a funny story to tell, or something that can even remind you of home. I hope this list gives future students, families, and friends a peace of mind and sparks excitement about studying abroad. And although I can speak on my own experiences, there are so many things out there for you to discover, so get out there and enjoy studying abroad!

by Dayna Hausspiegel, University of Connectitut

I wasn’t set on Perugia at first, and to be honest I didn’t know it existed. I wanted to study in Florence because of a friend from the states who went to attend college there. However, I quickly learned that many of my friends—close and indirect—were studying in Florence.

I had the privilege of having an internship abroad for 3 months the summer prior, and went with my close friends. It was an amazing experience, but I was shut out of the direct culture due to Americanized restaurants and clubs. This time around, I wanted something more culturally shocking and off the beaten path.

I knew I wanted to stay in Italy, at least in Europe. The travel opportunities there are what drew me to Italy besides my love for food and new cultures. I had made spreadsheets with the places my Communications major allowed me to go, crossing off everywhere I knew I didn’t want to live. I had spoken with someone who studied at Perugia the year prior, and told me that if I didn’t speak Italian it wouldn’t be a wise investment of my time. I ended up taking the risk and going anyway.

After making the conscious decision to study alone in Perugia, I felt more at ease with my decision. Some might think that statement contradicts itself, but after learning that most of my inner circle from college was going to the same city, I quickly realized I would be reexperiencing the Americanized culture I wanted to stray away from.

With my outgoing nature, I quickly became acquainted with the people in my program. We went out for an aperitivo, invited each other over for homemade dinners, make-your-own pizza nights, and went out on the town. All of the friends who I met and stayed around were like-minded and also made the decision to come alone to Perugia.

I still have the opportunity to visit my college friends when I please. I have made use of the transportation systems to take me to and from my many adventures, while also indulging in a Perugian weekend every so often. The point of studying abroad—besides academics—is living and embracing the culture of the city you choose. For some, it’s quite similar to home. To me, it’s a rush of new emotions.

Going alone to a foreign country is scary, but rewarding. Meeting people of similar nature helped reassure my decision and won over any weary thoughts I had at first about my program. The staff at Umbra are super accommodating and helpful resources in terms of schooling as well as giving recommendations for travel in and around Perugia. This route is not for everyone, but if you are willing to take the chance to go to a quainter city, this might be the place.

By Luke Miller, Arcadia University

The bus ride from the Rome airport to Perugia was the first impression I got of Italy when I arrived here in mid-January. I was mesmerized by the rolling hills, antique houses, and bustling rest stops along the highway that somewhat reminded me of home – however, finally getting to Perugia was an entirely new experience. The streets, while small, did resemble those of an American city, and the attire of pedestrians on the street seemed very similar to home as well. Our first night was spent in a hotel far from the center of Perugia, which is where we would be living for the semester. In all honesty, that first night was very groggy – we all were getting used to the 6-hour time difference. We fought the jet lag as best we could, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by the hotel as a welcoming ceremony. The next day, we grabbed a quick continental breakfast and boarded shuttle buses that would take us and our luggage up to the center city so we could get accustomed to our housing. This is when the first true impressions of Perugia began!

The center city, in contrast to the lower city where the hotel was, is incredibly unique and not like anything I had ever seen in America. Pictured on the left are two of my roommates walking down the street we live on, Via Dei Priori, on the day we moved in. As you can see, the streets are incredibly narrow compared to American streets – especially when cars drive up and down the street! Whenever a car comes, all the pedestrians huddle on one side to allow the car to pass through. While this was unexpected at first, it is a practice we quickly got used to as we walk streets like this every day. On the left side of the image, there is a large tower: this is Torre degli Sciri, a 13th-century medieval structure, and our next-door neighbor! The tower is now open to visitors for free on the weekends (though tips are appreciated). As my roommates and I explored the city during our first days in Perugia, we decided to climb the tower to check out the view of our new home. The views we were met with were nothing short of breathtaking:

The opening picture of the blog is indeed a beautiful view of Perugia’s city center from the top of Torre degli Sciri. The old styles of architecture, especially the terracotta roofing, really emphasized to me that I was no longer in America. One of my favorite things about Italian homes/culture is the importance of porches and outdoor spaces: every house, regardless of size, has a patio or at least a large window to take advantage of fresh air and the outdoors. I think this is a really cool feature, and something I wish more American homes had!

