The Umbra Institute, A Study Abroad Program

WhAT’S INSIDe?

The Umbra Institute in Perugia

1

About the Umbra Institute

2

The Academic Programs

5

Endless Immersion Opportunities

7

The Umbra Institute Facilities

Student Services and Support

9

Housing, Meals, and Student Life

Travel and Exploration

Umbra Student Activities

11

Community Engagement in Perugia

Who are Umbra Students?

International Studies Institute

in Florence

13

About the International Studies Institute

14

The Academic Programs

17

The Institute Facilities

Student Services and Support

19

Housing, Meals, and Student Life

Travel and Exploration

20

Beyond the Classroom

Learn More and Apply Now

Perugia

Florence

Nestled in the historic center of Perugia, Italy, the Umbra Institute offers semester, year-long, and summer academic programs for U.S. and Italian college and university students. Since its founding in 1999, Umbra has continued to distinguish itself as a provider of innovative and immersive study abroad programming with students learning both in the classroom and beyond through community engagement. The diverse faculty and staff strive to incorporate a genuine Italian experience into all elements of both the academic curriculum and student life. Whether students choose to pursue a course of study taught by Umbra faculty or enroll directly in one of the local Italian universities, their Italian classmates and the welcoming Perugian community provide countless opportunities for cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of Italy’s language and its people.

International Recognition and Accreditation

Through its partnership with Arcadia University, the Umbra Institute is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges. Umbra is an active member of the American Association of College and University programs in Italy (AACUPI), the FORUM on Education Abroad, and NAFSA.

The Università degli Studi di Perugia also distinguishes the Umbra Institute as a provider of credit-bearing courses. Umbra also maintains close academic relations with the prestigious Accademia Belle Arti Perugia and the renowned Universita’ per Stranieri di Perugia. As a result, Umbra enrolls a number of Italian university students into its program every semester.

Studying in Perugia

Located in the heartland of Italy halfway between Rome and Florence, Perugia serves as an ideal backdrop for study abroad. Rich in art, architecture, and historical significance, it is an internationally-recognized city of learning. Perugia is home to nearly 160,000 residents and boasts over 40,000 students at its world-renowned universities as well as studio and performing arts schools.

This welcoming and intimate city combines the elegance of medieval streets with the cosmopolitan appeal of a regional capital. Within its charming old world setting, from the Etruscan city walls to its churches and baroque palaces, you will find a bustling modern city. The main street of Corso Vannucci is a broad pedestrian thoroughfare constantly buzzing with activity, including jazz cafés, concerts, or art exhibits. Perugia offers limitless opportunities to practice one’s language skills and experience authentic Italian life. As the only year-round independent American study abroad program based in Perugia, the Umbra Institute is an ideal place to discover the real Italy—and Italians.

ABOUT The UMBRA INSTITUTe

“The big university town

in a small Italian city.”

The Umbra Institute offers a variety of distinctive academic programs designed to serve the needs of a diverse range of students.

SemeSter ProgramS

The General Studies Program is the most flexible option for a one-semester stay at the Umbra Institute. Students may choose freely from a varied list of elective courses taught in English. Participants may also create curricular concentrations in a given area. All General Studies students are required to take an Italian language course as part of their curriculum and be enrolled in full-time study, usually from 14 to 16 credits.

Language Study at the Umbra Institute

The main vehicle through which people approach and begin to understand a different culture is language. For that reason, all Umbra students are required to study Italian. As they hone their linguistic skills, they also become increasingly active members of their adopted community. This ensures a truly memorable and immersive study abroad experience.

Community Engagement at the Umbra Institute

A study abroad program should be more than a changing of backdrop, which is why the Umbra Institute organizes a multitude of opportunities to immerse fully in the local community. Students participate in academic internships, service learning, volunteering, independent research, and extracurricular activities, allowing them to understand and appreciate Italy in rich and resonant ways. For more details, see page 11.

Direct Enrollment Programs

The Direct Enrollment Programs offer students the unique opportunity to experience Italian university life as a local, studying and living alongside Italian and international students. Enrollment at the University for Foreigners (Università per Stranieri di Perugia) or the University of Perugia (Università degli Studi di Perugia) is possible for a single semester or full year. Umbra professors and staff provide a support network through weekly tutorials, extracurricular activities, and excursions. The program at the Università per Stranieri, the oldest and most prestigious institution for the study of Italian language, is designed for students of all levels to focus exclusively on the study of Italian language and culture. Full linguistic immersion is widely recognized as one of the best ways to achieve fluency as well as fully appreciate everyday life in Italy.

