Umbra Blog – Page 4 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

Jessica Paholsky (Spring 2012, Pennsylvania State University)
Linkedin Contact, Jessica Paholsky
Current Role: Founder of Once Upon a Pesto, Video Marketing Coordinator at Milton Hershey School

This article is part of Umbra’s Alumni Success Series. Study abroad inspires students from all backgrounds and with all sorts of career goals. Therefore, each article in this series is meant to provide advice and guidance for current and former students interested in pursuing the types of careers our alumni hold, with some offering opportunities to connect by email or LinkedIn for further advice. We encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn so you can read future features!

Umbra: Can you describe your inspiration for Once Upon a Pesto?

Jessica: Shortly after I started my role as video producer at Rodale, Inc.—which at the time was an American publisher of health and wellness magazines, books, and digital properties—I set out on a mission to one day publish a cookbook. Before any pages could be turned, there needed to be a clear and defined vision as well as a topic that wasn’t already saturated in the market. After research, personal reflection, and several idea sketches, I landed on the idea of pesto. Having produced a mini-documentary about olive oil for my college honors thesis—which was inspired by my semester abroad in Italy—I realized pesto was the perfect way to elaborate on my expertise with another classic Italian food product

U: Why pesto?

J: After further research, creative thinking, and planning, my mission became to educate, entertain, and excite others with the fact that pesto is a process. The word pesto derives from an Italian verb that means ‘to crush’ or ‘to grind.’ It’s the same verb from which we get the word pestle (The mortar and pestle was the first culinary tool used to make pesto). That means ingredients from all around the world—not just Italian basil—can be used to make the sauce. Pesto was the gold mine that allowed me to blend several of my passions—storytelling, travel and culture, and food history—into one package. Once Upon a Pesto shares the stories of food and recipes with two main goals: to make other cultures accessible and to inspire creativity in the kitchen.

U: So how did your study abroad inspire your idea and its evolution?

J: My study abroad in Perugia laid the foundation for Once Upon a Pesto. While most of my classmates used our four-day weekends to board short flights to other European nations, I committed my travels to visit 20 regions in Italy so I could gain a true understanding of the nation and its culture. Seeing first-hand the diversity that exists throughout Italy—which can be overshadowed by generalities seen in movies and experienced in foreign restaurants—sparked a curiosity in me to learn about more cultural histories and facts.

One of the classes I took was The History and Culture of Food in Italy. The lessons and excursions included in this course, no doubt, fed my vision for Once Upon a Pesto and its incorporation of food history on a global stage.

U: Did your time in Perugia lead to more international experiences?

J: Well, fast forward to my first job out of college at a teen travel company where I led and filmed trips in Europe, Costa Rica, and China. My approach to new cultures continued to flourish. As a lifelong learner, I was still hungry for knowledge about other places and people. Once Upon a Pesto, in many ways, satisfies that hunger, and what I love most is that I can share it with others through entertaining and educational content.

My content and brand have given me the platform to be able to nurture relationships with other chefs, home cooks, and travel enthusiasts based throughout the world. Not only do I regularly message and engage with these people through social media, but I also host regular Instagram Live Q&A videos that dive deep into a particular country’s food and recipes. These conversations have featured guests from as far as New Zealand, South Africa, and India to as nearby as Honduras, the Caribbean, and New England.

U: Considering the root of ‘pesto’, what guidance can you provide to future entrepreneurs regarding the process (or ‘the grind’) of starting your own business?

J: Much like making pesto the old-fashioned way by hand with a mortar and pestle, working toward a challenging goal brings about something special, something more flavorful, something very rewarding. I’m not a chemist, but it’s said that pesto made by hand in a mortar and pestle allows the ingredients to break down individually and then integrate with each other in ways not possible by pushing a button and letting an electric blender do all the work. In the same way, a deserving achievement takes time and dedication—‘the grind’—and brings to its laborer something greater than if the project were easy or completed by someone (or something) else. I can’t help but summarize this analogy using a quote from the late Kobe Bryant: “Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.”