My favorite view from the top of the tower, though, was the view towards the lower city. Pictured on the right, the entire city of Perugia can be seen – and beyond! The flat valleys behind the city contrast with the stark mountains in the back that crest above the clouds. Rays of sun shower down from above and illuminate the entire town, allowing the vibrant colors of the houses below to really pop. Additionally, you can see the emphasis on nature I was mentioning above; there are so many trees and green spaces all throughout the city! I wish more American cities followed this European style of city planning and featured more green spaces because they really bring a lot of character to the city of Perugia.

After our first weekend exploring the beautiful Perugia, we started our programs with Umbra. Firstly, I was incredibly impressed by Umbra’s hands-on approach towards acclimating us students to Perugia. I studied abroad in London the year before I came to Perugia, and in London, while I had an amazing time, there was far less help provided by the program I was with. Umbra, in comparison, helped us step by step get acclimated to Italian society. We had an “Italian immersion week” the first full week we were there, an entire week dedicated to full-day Italian language classes and learning how to function in the city, such as going to the grocery store, using the mini-metro, and how to order in cafes. That initial entry into Perugian culture was incredibly helpful, as it helped minimize the learning curb associated with living in a new country.

After Italian immersion week, real classes started. While the first few days of any college course are never the most interesting as the professor introduces the course content, syllabus, and general information about the class, I was very happy with how engaging my classes were. Each of my professors is incredibly passionate about what they teach. As an anthropology major, I take a lot of history and humanities courses; so this semester, I am taking a renaissance art course, a class on ancient Roman civilization, an anthropology course on food, and the required Italian class. As mentioned before, each of my professors are incredibly enthusiastic about what they teach. This makes it incredibly easy for me, as a student, to also feel engaged and excited about the course content. Each of the courses provided at Umbra feels very applicable to Italian culture, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier taking these classes in Italy – it feels like the ‘motherland’ of many of the subjects, especially ancient Rome and the Renaissance!

Day-to-day life in Perugia continued after classes started. We only have class on Monday-Thursday, so we have 3-day weekends to really take advantage of being abroad. Whether you explore Italy, Europe, or just the city of Perugia, there is always something to do here! And the courses we take provide engaging content that only enhances our enjoyment of Italy. Learning about ancient Rome, the Renaissance, and food culture while in Italy allows me to have a better appreciation for the city I live in, such as when observing art, walking through ancient streets, or eating at local restaurants. So far, my first impressions of Perugia and the Umbra institute have been resoundingly positive. I have had such a great time so far, and I can’t wait for everything that comes next in my Italian study abroad experience!

Victoria Snyder, Direct Enrollment student from Penn State

Whenever I find myself at a crossroads, my father always reminds me that life is a series of paths. Whereas some may lead to greater and bolder things, others may lead to important lessons.

For me, when I first arrived in Perugia in September of 2022, I was wide-eyed at the possibilities that studying in a foreign country could potentially offer me. As a rather linguistics-focused person, I was enticed by the idea of picking apart grammar constructions and experimenting with the syntax of the Italian language. I viewed these precious months as a time to play with the limits of my knowledge. Therefore, on my first day, with a pencil in hand, I blazed my way into L’Università per Stranieri to find myself as merely a small fish in a sea of people who were just as passionate to learn as I was. It was illuminating! Of course, studying at a foreign university is a big change, but the very idea of being surrounded by these kinds of individuals inspired me to work harder.

Of course, I had my academic highs and lows throughout the semester, but one thing I cannot stress enough was that I was never alone. Lucky for me, as a Direct Enrollment student, I have the privilege to belong to two communities. One at L’Università per Stranieri, and another at The Umbra Institute. Even though I treasure the former, the latter is what truly made an impact on me. There is something truly magical that resides in the essence of the people who inhabit all of the offices of the Umbra Institute. Never have I ever seen such a community of people that are not only passionate about what they do but so effortlessly compassionate in their efforts. It is quite remarkable.

All things considered, I chose to come back to Perugia to not only deepen my knowledge of the Italian language but also to make more memories with all the lovely people I’ve met here.

