Insight into the life of an Everyday Italian

I had a very easy transition into living like an Italian both due to my openness going into the program, as well as the support and opportunities given by the staff at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy. They set up a wide variety of events like pasta making, coffee tasting, winery tours, Italian movie nights, and social nights practicing your italian with local students. The staff really focused on giving the students an overall understanding of the Italian culture through many field trips around the country.

If you are having a hard time adjusting the staff is there to support you. The first week you are there to learn Italian and adjust to the differences in culture between Italy and the US. This was incredibly helpful to have your own personal tour guide/teacher for the week without worrying about school work.

If you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and enter into the "real Italy," beyond Rome and even Florence, then you will get the opportunity to see and live how true Italians live. You are forced more to use and practice your Italian than if you went to Rome. You get to know the local market owner because you shop or eat there everyday. There is a high sense of safety in Perugia because it has a smaller town center, where everyone recognizes everyone.

Once you go to The Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy you will never want to leave. You will arrive a foreigner and leave a local.