The program at the Università degli Studi has a prerequisite of four semesters of Italian language courses (level B2 of the Common European Framework of language proficiency) and allows students to enroll in a variety of courses, including the Humanities, Politics, Science, and Engineering departments. Students enjoy the possibility to be fully immersed in the Italian academic atmosphere, including living in Italian student dorms.

Food Studies Program

The Food Studies Program is a curricular concentration consisting of three courses in food studies, an Italian language course, and an optional elective. The program focuses on the history, politics, and culture of food, as well as production, sustainability, new technology, and related businesses in the food industry. Each course includes a series of co- and extracurricular activities. Students visit production facilities, farms, and businesses; participate in workshops and cooking classes; and even learn the marketing of wine by helping a local winery export their products to the United States.

SamPle CourSe offeringS at umbra

Pagans and Christians: Ancient Mediterranean Religions Roman Civilization and Daily Life

Roman Empire art & art History

Art, Architecture, and Culture in Fascist Italy Survey of Italian Renaissance and Mannerist Art 1300-1580 †

Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Genius and Scientist Fresco Painting †

Pastel Drawing in Perugia † Photography I: Portfolio of Italy *† The Medieval Artist: Tools and Techniques food Studies

Business of Wine: Italy and Beyond* Sustainability and Food Production in Italy* The History and Culture of Food in Italy

Honors & independent research Advanced Research Project Research Writing & Methodology international business & economics Business in Europe: Environment & Practices* Business of Wine: Italy and Beyond* International Marketing*

Politics and Economics of the European Union internships & Community Studies Academic Internship and Seminar - Education* Academic Internship and Seminar - Fair Trade* Academic Internship and Seminar - Museum* Urban Spaces: Rebuilding Community in Perugia* italian & interdisciplinary Studies

Constructing a National Identity – History, Culture, Art and Society in 19th Century Italy* Contemporary Italy: Culture, Society and Trends* History and Politics of Modern Italy: From the Risorgimento to the Present

Modern Italy: History, Folkloristic Traditions, La Dolce Vita †

italian language & literature Italian Language (All Levels) †

Italian Language & Culture Program: Direct Enrollment Italian Tales and Stories: Creative Writing through Literary Models

Italy of the Literary Imagination

Mafia, Murder, and Mystery: Crime in Contemporary Italian Literature and Cinema

Il Racconto Italiano: The Italian Short Story Psychology

Community-Based Research in Psychology* Human Development in Culture* Women’s Studies

Saints, Sinners and Harlots: Medieval Women in Central Italy

* indicates a course with a service learning project † _{indicates courses also offered during the summer}

With tens of thousands of

Italian and international

students, Perugia is known

as Italy’s “University

City”—a stage for global

cultural exchange and the

perfect backdrop for your

study abroad experience.

The Umbra Institute provides a comprehensive support network and enriching co- and extracurricular activities to enhance each student’s experience.

Perugia as a Classroom

The Umbra language curriculum incorporates a robust cultural component in which students apply their linguistic skills to real-world situations such as grocery shopping, traveling by public transportation, ordering at a restaurant, and living in an Italian apartment. They frequently participate in activities around Perugia that allow for interactions with native speakers.

Italian University Students at the Umbra Institute

Italian university students can enroll in elective courses in the General Studies Program. Sharing the classroom with Italian students stimulates discussion, broadens intercultural awareness, and deepens cross-cultural understanding.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students can volunteer their time at local non-profit organizations throughout the semester as a way to give back to the host community. See page 11 for more details.

Tandem Language Exchange

Tandem is an informal language exchange session between Umbra and Italian university students at a local café based on different enjoyable themes to foster interaction and discussion such as movies, hobbies, trivia, and karaoke.

Umbra Social Events and Activities

Throughout the semester, Umbra hosts many social events and activities to create a sense of community amongst students. These include pizza nights, professional wine tastings, cooking classes, student debates, film screenings, day trips, and theater nights, among others. For sports enthusiasts, Umbra sponsors athletic events with Italian students such as basketball games, soccer games, and Zumba at Umbra. During the final week of class, Umbra also arranges literary readings and an art show open to the larger community.

