Extra- and Co-Curricular Activities
Beyond the in-class academics at Umbra, students have the opportunity to pursue other avenues of learning. Class trips and organized weekend adventures are designed to take full advantage of the cultural opportunities that abound in Perugia and throughout Italy.
Class Trips
Most of the classes at Umbra offer course-related excursions designed to enrich a student’s appreciation of material studied in the classroom. Our students visit churches and museums throughout Umbria and Tuscany, explore ancient libraries and printing presses, work in vineyards and olive groves, participate in Etruscan digs, and sometimes participate in International theater groups. Umbra consistently seeks ways of taking advantage of the rich resources of the Italian cultural community in order to supplement the academic program and the student experience.
Optional School Trips
Umbra also offers students several optional day and weekend trips throughout the semester. These trips may include out-of-town destinations such as Capri, Sorrento, Venice, Cinque Terre or may be closer to home, such as Cortona or the nearby Perugina Chocolate factory. Weekend hiking and camping opportunities are also available in the hills and mountains surrounding Perugia. While these trips are recreational, there are plenty of opportunities to learn something from the experience. The optional trips are offered at the most affordable prices possible.
Internships, Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
The Umbra Institute actively seeks internships for students who are interested in participating fully in the local culture. Although internship opportunities are limited and often require some proficiency in the language, we have been able to find work for our students in local law offices, schools, hospitals, and restaurants. Our close relationship with the City of Perugia offers a variety of credit-bearing service learning opportunities where students can interact with and offer services to the local community. Umbra has also recently developed relationships with local volunteer organizations. Activities include a forest clean-up day with World Wildlife Fund of Italy and hospital visits and fundraising events with the Daniele Chianelli Foundation. Students interested in such opportunities should inform the Umbra admissions office well in advance of the semester.
Umbra Activities and Events 
Umbra offers many in-house events throughout the semester designed to enhance student social life. These activities have included pasta and pizza nights, wine-making and wine tasting events, cooking classes, student debates, film screenings, and cycling and hiking expeditions. Umbra’s own Zach Nowak leads a “Nooks and Crannies” tour each semester to introduce students to Perugia’s lesser known spots; he also offers classes in cheese and sausage making, and an optional trip to a nearby hot springs. The Institute has also sponsored musical performances, literary readings and art shows with free admission to residents of the city.
Tandem Language Exchange Program
One of the things we don’t want students to do is to spend all their free time with only American friends, speaking nothing but English. At Umbra we are passionate about cultural immersion and, to further this aim, we offer a language exchange program called “Tandem.” This is an informal gathering of Umbra students with Italian students from local universities who serve as language partners and tutors. Interaction can come in various forms, such as meeting at local cafes or pizzerias, studying or traveling together, or socializing at Umbra cultural events.
Showcase Your Talents!
At the end of each semester, the Umbra Institute hosts a farewell festa and a week of student activities including the student art show, research project poster sessions, and a creative writing open-mic night so students can share their semester’s accomplishments.