First of all, congratulations! By deciding to study abroad, you’ve taken the first step towards living and learning in another country, an experience that will revolutionize your future. Now the ever-present question looms on the horizon: Where to go? You’ve no doubt begun the process of flipping through dozens of flashy catalogs and dizzying brochures in the hopes of finding the perfect program. And if you’ve made your way to this webpage, it’s probably safe to assume that the sirens of Italy have beckoned. So why choose The Umbra Institute for your overseas adventure? 

Tucked away in the luscious green heart of Italy, Umbra’s location is more than ideal. Perched atop the ancient hilltop city of Perugia, Umbra boasts delicious panoramic views worthy of any Zefferelli film. In the historic city center where all the school buildings are located, you’ll find cobbled streets winding through medieval architecture, and magnificent arches that date back to the Etruscan era. A pervasive sense of history is everywhere. But Perugia is no backwoods hill town: as the capital of the Umbria region, it boasts a population of over 150,000 and a thriving international student scene, thanks to the two Italian universities in the city. In fact, Perugia is home for tens of thousands of students and often referred to as Italy's "university city." If breathtaking views are up your alley, the region surrounding Perugia is abundant in mountains, lakes, and dramatic river valleys spotted by the charming hill towns of Umbria and Tuscany, offering you many a pleasant daytrip to places like Assisi, Orvieto, Siena and Cortona. And both Florence and Rome are less than three hours by train, making Perugia the perfect springboard from which to explore the rest of Italy. 

In addition to the pure scenic beauty of studying in Perugia and the chance to participate in its vibrant student community, the Umbra Institute offers another advantage: when you study with us, you decide what kind of academic experience you want. Umbra offers several distinctive programs to choose from, allowing you to take control of your time abroad and follow the course of study best suited to your individual needs. The General Studies Program allows you to take courses taught by Umbra faculty; each day you will be in class with other American students and the twenty or so Italian students that join us every semester. If you select the Independent Research Program, you will have the opportunity to undertake an intensive research project in an area that interests you, and you will be paired with an academic advisor who is an expert in the subject you choose. For those who are interested in a truly immersive study abroad experience, we offer the Italian Language & Culture Program, an intensive course of study where students enroll exclusively at the Università per Stranieri and are housed with either native Italians or other internationals. And students who already possess advanced language skills can use the Umbra support system and facilities as a home base while taking one or more courses through direct enrollment at the Università degli Studi di Perugia.

The Umbra Institute also offers Honors Courses and topics in Franciscan Studies for students who are highly-motivated and eager to challenge themselves academically during their time abroad. 

As you narrow down your options and begin to think seriously about where to apply, it’s important to determine what you really want from a study abroad experience. While anything looks good on glossy paper, you should choose a program that will be a good match for you. At Umbra, we trust that you know best; we’ll give you the chance to shape your time here, to immerse yourself at a level that feels comfortable to you, and to take advantage of every available opportunity to see, feel, and taste la dolce vita. Umbra will work alongside you to make your time abroad the best it can possibly be. If you still have questions, we encourage you to fire away and contact a previous student to get a peer perspective on life at Umbra.

Studying in Italy will undeniably be a life-changing experience, one which will continue to enhance and shape the person you are, even long after you’ve returned home. A great adventure awaits you…good luck on your voyage!