Volunteering & Other Community Engagement Initiatives
The Umbra institute seeks to supplement the academic initiatives with a series of extra- and co-curricular activities that help students move beyond the more casual involvement with the local community that is often associated with study abroad and take full advantage of all the learning opportunities that Perugia has to offer.
“Umbra was a great choice for me because there are a lot of opportunities to get involved with the school as well as the community. I really felt at home here. There is time to travel and explore, and at the same time I received a quality education and had an amazing experience!” Jenna Barone, University of Mississippi – Umbra Spring 2011
Volunteering in Perugia
Theatre in English
The HELP Language Association works in and out of state schools, working with young learners from 4 to 18 years old, presenting activities appropriate to each age range to supplement and aid their in-school learning. HELP sets up various English Language projects in state schools in and around Perugia, working in primary, middle and high schools. The Theatre in English projects aim to create a lively, dynamic activity in which spoken English is put into a context where it becomes communicative and meaningful. The volunteers will work alongside the theatre teacher in primary school classes (9 or 10 year-olds), working actively with the children during lessons and performances. The volunteers can learn how to apply drama techniques to language teaching and how those techniques apply to education in a wider sense. This volunteer opportunity may be ideal for education and psychology majors. No language requirement.
UNICEF (Progetto Le Pigotte) 
The Umbra Institute offers a variety of opportunities for students to become involved and give something back to the local community. With UNICEF, an international children’s rights and relief organization, Umbra students work side-by-side with Italian students from the University of Perugia and local UNICEF volunteers to design and sew dolls known as “Le Pigotte.” These dolls are the very symbol of UNICEF in Italy and every week, students work towards creating their own handmade doll. Each doll is then adopted and raises enough money to fund a vaccine kit protecting a child and his/her mother against deadly diseases in developing countries.
The workshops are held twice a week throughout the semester and students are free to decide how much time they’d like to commit to the project. No experience is required, just dedicated people who want to give back! Volunteers show students how to make the dolls and participating is a way to practice Italian, learn about UNICEF, and experience another side of Perugia.
No language requirement.
To learn about volunteer opportunities, contact Julie Falk.
Other Initiatives that make the Umbra Experience “all’italiana”
Italian University Students at The Umbra Institute
Italian university students can earn credit by enrolling in elective courses at Umbra. Sharing the classroom experience with Italian students stimulates discussion on course topics and heightens intercultural awareness and knowledge. As a way to build further ties between American and Italian students, they also participate in various community engagement activities such as volunteer workshops, language tutoring, and the Tandem program.
Using Perugia as a Classroom
Perugia is a medium-sized city with a strong tradition of hosting students from around the world who come to study the Italian language. It is a regional setting in which students are offered an “authentic” environment where Italian can, and often must be used. This sets the stage for a richer study abroad experience. The language classes at the Umbra Institute include a strong cultural component and use the city of Perugia as a living laboratory. Each semester, all students begin with a week-long immersion in the Italian language in which afternoons are dedicated to “Getting Around Town” and include outside-the-classroom exercises and excursions, all conducted in Italian.
Tandem Language Exchange
Tandem is a twice-monthly language exchange between Italian students from the University of Perugia and Umbra Institute students. Each Tandem, students are given a topic of conversation and new vocabulary to practice speaking Italian and English. The relaxed, informal setting outside of the classroom is the perfect place to develop language skills with direct contact between American and Italian students.
Perugia University Cafeteria and Library
The Umbra Institute students have access to a variety of resources through the University of Perugia. These include the student mensa, or cafeteria, where most of the Italian university students meet for affordable meals, and the new humanities library located in the center of Perugia. This library offers extended open hours, Wi-Fi access, and a chance to socialize with other students outside of the Umbra Institute community.
Sporting Events with Italian Students
The Umbra Institute organizes many sporting events, as well as theater and dance classes with local academic institutions and professional artists. Students are able to exercise both their minds and bodies as they play soccer (Italy’s much beloved national sport), practice their skills shooting hoops, or move to the groove in dance class. Examples of past events include improvisational acting classes, salsa lessons, soccer matches, and basketball games.
Educational Workshops
The Umbra Institute offers numerous educational workshops throughout the semester where students can learn about Perugia, Italian cuisine, and how to travel safely while abroad. Past workshops have included a historical walking tour around Perugia; hands-on workshops on Italian pizza, cheese, coffee, wine, and aperitivo; and a travel workshop with practical, money-saving tips and advice.
Academic Symposia with Students and Faculty
Umbra also organizes academic symposia between students and faculty to further explore engaging class discussions or to debate hot topics in the media. Students, as well as a guest Umbra Institute faculty member, converse about how the topic relates to their studies, experiences, questions, and curiosities. An example of a symposium topic might be the debate over organic versus processed foods, followed by a taste test to sate the palate.