Umbra Institute (Italy)
The Program
Study abroad in the heart of Italy, engaging with the community and immersing in the culture.
Umbra Institute has a robust catalog of academics, including courses in: Food and Sustainability, Music and Fine Arts, STEM, and Multicultural Psychology, to name a few. There are also options for students to partner with the distinguished faculty at Umbra to complete independent research projects and students with advanced Italian language skills can take classes directly at the University of Perugia (Università di Perugia). Whether in a homestay or a student apartment, all students are housed close to the city center so that they can participate in the bustling theater and music scene, service-learning or internships, and the world famous festivals—be sure not to miss Eurochocolate!
Students with intermediate level Italian skills will be excited by Umbra’s innovative iCourses.
These seminars are taught in English with hour-long sections taught exclusively in Italian!
Program Locations
Italy
Perugia
Situated between Rome and Florence, Perugia is the capital city of the region Umbria, which is nicknamed The Green Heart of Italy (il cuore verde d’Italia). With rolling hills and sweeping landscapes, Etruscan temples, and 16th century palazzos, it’s no wonder so many international students call Perugia home during their academic career. While studying at the Umbra Institute, students will be genuinely engaged with their spectacular environment. With options to enroll in community and service-learning based courses, participate in volunteer programs, and obtain internships, 95% of the student body has a direct connection with the Perugian community. Umbra hosts sporting events, art and music exhibitions, excursions and tours, and many more events are presented in tandem with the Università di Perugia. Because Perugia is less of a tourist destination, students will have ample opportunity to hone their Italian language skills. Combine that with the rigorous curriculum taught in both English and Italian and the language exchange program, students of all speaking levels will feel challenged and supported at the Umbra Institute.
Academics
Umbra has a robust catalog of academic offerings, including Food and Sustainability, Music and Fine Arts, STEM, and Multicultural Psychology, to name a few. All students are required to enroll in one course in the Italian language -- the Institute offers Italian at all levels from beginner to advance. Students may then choose freely from the wide variety of elective courses available. In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the Umbra Institute website. Students with intermediate level Italian skills will be excited by Umbra’s innovative iCourses. These literature, media, and sociology seminars are taught in English, but with hour-long sections taught exclusively in Italian!
There are also options for students to partner with the distinguished faculty at Umbra to complete independent research projects, and students with advanced Italian language skills may also take classes directly at the University of Perugia (Università di Perugia).
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to both Umbra Institute and Rutgers University. That means you will need to take at least 12 credits each semester. The credit translation system between Umbra Institute and Rutgers University is 1:1, meaning a 3-credit course at Umbra Institute will also be a 3-credit course on your Rutgers University transcript. It is not possible to take classes not-for-credit or pass/fail.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
All student housing is centrally located and holds a mix of modern amenities and old-world charm. You’ll be living with other Umbra students, local Italian students, or international students—your choice. All accommodations are within short walking distance of the Umbra Institute as well as other local resources, such as pharmacies, cafes, banks, supermarkets, and the post office. There’s no need for public transportation in Perugia: everything you need is a hop, skip, and a cobblestone jump away.
Apartments include double accommodations (*standard option) with a shared closet space, desks, washing machine, and a common living area. Kitchens include a refrigerator, stove, sink, oven, microwave oven, pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery. Bathrooms are shared with roommates and include a toilet, bidet, and a shower or bathtub.
Meals
Most meals are prepared at home in the kitchen or purchased in one of the many affordable Perugian cafes, trattorias, and pizzerias. In addition, food delivery services have become increasingly popular among students in Perugia and include Deliveroo and Justeat among others. Umbra students also have access to a variety of other resources such as the new university library café and nearby coffee shops, all which boast extended hours, Wi-Fi access, drinks, snacks, and a chance to socialize with Italian students. Umbra students can take full advantage of these and other venues including cafes, parks, pubs, and Perugia’s well-established social scene.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $17,500 | $21,700 |
Program Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Administrative Fees
- Emergency Medical Access Abroad
** Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms. In addition, please be sure you read Umbra's withdrawal policy as you will be held to their policy in addition to Rutgers' Withdrawal Policy should you withdraw from the program.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Meals | $3,000 |
| Airfare | $1,100 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total | $6,250.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Program Cost | $17,500 | $21,700 |
Program Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Administrative Fees
- Emergency Medical Access Abroad
** Should you request or be placed in housing outside of the standard placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms. In addition, please be sure you read Umbra's withdrawal policy as you will be held to their policy in addition to Rutgers' Withdrawal Policy should you withdraw from the program.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Meals | $3,000 |
| Airfare | $1,100 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,500 |
| Total | $6,250.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.