U: Have you experienced any difficulties in business ownership that were made easier by lessons learned from study abroad?

J: One of the biggest hurdles I recently overcame was putting myself directly into my brand. This is where three key lessons I learned during my study abroad came into play.

The first lesson: Take risks. I look back at my solo weekend travels across the Italian peninsula and realize how much I was stepping outside of my comfort zone. I was pushing myself to new personal growth beyond the shy teen I was when entering college. Putting myself out there as part of my brand was new and risky. But would it hurt my path to success? Was I ready to make that level of commitment? The answers were no and yes, respectively. Soon after I made the brand change, Once Upon a Pesto experienced increased growth in followers and I saw more personal connections develop across the world because people were now seeing a face in front of the brand.
The second lesson: Have a plan. Those weekend travels from my semester base in Perugia were not haphazard. Each trip throughout the four months I was abroad was carefully and thoughtfully planned out to every last detail—where the train stations were, which hotel or bed and breakfast received good reviews but was reasonably priced, how many sites I could trek to on foot or public transit, and if it was more practical to cover multiple nearby cities in one weekend or split them up. Venturing to the front side of Once Upon a Pesto with my presence required weeks of planning and mapping out my next steps. This included everything from the content pieces themselves to the style, frequency, and distribution of each piece.
The third lesson: Set time-based goals. It wasn’t until about a week into my semester in Perugia that I decided I wanted to visit 20 regions of Italy during the next four months. When I set a goal, there’s no wasting time or waiting for things to happen on their own. Similarly, my shift with Once Upon a Pesto was completely intentional and goal-oriented. I wanted to establish myself as my brand’s storyteller, front and center. In my experience, goals are more likely to be achieved when they are time-based. Therefore, I listed out my transition plan, week by week, including updates to my website and social media profiles.

U: Can you share any lessons from studying abroad that have benefited you as a businesswoman?

J: The lessons study abroad inspires are priceless. They benefit students both personally and professionally for years thereafter. For me, these lessons involved strengthening my managerial skills, enhancing my independence and courage, practicing frequent and effective cross-cultural communication, intensifying attention to detail, and elaborating on strategic problem-solving. When I take the time to reflect on my study abroad—the places I traveled, the people I met and talked to, the coursework and projects, and the apartment-style living—each of these lessons reminds me of how transformational and transferable the experience is. I see each lesson still present in and growing my character, my work style, my interactions and relationships, my career, my hobbies, and Once Upon a Pesto.

U: Do you have any remaining advice regarding business leadership that you’d like to share?

J: For Umbra’s current and prospective students, my three tips are:

Step outside your comfort zone: During my study abroad, I wasn’t afraid to travel solo and off the beaten path to places that weren’t necessarily top-of-the-list among other students.
Make each day count: While a whole semester may seem like a long time, it really goes by fast so it’s important to try to accomplish something new, different, or memorable each day.
Understand the value of developing connections: As a storyteller by trade, I listen intently to each person I interact with, and that’s how lasting relationships start. Many relationships I formed during my study abroad continue in my life today.

It is spring break time and the atmosphere at Umbra is unusually quiet. Most of our students are currently visiting Italian and European cities, but some of them opted to explore some of the gems near Perugia. But which are the best day trip destinations in Umbria region?

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

Here is the top-5 destinations according to… Umbra staff members! They include medieval hill towns, a surprising national park in the Apennine mountains, a lake with incredible sunsets, and the tallest waterfalls in Italy.

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 Aristotile 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: 9 EUR

Entry fee: 10 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: 4 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, 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 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 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 first week of July and attendees can browse through exhibitions involving art, dance, music, theatre, and more.

Spoleto’s alluring nature and historical importance has 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 EUR.

Monti Sibillini National Park

This National Park is really off the beaten track of 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 cusine, 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 of more destinations, please refer to our mini travel guides on the second floor or click here for general travel tips.

Happy Spring Break!

Last Friday, Multicultural Psychology Program (MPP) students went on a field trip to Florence, where they visited the National School for Guide Dogs. The school endeavors to change the lives of the blind/visually-impaired individuals by training 30 dogs each year.

