Perugia – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

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 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.

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.

This Spring Semester of 2023, the Umbra Institute has had the pleasure not only of welcoming many new students in our beautiful city of Perugia, but also students who have already experienced our study abroad program and eagerly decided to come back for another semester. In this first part of the “Coming back to Perugia” series, we’ll be sharing the words and thoughts of 2 students, Kenna Haverkamp and Bailey Schiering, who joined our General studies Program last semester. We asked them directly why they chose to come back to Perugia and what their point of view on the Umbra study abroad experience is, and this is what they had to say:

Kenna Haverkamp (University of Colorado, Boulder): Ever since I signed up to study abroad at Umbra last year I knew that I would want to stay for two semesters. And while I may have made the decision to stay before arriving here, I am more and more grateful that I did every day. Reflecting back to last semester, I don’t think that I truly realized how comfortable I felt in Perugia until just before we were leaving. Maybe because of the size of the city and the generosity and kindness of the locals, or the beauty that lies in every side street and alleyway in the city center, Perugia is one of those places that quickly becomes a second home. To feel at home in a place that is so different from where I grew up is truly a rewarding and exciting feeling.

Bailey traveling with other Umbra students

Bailey Schering (Clark University) says: When I came to Umbra during the fall I had no idea it would become my new home. Before this, I had never traveled alone before, especially not to an entirely different country. I was definitely scared, nervous, and wildly out of my comfort zone, but when I got off the plane, I was met by amazing Umbra staff who told me everything I needed to know and introduced me to my new friends. From there, it became easier and easier to take the next steps. Umbra staff hosted events that helped us meet new friends, they brought us on trips to explore Italy, and they were there every step of the way, asking “ciao, how can I help?”. The students, my new friends for life, were all just out of their comfort zones as me, and we easily found things to bond over. I decided one month into my stay that I needed to return to Umbra Institute, as it started to feel more like home than Massachusetts did.

On making friends while in Perugia, Kenna also says: “…the friends that I met while at Umbra have been one of the best parts of my study abroad experience. I met truly amazing people who I became closer to than I ever imagined I would. While it was difficult to part ways with them at the end of the semester and to watch many of them return to their respective lives, coming back to Perugia itself for the second semester felt like coming home to an old friend- and if I could do it a thousand times over I would.”

As for the city of Perugia, Bailey states: “The views just steps away from the school are jaw-dropping, and the small city of Perugia feels welcoming and inviting. The classes here are interactive, between making pottery and creating my very own bread, I feel engaged and eager to learn. The location is authentic, yet easy to navigate and I can’t imagine a better place to spend my junior year. I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to give Perugia a try … you’re destined to fall in love with it the way I have.”

Kenna says about the city: “Because of its relatively small size, you may think of life in the center of Perugia as quiet and uneventful. This is far from the truth- the city has a vibrant and dynamic feel to it, and I was never at a loss for new places to explore or new things to try. That being said, I found that what I missed most during the semester break was my routine of frequenting the local spots that I love and have become familiar with, and the slower pace of life that the city encourages you to take on.”

On another interesting and important aspect such as traveling, Kenna also states: “Other aspects to studying abroad at Umbra that have made my experience here so rewarding are the friends that I made and the opportunities to travel to new and exciting places. The travel that I have done while abroad has been some of the most fulfilling and valuable experiences that I have ever had, and I have been able to travel to places that I both never expected to find myself or always dreamed of visiting. I am so thankful to have another semester to experience more opportunities like these.”

Thank you Kenna and Bailey for sharing your thoughts on your study abroad experience here! If you enjoyed this topic, stay tuned for more in the upcoming weeks with Part 2 and check our website at: https://www.umbra.org/blog/

By Emma Goldstein, University of Denver

My name is Emma Goldstein, I attended the Umbra Institute and played on the CUS soccer team. CUS stands for “Centro Universitario Sportivo” and it’s the sports center of the Universities of Perugia. Umbra has been partnering with CUS in the last couple of years in order to give its students opportunities to continue practicing a sport they enjoy or to explore new sports but at the same time to get closer to the community in Perugia while abroad.