Dedicated Expert Faculty

The Umbra Institute draws expert faculty with terminal degrees from American universities, as well as Italian and European academic institutions. For detailed profiles on all Umbra faculty, please visit the Academics section of our website.

eNDLeSS IMMeRSION OPPORTUNITIeS

UMBRA exCLUSIve!

Umbra is the only study abroad program that provides

credit-bearing courses for the local university. Your

classmates will also be the many Italian students

from the University of Perugia who participate in the

Umbra program each semester.

Summer ProgramS

The General Studies Program runs for five weeks from late May through June. This program allows students to choose one or two courses (maximum of eight credits) from a diverse list, including Italian language, offered each summer. Nearly all of the classes have field trips and excursions as part of the curriculum. Beyond their academic engagements, students will find a variety of co- and extracurricular activities, and an optional weekend trip to the island of Capri or a Tuscan farmhouse. Classes are not held on Fridays to allow for extended weekends spent exploring the many historical and picturesque cities in Italy and Europe.

Intensive Italian through Culture

The Intensive Italian Language through Culture summer program runs for six weeks from the beginning of June through mid-July. This highly specialized program is taught entirely in Italian at all levels. The program consists of 120 contact hours based on full-time study, co-curricular cultural activities, and special events.

The main building is located in Perugia’s central piazza, next to the historic duomo, or cathedral. The facility offers numerous classrooms, administrative offices, a library, and study rooms with computers available for student use. All classrooms are equipped with large flat-screen HD displays, digital projectors, and DVD/CD capabilities. Wi-Fi coverage, as well as free printing and photocopying, are available throughout the facility.

The second Umbra building is an early Renaissance palace, the former home of the noble Oddi family. It is used principally for art classes, including Fresco Painting, Drawing, and Digital Photography, and also includes a new computer lab and the Umbra Housing Office.

The UMBRA INSTITUTe FACILITIeS

STUDeNT SeRvICeS AND SUPPORT

The Umbra orientation provides students with the necessary linguistic and practical foundations for exploring Perugia and making the most of academic and Italian life. After being met by staff at Rome’s Fiumicino airport and transferred by private coach bus to Perugia, students are housed for a night in a hotel and greeted with a traditional Umbrian welcome dinner. They receive orientation packets with vital information such as housing assignments and maps of the city, and have the opportunity to rent a European cell phone. The following morning, private shuttles deliver students to their new apartments, where they are met by a landlord or Umbra staff members to answer any questions.

After their arrival in Perugia, all students participate in a comprehensive set of activities led by staff and designed to introduce students to the Umbra Institute: the city of Perugia; Italian life, culture, and language; academic procedures; health and safety; and student services. Practical and historical tours of the city give students a first glimpse of their adopted home, including its local stores, the post office, public transportation, and important landmarks. Students also learn about community engagement opportunities, purchasing books and supplies, traveling safely and affordably, and, most importantly, getting the most out of their study abroad experience.

Health and Safety

Student health and safety is a priority. The Umbra Institute addresses these issues at length with students during orientation and throughout the program. When it comes to illness, injuries, or any other special needs that require attention, the Umbra Institute has established protocols that bring quick and reliable assistance. The Umbra Institute provides a 24-hour hotline in case of an emergency.

Each semester, Umbra

students team up to produce

a revised edition of the famed

“Umbra Institute Students’

Guide to Perugia.”

Umbra students are well-integrated into the daily life of the school and city. The Housing Office selects and coordinates student housing in apartments or university residences with Italian students throughout the city center. All accommodations are within a short walking distance of the Italian universities and the Umbra Institute. Meals can be prepared or purchased in the university cafeteria or in one of the many affordable Perugian restaurants, trattorias, and

pizzerias. There is a well-established student social scene, where Umbra students take full advantage of the public spaces, pubs, and cafés brimming with Italian and international students.

University of Perugia Cafeteria and Library

Umbra students have full access to a variety of resources including the University of Perugia mensa, or cafeteria, where most of the Italian university students meet for affordable meals, and the new humanities library just steps away from the Umbra Institute with extended hours, Wi-Fi access, and a chance to socialize with Italian students.

hOUSING, MeALS, AND STUDeNT LIFe

Besides being a trendy university city, Perugia is located in the lush heart of Italy near the picturesque towns of Siena, Assisi, and Cortona. With Florence just to the north and Rome to the south, Perugia is the perfect starting point for exploration; the extensive train and bus system can take you anywhere in the country. Perugia’s local airport offers international flights to multiple European destinations on low-cost airlines.