The trainers explained to the students all the steps that must be taken before giving a dog to the person who requested it. The health of both the dogs and the recipients is given high priority. All of this is possible thanks to a network of psychologists, veterinarians, and volunteers who are constantly taking part in a long-term project that has a huge impact on all the actors involved.

Students were lucky enough to meet Carlo, a blind person – as he calls himself – who shared his experience. Carlo will get his dog in May and is currently training with four dogs.

The National School of Dogs is a public institution that is completely funded by the Region of Tuscany and dogs are provided free of charge to the recipients.

If you want to learn more about Umbra’s MPP Program, click here.

Last February, the Umbra Institute signed an agreement with Fuori di Zucca, (whose literal translation in English is “Out of Pumpkin” but whose meaning in Italian is “crazy”), a volunteering association that manages a Solidarity Purchasing Group. Their aim is creating a small community that would buy fresh food (i.e., vegetables, fruit, cheese, etc.) in a conscious and alternative way.The purchase of local produces takes place according to the principle of solidarity, which leads them to prefer small and local producers, respectful of the environment and people, with whom they have established a direct and stable relationship.

Thanks to the agreement, Umbra students can take part to the activities of this association and immerse themselves in a lively community of local food producers and consumers. Spring semester students have seized this opportunity and are volunteering in the weekly shopping and food distribution which is held every Wednesday. Students became active members of the Association, and they were provided with a membership card, with which they can buy local food.

In addition to sustaining local farmers, Fuori di Zucca has also launched an initiative through which the complete weekly shopping (vegetables, eggs, bread, pasta, cheeses, legumes) is guaranteed to five families in need of support residing in the neighborhood where Fuori di Zucca meets. This initiative is supported by the members of the association (with small donations), from producers (who charge half price for the products of the shopping for these families), and from others fundraising activities.

The Umbra Institute is happy to be part of this meaningful project and is looking forward to strengthen its ties with Fuori di Zucca “Crazy” association!

As we’re nearly halfway through our Spring 2022 semester, one of our team members took a moment to both reminisce and reflect on some of their favorite things about a spring semester in Perugia.

As the spring semester begins, Perugia feels as though it has just woken up from a long nap. You see, between semesters, Italians enjoy feast after feast with friends and family as they celebrate the winter holidays. You may think that these indulgences end with the New Year’s Eve fireworks that you can see across the valley from various hilltop views across Perugia. However, the merriment continues until January 6th. Naturally, after weeks of eating just a little too much, the city lulls into a drizzly naptime.

spring semester Italy — Perugia, a city in the clouds.

Italian students study for their final exams to conclude their fall semester while international students arrive at the Umbra Institute and begin to stretch their legs, peaking down sideroads as they discover their new home. In the winter months, mornings start with a blanket of fog that wraps around the city, filling the valley below. Wandering down side streets or to the end of Corso Vannucci, one can glimpse that 40 degree (Fahrenheit!) blanket of white and feel like they’re living in a magical city in the clouds.
Some restaurants close for a couple of weeks in January to relax after a busy winter season but that doesn’t mean that the city doesn’t smell like Italy. As you take a walk down Via dei Priori or up Corso Garibaldi at lunchtime, you’ll smell all sorts of delectable dishes. It’s fun to take that walk with a local as they can often identify each dish by its smell. Fish or meat? Tomato sauce or cream? Soup or pasta? I’d argue that the best smells are on Sundays: polpette or a big pot of ragu!

study abroad italy — Wander down the side streets

As the weather warms, the skies clear and the sunsets become a spectacle. The city comes to life with people taking their early evening passeggiata so that they can sit at the benches of the Giardini Carducci in awe of the violent shades of red, orange, and pink that explode across the sky. A panorama of light that can be embraced but not captured. Turn left toward the view of San Domenico church and to the left of its tower you’ll see Assisi turn pink and purple as it reflects sunbeams slowly disappearing behind the hills.

