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Umbra Institute - General Studies Program - Build Your Own Semester (Directory Program)

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  • Locations: Perugia, Italy
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Semester, Spring, Summer I, Summer II
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The Umbra Institute  
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English, Italian Click here for a definition of this term Class Status: 1-first year, 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior
Housing Options: Apartment (shared), Homestay Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study: American Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Art, Art History, Arts, Business, Chemistry, Child Development, Classical Studies, Communication, Communications, Creative Writing, Culture, Culture,, Economics, Education, English, Environmental Studies, European Studies, Film & Media Study, Fine Art, Food Communications, Gastronomy, Gender Studies, Global Studies, History, Hospitality Management, Humanities, Independent Study, International Business, International Relations, International Studies, Internships, Italian, Italian Language & Literature, Journalism, Latin, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Marketing, Music, Photography, Political Science, Psychology, Sciences, Service Learning, Sociology, Studio Art, Studio Arts, Tourism, Urban Studies, Women's Studies, Womens Studies, Writing
Program Type: Study Abroad Minimum GPA: 2.75
Click here for a definition of this term Program: Direct
Program Description:

Build Your Own Semester:
General Studies Program

UMBRA - Food Studies 5Perugia is the capital of the Italian region of Umbria, situated halfway between Florence and Rome on a hilltop surrounded by the rolling hills of Umbria and Tuscany. The ancient city serves as the ideal backdrop for study abroad in Italy. Rich in art, architecture, and historic significance, it is internationally recognized as a city of learning.

The city’s multiple train and bus stations, as well as an international airport, allow students to both experience Italian culture and explore Europe. The lively community hosts various festivals (such as Eurochocolate, the International Journalism Festival, and Umbria Jazz) each year and multiple international academic institutions, attracting students and professionals from across the globe.

Explore the Umbra Institute and Perugia through our Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook pages. 

Visit the Umbra Community Engagement Abroad webpage for information about getting involved in the local community during your time abroad.

Build Your Own Curriculum

The most popular academic program at the Umbra Institute is the General Studies Program which allows you to Build Your Own Curriculum, providing for maximum flexibility as students create an academic program that best meets their needs and interests. Students build their own program by mixing and matching courses from various disciplines among Umbra's course offerings, enrolling full-time for 12-18 credits, which must include one Italian language course (or a course taught in Italian for advanced Italian language students).

See our courses page for an up-to-date list.

The Umbra Institute also offers a series of specialized programs in food studies, environmental, & sustainability studies, and psychology. Students in the General Studies Program are welcome to enroll in a mix of courses from specialized programs. 

This option is available in the fall, spring, and summer. 

Accommodations & Student Life

UMBRA - Housing 1Housing
To help facilitate a smooth transition into life in Perugia, the Umbra Institute provides housing in apartments situated throughout the city center. Apartments are shared, and most house between two and six Umbra students.  To see pictures of Umbra’s apartments, click here.  You will find that walking through the city is an extremely easy, pleasant, and social experience…after just a few weeks in Perugia, you are sure to bump into people you know while out and about.

As there is no meal plan for the Umbra Institute program, students are encouraged to cook for themselves – don’t worry, Umbra hosts cooking classes in its didactic kitchen. All apartments are stocked with basic kitchen utensils, and often students discover new talents and interests while in the kitchen. If cooking isn’t for you, the Università per Stranieri offers low-price cafeteria meals, and the Umbra student ID card is valid for discounts at many trattorias, pizzerias, and pubs around the city. After all, it is Italy: delicious food is never far away.

Students may also choose to live with Italian or international students or in a homestay. These options are individualized and some background with the Italian language is preferred. 

UMBRA - Student at Home 1Student Life & Services
Umbra arranges an airport pick-up on arrival day each semester, during which staff personally welcomes students to Italy and Perugia. Through orientation students meet Umbra’s Resident and Academic Directors, chat with community engagement coordinators about volunteering and other opportunities, receive apartment tips from dedicated housing staff, and learn travel tricks from the student services team.

Students are encouraged to be as involved as possible while studying in Perugia. For a complete list of student activity and community engagement options, click here.

Another unique feature available to Umbra students is the Umbra App (available on iPhone and Android). The App gives students immediate access to semester event details and sign-ups, walking directions to local restaurants and businesses, and provides a list of local discount information. Students can also contact each other, faculty, or staff through the App, view course information, and more.

Health and Safety:

The Umbra Institute is dedicated to ensuring that students enjoy a safe and rewarding study abroad experience. As a full-service program with more than 15 years’ experience in study abroad, Umbra is there to assist each student from the time they apply, through their arrival, and up to the day of departure. Services relative to health and safety include:
  • Orientation: an Italian State Police lieutenant gives a presentation on safety and security in Italy and throughout Europe.
  • Emergency Phone: available 24 hours a day.
  • On-site Coaching and Counseling Service
  • Housing Office: offering apartment maintenance and assistance.
  • Umbra App Safety Check-in: In case of an emergency, all students will receive a Safety Check-in notification through the App. They will then be prompted to respond with either “I’m Safe” or “Request Assistance,” so that appropriate steps can be taken to ensure their well-being.
  • Doctors and Medical Care Available 24 Hours a Day: Students may choose to contact medical personnel on their own, but most students come to Umbra staff for support and assistance in making an appointment, either during business hours or through contacting the emergency phone.
  • Travel Workshop and Travel Forms.

The Umbra Institute Highlights

  • International staff and faculty;
  • US Office providing pre-departure support;
  • Private airport pick-up in Rome and transfer to Perugia;
  • Communication: Umbra App (for Apple and Android), monthly newsletters, Wi-Fi in all student apartments, Handbooks and Guidebook;
  • Emergency phone available 24 hours a day;
  • Life-coaching and counseling service;
  • Staff trained in crisis management;
  • Multi-day orientation in Perugia including a practical city walking tour;
  • Cell phone or SIM cards rental services available;
  • Educational and cultural workshops (Travel Workshop, Career Workshop, etc.);
  • Optional Trip, a staff-guided trip offered to explore beautiful, scenic Italy;
  • Co-curricular field trips to world-renowned historic sites and famous cities;
  • Italian language courses to learn practical skills to communicate with locals;
  • Tandem language exchange; and
  • A variety of extracurricular activities (pizza-making workshop, sports with Italian university students, etc.).

Quick links

Academics Programs Overview
Course Descriptions
Umbra Institute videos 
Community Engagement page
Build Your Own Curriculum
Food, Sustainability, & Environmental Studies Program
Multicultural Psychology Program
Scholars Program
Umbra for Parents 
Study Abroad in Italy