Course Field Trips

Nearly all Umbra courses have class-related excursions such as visits to churches, museums, and excavations throughout Umbria, Tuscany, and Lazio; exploration of ancient libraries and printing presses; studying sustainable vineyards and olive groves; or participating in Etruscan digs.

Optional Excursions

Umbra also offers an optional weekend trip and day trips each semester. These trips may include out-of-town destinations such as Capri, Sorrento, Naples, Venice, and Cinque Terre, or they may be closer to home, such as Cortona or the nearby Perugina chocolate factory.

TRAveL AND exPLORATION

PICk YOUR PAD!

Choose from furnished apartments with other Umbra students, housing with Italian

and/or international students, or go full-immersion in a homestay with locals.

• How to travel in Europe workshop • Pizza-making workshop

• Italian coffee, cheese, aperitivo, and olive oil workshops

• Optional trips to discover Italy • Social pizza and gelato nights • Theater and film nights

• Soccer and basketball games with Italian students • Tandem language exchange program

• Student art show and creative writing readings • Reentry preparation workshop

• Zumba at Umbra

UMBRA STUDeNT ACTIvITIeS

General Studies students

have no classes scheduled on

Fridays to allow ample time

for academic field trips and

Perugia’s small size and Umbra’s well-established relationships with community partners—local artisans, internationally-recognized companies, schools, city and regional government, fair-trade cooperative and festivals, museums, and Italian families—allow Umbra to combine language study, volunteerism, civic engagement, and cultural immersion.

oPPortunitieS for engagement

Students can enroll in one of the Academic Internship and Seminar courses, which have two main components: one experiential (internship) and one reflective (seminar). The field-based internships provide students with direct experience in an international work setting and are accompanied by a weekly seminar in which students gain theoretical knowledge applicable to the internship site.

Courses with a

Service Learning Component

Students become active participants in community partner projects incorporated into many General Studies Program courses. Project details can be found in the course descriptions.

Community-Based Research in Psychology

This course introduces students to psychology research in collaboration with numerous community partners to complete a field research project and gain new insights into intercultural differences.

Urban Spaces: Rebuilding Community in Perugia

Students in this course will explore firsthand Perugian neighborhood spaces, meet and interview key residents, and attend as well as organize community cultural activities.

Independent Research with Local Partners

This option allows students to complete significant community-based research on a topic of their choice as one component of their study abroad experience.

Volunteering

The Umbra Institute has a variety of different volunteer opportunities throughout the academic year. Students may assist teachers during English language classes in local public and private schools; participate in after school activities for youth with special needs; help at a local agriturismo with the grape and olive harvests; guide children in science experiments at the POST Science Museum; make dolls at the UNICEF Pigotta workshop, or support Italian NGO’s with local projects.

Summer Internships

Available to students who attend Umbra for at least one semester, this one-month, non-credit-bearing internship further explores Italian business culture at a local company or winery.

Cooperative Education Opportunities (Co-Op)

Co-Ops are full-time, compensated internships with employers in a variety of fields including hospitality, graphic design, international education, tourism, journalism, and museum studies.

For detailed information regarding current Community Engagement offerings, visit www.umbra.org/engage.

COMMUNITY eNGAGeMeNT IN PeRUGIA

The academic programs are designed for U.S. college and university students regardless of their major or Italian proficiency. With a growing number of Italian students from the University of Perugia enrolling in Umbra courses, the classroom has diversified and makes for richer discussions and friendships. Learn more about current students and their experiences in Perugia by visiting Umbra’s blog at www.umbra.org/blog and search for Umbra Institute on Facebook.

ASk OTheR STUDeNTS

Students are encouraged to visit the Prospective

Students section of the Umbra website to read

former student profiles and to contact them directly

with inquiries about the Umbra experience. College

study abroad offices may also have former Umbra

student contacts.

Situated in the heart of charming Tuscany’s best-loved city, Florence, the International Studies Institute (ISI Florence) offers semester, year-long, and summer academic programs to students of U.S. and international colleges and universities.

Established in 2001 as a non-profit organization for higher education, ISI is deeply rooted in the liberal arts tradition and is internationally recognized for the high caliber of its faculty, staff, and services. ISI is committed to providing students with a safe and rewarding educational experience of exceptional quality, offering both a strong academic core and a wide variety of cultural immersion and exchange opportunities.