spring semester sunset in perugia italy — The hills turning purple behind San Domenico tower as the sun sets on Perugia

Though the sun has gone to rest, Perugia does not. Streets fill with Perugini in search of fresh air and friends along the main thoroughfare. Stopping to rest on the steps of Piazza IV Novembre, also known as Perugia’s beach, is a great way to take in all the life that Italians bring to their evening walks! Don’t be surprised if midnight creeps close and small children are still toddling about, using the day’s last spurt of energy. The fountain becomes a meeting place and sometimes you’ll hear the swoon of violins echoing off the Duomo when the doors to Palazzo dei Priori open for a well-dressed music aficionado to wander down the steps and take in a cigarette.

palazzo dei priori Perugia — Palazzo dei Priori – a historic building that now hosts concerts, weddings, and a national gallery.

As Easter approaches, you’ll begin to see why Perugia has a reputation as the city of chocolate, home to the Perugina chocolate factory. Decades ago, its founder, Luisa Spagnoli (a woman with a love for innovation and a heart for social impact), created Italy’s famous chocolate Easter egg. A massive egg as big as one’s head that is hollow and hides a surprise! These are often fun games for kids to find when they break their egg but you can find various shops around the city that will let you put your own special gift inside! In some shops, the eggs are so elaborately decorated that it almost hurts to break their delicate shell!

Italian Easter Eggs — Italy’s famous chocolate Easter egg

Early in April, the city booms to life, becoming a hub for journalism professionals who flock to Perugia for the International Journalism Festival. Free events take place throughout the city and are offered in English to appeal to the international audience. Writers and investigative journalists from the BBC, Al Jazeera, NPR, La Lista, Corriere della Sera, and more fill Perugia’s pizzerias. If you study communication, journalism, or political science, Perugia is THE place to be during this festival! Ask a good question during a panel, and at the end, you might get a yes when you offer to show the panelists your favorite hidden restaurant in the city in exchange for an informal informational interview.

Italian flower festival — The Infiorata is a stunning flower festival in May, found in nearby Spello

As the semester concludes, you catch a glimpse of what’s to come over the summer. The sun beats down and you shed your winter layers. You hear about May’s flower festivals, June’s medieval 1416 festival, and July’s Umbria Jazz and you start to consider whether or not one semester was long enough…

As part of its Fall 2021 re-opening, The Umbra Institute has renewed its historic agreements with both local Italian universities in Perugia. Founded in 1999, the Institute has hosted American students in Perugia for over two decades. In 2006, then-director Dr. Charles Jarvis signed an agreement with the president of the University of Perugia (UniPG). The agreement created a framework whereby Umbra students could take courses at the Italian university alongside their Italian and other international student peers. UniPG could also take classes at The Umbra Institute: the first semester after the agreement saw the participation of eleven Italian university students in Umbra classrooms. Within two years, the other local Italian university also became an institutional partner: the University for Foreigners, which despite the name also has Italian students enrolled in its marketing and international relations tracks, also inked an agreement with Umbra.

These agreements were renewed this Fall with the goal of expanding access to classrooms and promoting closer collaboration of Institute professors with their counterparts at the Italian universities. As part of the agreement, Umbra students in the program for Food, Sustainability, and the Environment will work with Agricultural Sciences on the development of Orto Sole, Umbra’s new urban community garden. The Institute expects over twenty Italian students to join the over one hundred American students studying in Perugia in the Spring of 2022.

By Lexi DeMarinis, University of Richmond

When you first arrive in Perugia, Italy for your semester abroad you will most likely spend the first week trying every pizzeria, pasta dish, and torta al testo in town. Then, you will realize it would be nice (and cheaper) to cook some fresh food in your apartment that reminds you of home. At this point you will head to the grocery store, most likely the Coop. Here you will find yourself completely overwhelmed by the amount of items packed into the small store, the number of people you bump into, and how different it is from going to the grocery store in the United States. I am here to tell you that grocery shopping in Italy does not need to be difficult, and there are more options for buying food than the Coop.