As I reflect on my experience during my first semester, I realized that I have never laughed so much, learned so much, and lived so much in a semester of university. Therefore, as I sit back here in these hallways once again ready for another exhilarating semester, I remind myself that I am here for a younger Victoria who always dreamed of being bilingual. I am here for the present version of myself who found a passion in language acquisition. And lastly, I am here to prove to my future self that I can excel at whatever I put my mind to.

It is, without a doubt, evident that podcasts are becoming an essential media source for sharing ideas and knowledge. The Umbra Institute recognizes the need to stay up-to-date with current trends that focus on educational and international experiences. It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of The Umbra Podcast! Our podcast aims to bring the experiences of students studying abroad in Perugia, Italy to listeners across the globe.

In the beginning of February 2023, Umbra staff members brought to life The Umbra Podcast with two main goals. The first is to provide an honest portrayal of the experiences of the students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the local community. The second is to provide students with the skills and experience of podcast creation for academic and professional purposes. The Umbra Podcast is a tool used to engage the current students, provide entertainment, and inform future students about their studies at Umbra and life in Perugia. All students are encouraged to take part in a future podcast to discuss their current adventures and academics or provide advice to future students! We aim to create content by the students for students.

As of now, we have released four episodes of The Umbra Podcast that address the life of full Italian immersion students, how to make friends while studying abroad, the experience of an alum, and taking care of oneself while adjusting to life abroad.

Make sure to check out The Umbra Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

By Lucey Walton, Lebanon Valley College, Umbra Rep student

Being in Italy for nearly 4 months sounds like a dream come true to some and a daunting task for others. Going abroad for a full semester is seen in both an overly romanticized and an overly intimidating point of view, making it hard for students to know what to expect. Studying abroad was something that I knew I wanted to do in college for a long time, and it was something that impacted my decisions when applying for colleges. I’m very lucky to come from a family where travelling is very important, having lived in the US and the UK. Growing up, my brothers and I were always told that travelling gives you more of an education than a school ever can.

Although I had a lot of experience in travelling, this was my first trip abroad by myself, without my parents’ help to guide me. I was very nervous about navigating through the airport the most, worrying about the many things that could possibly go wrong. In the end, the airports were not as big of an obstacle, but I was sadly mistaken to think that I was much more prepared for living abroad than I really was.

Students studying abroad are told how this is going to be the best semester that they have in their college careers, and when you first arrive here, it certainly feels that way. At first, it feels like a vacation, wandering about the town, amazed at every sight, with the new experience of living in an apartment for the first time to come back to. But after about 2 weeks everything starts to become real.

Similarly to the few weeks of college during freshman year, it is very easy for anxiousness and overthinking to build up. It can feel much worse than how you might have felt at the beginning of freshman year since you are thousands of miles away from home, with a 6-hour time difference that limits your ability to talk with close friends and family, in a brand-new city that speaks a completely different language with a group of people who you have only met a few weeks prior.

It can be very overwhelming to be worrying about grades, budgeting, navigating a new city, planning new trips, and a million other responsibilities while having fears of missing out on top of it all. With so many emotions building up with limited time to talk with those who you go to first for help, you can feel very alone, even though so many students will be going through the same exact challenges. But just like in the first semester of college, it just takes small steps and time (and a few calls home) to get adjusted to your new life for the next several months.

Writing a blog about this isn’t meant to scare people away from studying abroad. I am still so happy to be abroad this semester and am very thankful to have this experience. Studying abroad is a great step in the direction of independence past college, especially for people who want to travel more or live abroad in the future. Rather, this is to try and paint a more realistic picture of what to expect when being far away from home for months at a time. When preparing to go abroad, it is just as important to prepare your mind and well-being as it is to double-check check you have packed your bag correctly. Realistically, no, not every single day you spend abroad is going to be the greatest time of your life, but every day is not going to be terrible either. The best advice for future students that I can give from my experience so far is to get involved. Just like in college back in the US, I found that being involved outside of just academics, such as attending school-sponsored activities, being an English tutor at a local high school, and being involved in the Umbra Reps program, helped me tremendously to get accustomed to life in Perugia. Find something to keep yourself busy outside of studying for classes and take the opportunities given to you, but know that it’s okay to spend time for just yourself instead of unrealistically trying to make the entire semester feel the same as those first two weeks.