Inspired by its extraordinary setting in the cradle of the Renaissance, ISI strives to develop in all students a desire for learning that will make their semester abroad a life-changing experience.

The program also functions as a consortium for public universities, including the following American and Australian partners to date: Penn State, UConn, UVA, ASU, and Melbourne.

Recognition and Accreditation

Our partner institutions and affiliates share our objectives and educational philosophy. They work closely with ISI to foster intellectual and cultural exchange through lectures, seminars, publications, demonstration projects, and public dissemination of educational achievements.

ISI is recognized by the Ministry of Education and is a member of the American Association of College and University programs in Italy (AACUPI), the Forum on Education Abroad, and NAFSA.

The Institute’s academic program is accredited by its partnerships with Connecticut College (Connecticut) and Roger Williams University (Rhode Island) and is the legal seat of the University of Connecticut Florence Program.

The Institute maintains affiliations with a number of other institutions including Marywood University, Quinnipiac University, Rutgers University and many more. ISI is always willing to collaborate with new academic partners whose participants will contribute positively to student life at the Institute.

ABOUT The INTeRNATIONAL STUDIeS INSTITUTe

Studying in Florence

With several thousand years of civilization woven into the fabric of a dynamic, contemporary city, Florence embodies all that the Renaissance sought to bring back to life. Bordered by its famous countryside of pine- and cypress-dotted hills, lush vineyards, and olive groves, the Florence of today is an innovative European cultural center as well as a thriving university city.

While living in Florence, students will have the opportunity to walk the same medieval streets as Dante, look upon the great works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and stand within the massive halls that once housed Medici homes and businesses—all while standing atop ancient Roman ruins. Surrounded by the statuesque relics of the Renaissance and the relentless push of forward progress, Florence pairs a depth of ancient character with an enterprising mindset, creating a vibrant melting pot of old and new.

The Institute offers courses in a wide range of subjects, including: studio arts, art history, history and political science, Italian language and literature, international business, interdisciplinary studies in the humanities, and more. Courses are designed to integrate the local resources and immerse students into the Florentine environment through on-site learning and a variety of co-curricular activities, such as field trips, museum visits, academic excursions, and artistic performances. These rich cultural offerings serve to deepen and enhance classroom instruction.

General Studies Program

The ISI Florence General Studies Program is widely recognized for its diversity and excellence. All students are required to take Italian language for a total of four credits. A number of elective courses taught in English (three credits each) are available in various subject areas.

Architecture Programs

The history of design is one of conflicting viewpoints: old versus new, traditional versus visionary. The ISI Architecture Program (five credits for each studio class) takes students on a semester-long journey into the heart of this ongoing dialogue. Through a combination of academic theory and professional experience, students find a balance between creation and conservation, aesthetics and technical quality, as well as national and international perspectives. The first Architecture Program was established in 2001 in cooperation with the Roger Williams University School of Architecture, which maintains its own study abroad program at ISI. In 2011, a second ISI-sponsored program was established with Marywood University School of Architecture and is open to all students majoring in architecture who qualify for admission.

All architecture students are provided with a wealth of opportunities to work alongside Italian and European professional architects, skilled instructors who liaise with local communities and institutions in their own urban context. Designed for qualified students who have completed at least two years of architectural studies, the program aims to inspire and stimulate intellectual growth while also equipping students with the practical skills needed to pursue a professional career. ISI is a place where creativity meets practical know-how, all under the shadow of Brunelleschi’s great dome: a compelling milieu for any aspiring architect!

Sustainable Food and Environmental Systems Program

The SFESP is tailored for undergraduate students of agricultural sciences, environmental studies, nutritional science, economics, business administration, sociology, and history, as well as for those generally interested in food and sustainability studies. The program invites applicants to explore the social, cultural, political, ecological, and economic implications of how food is produced, transformed, distributed, prepared, and consumed in Italy. Students learn directly from Italian farmers and producers, sales and marketing professionals, and world-class chefs. Field experiences and tours of the countryside range from one to fours days, including: • Emilia Romagna: Visit dairy and livestock farms to

learn how cheese and meat products are made. • Chianti: Experience life on typical Tuscan farms

and learn organic winemaking at top wineries. • Florence: Delve into the fascinating Florentine

food system, including the mouthwatering

bistecca alla fiorentina.

• Maremma: Explore biodiversity in a splendid Tuscan natural reserve by the seaside.