General Tips

Put a glove on (found with the bags for produce) before touching any produce
After you choose produce put your bag on the scale and select the item on the screen
Place the printed sticker on the produce bag BEFORE you check out

The Coop

The Coop is a great one stop shop grocery store. They have fresh produce, yogurt, milk, fish, and meat, but they also have snacks, crackers, cereal, frozen items and PEANUT BUTTER. While the frozen section is not huge there are some good finds such as frozen soup, fruit, pizzas, seafood, vegetables, and more. My personal favorite is the frozen pumpkin soup, you just heat it up in a pot for a few minutes and enjoy!

Fresh Vegetables @Via dei Priori, 20

The Coop is great, but if you are looking for guaranteed fresh produce directly from the farm this is the place to go. The owner is very kind, and he speaks great English. You point to what you want, he picks it out and bags it for you. He also gives you the best one of whatever you ask for. For example, if you want a bell pepper, he won’t give one that is about to go bad, but instead rummage through the bin to find you the best one. He has a few extra items in the shop as well such as crackers, canned beans, olive oil, and jams. Sometimes he has fresh cut up veggies that you can buy bags of to make minestrone soup. If you don’t see what you want, just ask and it’s probably in the back.

Fresh Pasta @Via Cesare Caporali, 3

This very small shop does not even have a name and there is only room to stand and order at the counter from one man who owns, runs, and makes the pasta. I highly recommend going here for a fresh, local experience that you will not get in the United States. The man speaks English, but he will help you through your Italian and urge you to practice. He makes fresh gnocchi, ravioli, and other types of pasta daily. It is also a great place to go if you only want one portion of pasta because you buy it by weight.

Butcher: Pierini, Via Dei Priori, 15

Again, you can find meat at the Coop, but when in Italy going to the butcher and getting your meat from the shop that specializes specifically in meat is a must have experience. The one on Via a Priori is conveniently located right across from the fresh produce shop. I highly recommend the sausages, they are full of flavor and really cheap, less than 1 euro per sausage. I recently used them to make sausage and peppers!

Pam: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, and Vegetarian Options (Open Sunday)

Pam is a great place for dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, pre-packaged and frozen meals, and some American snacks. They have a small fresh section (much smaller than the Coop) but I mainly recommend Pam for the alternative products I mentioned above. They have dairy free yogurt and almond milk. They are also open all day on Sunday so when you come back from your weekend travel and realize you have nothing to eat it is a great place to grab a few Sunday essentials.

Alimentari’s

These are stores typically run by one to two people and they often sell products from other cuisines. Here you can find Asian spices, noodles, and sauces as well as American snacks and Halal products. They also often have frozen fish and a small selection of fresh produce. These are also typically open on Sunday for some amount of time.

Check Lexi’s Instagram highlights about groceries in Perugia on Umbra Instagram page!

by Umbra Rep Lauren Pawlowski, University of Connecticut

Part of adjusting to life in a new country while studying abroad is figuring out ways to make this place feel like home. Exploring the city and surrounding areas is exciting, but it’s good to balance taking trips and doing casual things around Perugia. I have lived in Connecticut for my whole life, so it is a little overwhelming trying to fit in with the Italian culture. Although this feeling may be common amongst the American students here, there are many ways to manage stress and feel more at ease with life abroad. Taking advantage of your free time is one the best ways to do so! So although watching Netflix may be tempting, here are 10 different ways to enjoy your spare time:

1. Looking for inspiration or something new to look at? Visit the art gallery or historical exhibits in the city fortress, la Rocca Paolina. Or you can take a stroll down Via Cartolari and Via della Viola to see outdoor murals and public art.

2. Feels like you’re eating too many carbs? Here are the local workout options: get a gym membership, visit Metropolitan Boulder (a rock climbing center where Umbra students get a discount), or run around the city or at the local track. If you’re looking for fewer hills, visit the parks around the city. One of them is Percorso Verde in Pian di Massiano (get there by Minimetro), where you can walk, run, play ping-pong, or just relax.