Playing on the soccer team gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the Italian culture. It gave me the chance to get to know the community members of Perugia. The ages ranged from 16-23 years old and the skill level is a wide range. There are about 2 practices a week and a game every weekend. I instantly felt loved and welcomed the minute I stepped onto that field. I will never forget the friends I made through this team, I am thankful to have had this opportunity.

I wanted to thank Umbra so much for setting me up with the Perugia soccer team. My abroad experience has been wonderful but I definitely did struggle to make friends. This team has been my best social experience in Perugia. The team was not originally being offered until I asked, and I just wanted to let Umbra know that this was my experience and it would be nice if it were offered to other students in the future! The coach and players were so welcoming and I would highly suggest this to someone else.

In the Spring Semester of 2023, Umbra is indeed offering the chance to join the CUS soccer team, as well as volleyball, and basketball for the men’s team, and many more gym activities such as pilates, calisthenics, and step aerobics.

If you are interested in any of these activities, contact Alexandra at [email protected]

On December 13th, professor Viviana Lorenzo and the students from her “Green Cities: A Sustainable Future” class invited Umbra faculty, staff, and students to visit the Orto Sole didactic urban garden and see all the amazing projects her class has been working hard on during the Fall 22 Semester.

Until recently, the urban garden known as “Orto Sole” (pronounced “orto-so-lay”) was a mostly forgotten steep agricultural plot on Perugia’s north-facing hillside. Several years ago a non-profit association was created to re-develop this area as an urban garden: its members rebuilt the garden’s terraces, pruned the grape vines and aging fruit trees, and started hosting community groups in the beautiful green space just below the city’s most famous panorama – Porta Sole.

In September 2021, the Umbra Institute assumed management of Orto Sole to revitalize the garden and develop it as a living laboratory for the Institute’s Food, Sustainability and Environment program. The Institute will use the green urban hillside as its “outdoor classroom”: continuing the garden’s use as a didactic space, exploring new agricultural technologies, and sponsoring community-engaged learning projects with local partners.

After much work done during the Fall Semester of 2022, The hopes and expectations of Green Cities’ students are that Orto Sole will not only become a community garden and a place that contributes to the beautification of Perugia, but first and foremost that it may slowly grow into a space dedicated to sustainable agriculture, starting with the use of recycled material only.

Some of their projects for example involved the creation of Hugekultur, layered mounds of decaying wood debris and other compostable biomass and plant materials, left to break down in time into a nutrient-rich raised bed. Another project of agricultural value was surely the Worm Towers, structures where worms will gather and consume the organic compost inside, and will then spread in the garden and fertilize the soil.

As for community value projects, we have some beautiful ones too! From spots and benches where you can sit and enjoy some tea, to wooden and ceramic boards all around, up to the embellished stair area with lights and candles, all culminating with the significant Gratitude Tree! This project was inspired by Orti Dipinti in Florence, and students wanted to recreate it here together and hang up gratitude notes, either for their hard work or for their study abroad experience and the friends they made here, given that, as student Shreya affirmed, “people make places.”

Student Jenna Bryant said as well: “Orto Sole was and forever will be my favorite place to be in Perugia. A lush green food forest in the heart of Perugia, overlooking the green rolling hills of Umbria, was always a place that made me feel at peace during the past 4 months abroad and I can’t imagine my time without it. I always enjoyed volunteering weekly in the orto and getting my hands in the soil, even if it meant being covered in mud and dirt for my next class. I am really proud of what we accomplished as a class this fall semester in Green Cities. I feel like we really made all of our goals and ideas come to life, and it is great to see that we have left a permanent physical mark on Orto Sole.”

Needless to say, we are proud of the work that has been put into the Orto, and both as Umbra body and as part of the bigger Perugian community, we hope more will continue to be done in the future!

To learn more about Umbra’s Community Engagement programs and activities, check out our website at: www.umbra.org/community-engagement-abroad/.