Curricular Concentrations

Students may design a program centered on a particular field of interest by creating a thematic study plan. If interested in this option, students can consult their home institution advisors to develop a customized curricular concentration that best fits their needs and interests. ISI’s complete course listing can be found at www.isiflorence.org. In the past, students have created curricular concentrations in art history, Italian studies, history, Renaissance studies, modern Italian culture and society, visual arts, and more.

Dedicated Faculty

At ISI Florence, classes are taught by international faculty members with a demonstrated passion for their subjects. ISI requires that all professors hold a Ph.D. or its equivalent in their given fields, as well as maintain a steady presence in the wider academic world through publications, conferences, and active participation in research and practical application. Their extensive experience allows ISI to maintain our high academic standards. ISI faculty members are devoted to challenging students in all aspects of their study abroad experience, aiming to foster a new understanding of international travel, cultural integration, and personal growth. For more detailed information on our faculty, please visit the Academics section of our website.

SamPle CourSe offeringS at iSi

anthropology/Sociology

Identity and Culture in Italy: A Comparative Approach Cultural Literacy Workshops: Pathways to Intercultural Competence

Cultural Diversity in Education architecture

Advanced Topical Design Studio: Urban

Architecture in Context: City, Spaces and Urban Design Special Topics: The Villa and the Garden

Architecture in Italy

Advanced Architecture Design Studio VII art & art History

The Art of Florence: Exploring Visual Culture Special Topics in Art History: Michelangelo Special Topics in Art History: Leonardo Special Topics: The Villa and the Garden History of Italian Art I & II (Ancient to Bernini) Architecture in Italy: History & Preservation

Classical Studies & medieval History Archaeology and Art of Ancient Italy Ancient Rome and the Mediterranean Field Archaeology

Architecture: Roman to Early Christian Early Medieval Society

History & Political Science The European Union

History and Politics of Modern Italy: The Twentieth Century

The History & Culture of Food: A Comparative Analysis Florence: The Story of the City

international business

The Business of Art: The Economics and Management of Culture

Family Business in Italy interdisciplinary

The History & Culture of Food: A Comparative Analysis The Rise of the Underdog: Women, Merchants, and Artists in Early Renaissance Florence

italian language & literature

Italian Language 101-202: The Florence Experience I-IV Advanced Italian: The Florence Experience V

Readings in Italian Literature: A Journey into Italian Theater (in Italian)

Studio arts

Introduction to Photography: Portfolio of Florence The Art of Buon Fresco

Drawing: The Human Figure Sustainability & food Studies

Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: An Environmental History Perspective The Business of Sustainable Food Supply Chains in Italy Sustainability of Food and Environmental Systems in the US and Italy: A Comparative Perspective

Summer Program

The Summer Program consists of a variety of elective courses (three credits each) taken from our General Studies Program. While students are not required to take Italian language, they will spend an intensive six-week period exploring the other classes available, all of which are recognized for their highly qualified professors and challenging academic content. These courses are available in a broad range of subjects. Visit our website for a current list of course offerings and to learn more about the summer session experience.

ISI consists of three buildings. The two primary locations are Palazzo Rucellai and Palazzo Bargagli. The third is the Renaissance art studio or bottega in Palazzo Federighi. All three locations are in the lively, thriving heart of Florence.

Palazzo Rucellai

ISI Florence is located on the main floor of Palazzo Rucellai, an historic residential palace designed in the mid-fifteenth century by Leon Battista Alberti, eminent Renaissance humanist, scholar, and architect. Located in the city center on the splendid Via della Vigna Nuova, Palazzo Rucellai is one of the oldest and most prestigious patrician residences in Florence. It has been home to the Rucellai family for more than 500 years, and they continue to occupy portions of the building to this day.

Palazzo Bargagli

Palazzo Bargagli was constructed as a patrician residence in the fourteenth century. Originally in the hands of a famous Florentine banking family, the Bardi, before becoming property of the Sienese Bargagli, it was completely refurbished at the turn of the 20th century and recently modernized in 2009. The property is located on Corso Tintori, one block from the National Library and a stone’s throw from beautiful Piazza Santa Croce.

Palazzo Federighi

The ISI Art Workshop is housed in a two-room studio. The first room features walls prepared with a bare, rough layer of plaster—ready for students to learn fresco techniques just as the Renaissance masters did. The second room is used for oil painting, watercolor, and sketching classes. According to archival documents, the studio has served as an art workshop since the late Middle Ages. Palazzo Federighi affords modern-day artists a thrilling atmosphere in which to dream and create contemporary artistic works using Renaissance techniques.