3. Start a new hobby: journaling, drawing, painting, playing the ukulele, reading books, writing poetry, etc. There are art supplies available at the Flying Tiger Copenhagen store and Novart Deco, both located in the city center. You can also buy books around town (look for “Libreria”). Journaling or making art about your experience can help you remember all the aspects of your study abroad adventure. Also, if you brought a nice camera then Perugia has many beautiful views to photograph!

4. Cook a new recipe or try new foods. You can search recipes online, ask a staff member, or talk with a local about new dishes to try. Enjoy a meal with your roommates or invite a friend over.

5. Watch a movie at the cinemas around the city. There are English movie nights on Wednesdays at PostModernissimo or other theaters. Ask the Umbra staff for advice on where to go.

6. Experience the best of Perugia: walk around, explore, or sit on the steps and chat with the locals.

7. Go to the mall (Centro Commerciale Collestrada) via a 35-minute bus ride. There you can find H&M, Zara, IKEA, and other popular stores. Or you can peruse the shops around the city center for some quick finds. There are a few thrift stores in Perugia, but you’ll have to take a bus or use the Minimetro to get to them.

8. Enjoy a coffee, sandwich, or aperetivo with a friend or with someone new. It helps to have a chat over food or a casual drink.

9. Visit the outdoor markets around the city for fresh farm produce, fish, truffles, clothing, and handmade goods.

10. Call a friend or family member back home to tell them about your experiences, get advice, or hear about life back in the States.

Check the Activities and Map sections of the Umbra App for more ideas and trips happening in the area!

16 September 2021 – Washington, DC

During a visit to the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC on Thursday, Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that, “Italy has become an example to the world”. Fauci went on to compliment and promote Italy for its management of the pandemic stating, “Italy is doing well, better than the USA, particularly with the percentage of fully vaccinated people over 12 years, almost 75%, against 54% in the United States (63% with at least one dose). Italian ambassador Mariangela Zappia, thanked Fauci for his comments and his appreciation for Italy’s effective policies in response to the pandemic.

Statistically, Italy is among the top 10 nations in terms of managing COVID-19 and has set a goal of 80% of its population be vaccinated with the first dose by the end of September, and to eventually, like Portugal has done so in recent days, achieve an over 80% fully-vaccinated level and declare victory over the pandemic in the coming months.

Source: Covid, Fauci promuove l’Italia: “Meglio degli Usa, è diventata esempio nel mondo” – Rai News

The whole Umbra Institute community is awaiting the arrival of the students in the Fall 2021 cohort, who will come to a city bathed in the later summer sun. Perugia has always been welcoming to American and all other foreign students, but this semester’s students are the first since the pandemic closed down the city in March 2020.

Perugia is the capital of Umbria, which boasts one of Italy’s highest vaccination rates: just over 85% of Umbrians have had at least one dose and 75% are fully vaccinated. As of today, Italy itself is among the safest destinations in Europe, thanks to the measures adopted in the country to combat the spread of the virus.

The main initiative allowing a safe return to normal life is probably the so-called Green Pass (the EU digital Covid vaccination certificate). In Italy, the Green Pass system came into effect on August 6: the certificate must be shown to access all sorts of services, such as public ground transport, domestic and international flights, restaurants and cafés, cultural events, museums, theaters, cinemas, gyms, and pools. Anyone who has been vaccinated against Covid-19 can get this certificate.

If you are wondering whether vaccinated American citizens are able to access all the above mentioned services, the answer is YES! The Italian government has authorized the US white card bearing a CDC logo as proof of vaccination equivalent to the Green Pass. In addition, to keep the infection and the ICU occupancy rates at their current low levels, the Italian government declared that booster shots (a third dose of vaccine) will be available beginning at the end of September.

The Umbra Institute has been very careful to define policies that put the safety of students, staff, and professors in the foreground. As required by Italian law, Umbra’s strict anti-COVID protocol has been approved by the authorities.

Everything is in place for a smooth fall semester: a bright Perugia can’t wait to show its best to the new study abroad students!