Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Perfect Perugia Past Review

By (Arizona State University) - abroad from 01/04/2019 to 04/26/2019 with

Umbra Institute: Perugia - The Food and Sustainability Studies Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to adapt to different cultural settings and to be more open to trying new things. It was 100% worth it.

Review Photos

Umbra Institute: Perugia - The Food and Sustainability Studies Program Photo Umbra Institute: Perugia - The Food and Sustainability Studies Program Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

During the Food and Sustainability program, we learned about how food reaches all aspects of academics, getting a very good holistic view on how important it is to have sustainable food practices. The professors were very helpful and had very well thought out lesson plans.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

If you ever needed anything, the administration crew would help right away!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very close to the school

* Food:

In Italy, you eat well, but in the smaller city of Perugia, you eat so much more traditional foods and fresh foods from the local farmers.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Umbra provided many opportunities for students to network with other Italian and international students, practicing Italian and learning about how other cultures have adapted to the Italian way of life. It was such a fun experience.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would love to do the same program or take one of the other many other academic programs that the Umbra Institute offers.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I would say you could live pretty minimal in Perugia. There were many different markets so you had choices to buy on food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around 60-70 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save money on traveling every weekend, it is great to go see other parts of Europe, but Perugia is such a fun little city with so much to explore! Also cook with friends and have big dinners so that everyone pitches in and you can have a great little family meal.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We would do different events to practice Italian and even a competition to see who would speak the most Italian in a week.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Italian 201
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Don't be afraid to make mistakes! That is how you learn and how you better your language skills. Be open to looking like a fool sometimes when speaking because it is worth it!

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people (students, professors, locals)
  • The food
  • The great Italian atmosphere of Perugia
* What could be improved?
  • More opportunities to mingle with local students
  • More intensive Italian activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To always carry small bills, Italians rarely have change!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.