The INSTITUTe FACILITIeS

STUDeNT SeRvICeS AND SUPPORT

Studying abroad is a singular life experience and certain aspects may seem overwhelming. ISI Florence aims to prepare students by offering practical information and personalized advice. The staff organizes Skype meetings with incoming students to discuss essentials: packing, financial and medical preparation, arrival procedures, orientation, the academic add-drop period, and course enrollment. All students are provided with a pre-departure handbook containing essential information and suggestions, and ISI staff are always available to answer any questions that may arise.

Orientation

The orientation process at ISI Florence aims to provide students with the necessary tools to begin exploring Florence and capitalizing on both academic and extracurricular life in Italy. Students are greeted by ISI staff at the Florence Airport upon arrival and transferred via taxi to their assigned apartments in the city center. Additional staff members meet students at their apartments to answer any questions and distribute welcome folders. These folders contain informational housing and conduct documents, as well as maps of the city detailing the locations of ISI facilities, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

Over the first few days in Florence, students are introduced to all aspects of ISI Florence. The staff leads presentations on academic procedures, health, and safety, student services and—most importantly —the city of Florence, Italian lifestyle, culture, and language. Students engage in informational tours of the city—a first glance at their adopted home. Opportunities to purchase or rent Italian cellphones and SIM cards, buy textbooks, and sign up for the many extracurricular activities are also available. Orientation is, above all, a step toward helping students realize the potential for incredible personal growth during their time abroad. At ISI Florence, it is our goal to provide all the necessary ingredients for students to make their experience enjoyable and unforgettable.

Experienced Student Services Staff

ISI Florence staff and student services team provide students with a dependable and engaged support system from the moment of arrival to the day of departure. With extensive experience in international education, staff members provide day-to-day guidance as well as offer tips on traveling abroad and adapting to their new country.

Health and Safety

Health and safety are ISI’s foremost priorities. Students will be informed regarding appropriate behavior in Italy and personal safety by an Italian police officer during orientation. Procedures have been established to address illness, injury, and other special needs requiring attention. Staff members provide reliable assistance in seeking out medical help and an emergency hotline is available 24/7. Italy is generally considered safe for American students. Nevertheless ISI Florence takes steps to minimize any potential danger.

Get a taste of daily life at the Institute:

www.isiforence.org/blog

HigHligHtS of iSi florenCe Program

State-of-the-art facilities

Quality academic courses taught by dedicated international faculty

Pre-program and pre-departure assistance Airport pick-up in Florence and transfer to private apartments

Comprehensive orientation program including practical city walking tour, student handbooks, and guides Italian cell phones and SIM cards options Co-curricular field trips to world-renowned historic sites and famous cities

Mandatory Italian language courses to learn practical communication skills Extracurricular cultural activities, including cooking, sports, pizza-making, tandem language exchange, soccer games, and more

Centrally located student housing with Wi-Fi access

Experienced and committed administration and staff offering unparalleled student services with help desk and emergency hotline available 24/7

All ISI students share apartments with other program participants. Apartments are within walking distance of ISI Florence facilities and come with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, communal living space, and wireless internet. The student services staff is available throughout the term to provide assistance with housing maintenance and utilities. Students also have the opportunity to buy a meal plan which allows access to the University of Florence dining facilities located in the city center. ISI student life incorporates all aspects of study abroad, including academic study, social interaction, local festivities, and cultural immersion. With Florence’s well-established university population, there are ample opportunities to mingle amongst Italian and European peers in the countless public areas around the city. The more students engage with Florence and its people, the more transformative and fulfilling their experience will be.

hOUSING, MeALS, AND STUDeNT LIFe

TRAveL AND exPLORATION

A day trip to Chianti is offered free of charge in the fall and spring semesters. Students leave the bustling center of Florence to breathe the fresh air of the Tuscan countryside and visit a local vineyard. After touring the wine cellar and learning about how wine and olive oil are made, the group enjoys a typical Italian lunch. The afternoon is spent strolling through the fields underneath the balmy sunshine. This trip is always a favorite and a great way to get to know fellow students.

