Student Life in Perugia
A Charmed Life
Any real estate agent will tell you there are three things to consider when buying a piece of property: location, location, location. And although you’re not house hunting, let’s face it: location matters when choosing a study abroad program. So what’s so special about Perugia, Italy?
This city owes much of its appeal to the thriving student scene, making it an ideal place for a study abroad program. Often referred to as Italy’s “university city,” Perugia is home to over 40,000 students who attend both the Università degli Studi di Perugia, one of the oldest universities in the world, and the Università per Stranieri, a school that boasts a large number of international students. The result is a city rich in cultural flavor, one that is constantly injected with new life and vigor from its diverse student population. Whether you venture out amidst the bustle of Corso Vanucci or socialize on the steps of Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia’s energy is unavoidable. And with the endless number of restaurants, jazz cafes, piano bars, cinemas, museums, and theatres, there’s never a shortage of things to see and do.
Total Population: ˜158,000
Student Population: ˜40,000
Location: Central Umbria; 80 miles north of Rome and 70 miles south of Florence.
Symbol: The Griffin.
Famous Export: Baci, the predecessor of the Hershey’s Kiss.
As a student in Perugia, you will have the chance to truly engage yourself in Italian life and culture. Opportunities to learn the language and mingle with the locals are everywhere. Whereas students who study in bigger cities like Rome and Florence often find themselves unable to move beyond the tourist sphere, you will have daily opportunities to come face to face with the real Italy. The city of Perugia is your classroom, and by taking advantage of all it has to offer, you can ensure that your study abroad experience is one of a kind.
Room & Board
To help facilitate a smooth transition into life in Perugia, the Umbra Institute provides housing in beautiful apartments situated throughout the city center. Apartments are shared, and most house between two and six Umbra students; to see pictures of some of Umbra’s apartments, go to our Housing Photo Page. Students participating in the Italian Language & Culture Program and those enrolled at the Università degli Studi di Perugia will be housed with either Italian or international students, providing additional chances for honing language skills. If you are interested in getting an up-close and personal taste of Italian life, there are also opportunities to stay with a host family. All student housing is within walking distance of the historic center and the Institute’s four buildings, and you’ll find that walking through the city is an extremely easy, pleasant, and social experience…after just a few weeks in Perugia, you’re sure to bump into people you know while out and about.
As there is no meal plan for the Umbra program, 
students are encouraged to cook for themselves. All apartments are stocked with basic kitchen utensils, and many a pleasant dinner party has been hosted by Umbra students in the past; often, students discover new talents and interests while in the kitchen, ones that will continue to benefit you once you’ve returned home. If cooking just isn’t your thing, the Università per Stranieri offers low-price cafeteria meals, and the Umbra student ID card is valid for discounts at many trattorias, pizzerias, and pubs around the city. After all, it is Italy: savory food is never far away.
Beyond the Classroom
The Umbra Institute hosts many events, giving students the chance to participate in wine tastings, weekend trips, walking tours, tandem language exchange with Italians, pizza nights, art and talent shows, and cooking classes, just to name a few.
In addition
to Umbra-sponsored activities, students can take advantage of the many shows, exhibitions, and events offered by the city of Perugia, most of which offer deep student discounts. The Fondazione Perugia Musica Classica puts on concerts almost every week for those interested in classical music, and students can choose from a wide selection of productions at Teatro Morlacchi. Perugia also hosts two annual festivals that attract worldwide attention: Eurochocolate, a celebration held each October, is an eight-day paradise for any chocolate lover, a magical time 
when the streets of Perugia overflow with scrumptious and delectable treats. The city is also the hub of Umbria Jazz, the renowned summer jazz festival that has flourished since 1973. Other events include Arte in Piazza, Perugia International Film Festival, Renaissance Festival and more! The Comune di Perugia website highlights the events and activities taking place in the city each week.
For students who are seeking even more adventure, Università per Stranieri’s Social Center organizes a number of sporting events, concerts, and films in Italian, all of which are free to students. Umbra students can also take part in the Università’s “Coro da Camera,” a student choir which performs regularly at both the university and outside venues. Perugia also has a number of sports facilities including gyms, swimming pools, tracks, and tennis courts that are available to students at reduced prices. As a student at Umbra, you will also enjoy membership in E-Generation, affording you the chance to partake in a variety of activities with Italian and international students from the Università di Perugia’s student association.
In Conclusion…
It’s hard to think of a better place to study abroad than Perugia, Italy. After a semester or year in Perugia, you’ll walk away with a bevy of memories, experiences, and lessons that will last a lifetime. But don’t take our word for it: ask former students to get the insider’s perspective on studying at Umbra. We hope you’ll join the ranks of students who call Perugia home!