Course Field Trips

Course field trips are an integral part of academic life at ISI Florence. Professors organize course-specific trips in order to supplement in-class activities and engage students in the practical application of their studies. Students then have the opportunity to visit medieval and Renaissance churches, museums filled with the breathtaking work of the old masters, vineyards and olive groves, archaeological sites, and renowned Italian cities such as Rome, Milan, and Venice. ISI Florence strives to take advantage of the wealth of cultural resources available, providing an enriching experience both in and out of the classroom.

Optional Excursions

In addition to cultural activities and course-related site visits, ISI organizes several optional day trips. These excursions are an excellent opportunity to visit the fascinating and historical towns in Tuscany and relax with fellow students. A few include:

Pisa and lucca: An ISI professor guides students through a visit to the famous Leaning Tower and other sites in the medieval city of Pisa. The afternoon is spent in Lucca, bike riding along the Renaissance city walls.

Siena and San gimignano: With the guidance of an ISI professor, students begin the day visiting charming Siena, a thirteenth-century city renowned for its legendary summer horse race, the Palio. In the afternoon, students visit a second town, San Gimignano, with its famous medieval towers and gorgeously frescoed churches.

The ISI student services team is dedicated to organizing exciting and unique cultural activities around Florence and Italy. These events are optional but highly recommended—they are excellent opportunities to immerse more fully into the Florentine lifestyle. A few examples include: cooking lessons; language aperitivi with international and Italian students; a citywide soccer tournament; night at the opera; 5 and 10k runs for charity; local festivals and fairs, and food tastings of all sorts. New activities are introduced throughout the semester based on what events are happening in the area.

Community Engagement

By organizing a wide variety of co- and extracurricular activities, the Institute encourages integration into the local community. This practice is further advanced through our community engagement initiatives. As part of our efforts to help students gain valuable cross-cultural experience in an international setting, ISI provides many opportunities for volunteerism and service learning. These projects give students invaluable hands-on experience and an extraordinary out-of-classroom exposure to the culture, language, and people of Italy. Service-learning opportunities are offered in education, journalism, environmental care, museum guiding, fundraising for nonprofit organizations, and many other fields. If you do not see something that interests you, ISI will work to facilitate a service-learning option that is both inspiring and fulfilling.

CULTURAL ACTIvITIeS AND eveNTS

The Umbra Institute programs are designed for motivated college and university students who are eager to immerse themselves in all aspects of Italian life, language, and culture. Perugia is the destination of choice for students who prefer a less touristy small-town university campus-like environment where they are able to study and use the Italian language daily, make friends, and interact closely with locals, and become integrated with the large native and international university student community that Perugia is famous for in Italy. The Umbra Institute works closely with two nationally-recognized study abroad providers, the Arcadia University

ISI Florence programs are designed to incorporate all that the renowned Renaissance city has to offer; from its many museums, churches, and galleries to its fascinating architectural accomplishments and spacious piazzas. Florence is a destination for students who are receptive to a larger American student community and a more tourist-oriented Italian city but appreciate the benefits of living amongst artistic treasures and the charm of the Italian Renaissance at their doorstep.

ISI is the university-sponsored program provider for a number for colleges and universities including Penn State, UConn,

LeARN MORe AND APPLY NOW!

Both Umbra and ISI offer a wide variety of courses from which to choose. More importantly, both provide students with a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable study abroad experience in Italy. Although both student services and academic standards are second to none, the student life and daily experiences in Perugia and Florence are very different. Each location offers its own set of unique attributes which help different types of students thrive in their new Italian environment. We strongly suggest that you read about each institute’s

programs and location characteristics so that you can select the program and location that is best for you.

Ask Other Students

What better way to learn about a program than by speaking with former program participants? Students are encouraged to visit the Prospective Students section of the Umbra and ISI websites and contact former participants about their experiences. Our recent alumni know the programs well and are happy to share their

experiences and advice. So, take advantage of this helpful opportunity!

Regardless of which destination you choose, Florence or Perugia, as a student with us you will learn from some of the finest and most-dedicated international scholars, benefit from our complete services from pre-departure to return home, and experience firsthand the countless wonders of the Italian peninsula and beyond with numerous co- and extracurricular excursions organized by the Institutes and with friends.

The Umbra InsTITUTe In PerUgIa

Piazza IV novembre, 23, 06123 Perugia, Italy

www.umbra.org

InTernaTIonal sTUdIes InsTITUTe In Florence

Via della Vigna Nuova 18, 50123 Florence, Italy

www.isiflorence.org