A day in the life of an Umbra Student
An opinion piece by Elke Schrenk, Spring 2026
When preparing to study abroad, it is helpful to have an idea of what daily life is like in Italy. Here, I will walk through what I did on Tuesday, February 17 in order to shed some light on what studying in Perugia is really like.
Morning
I woke up naturally, around 8am, to sunlight pouring into my window. The average weather in Perugia in the time I have been here has been 40-50º F, with quite a bit of rain but not snow. Compared to the Midwestern winter I left behind to come here, I am feeling grateful for the ability to walk outside without a hat and gloves.
Typically I eat breakfast in my apartment, usually yogurt and coffee from our moka pot. We have a large dining room with two balconies, featuring a stunning view of the surrounding terracotta rooftops. I did some light reading for my classes before heading into the city center. At 9:30am, my first stop was Caffè Baglioni, a small, bustling hub for pastries, sandwiches and, most importantly, coffee. When I arrive, I am greeted by a chorus of “buongiorno” from behind the counter. I ordered a cappuccino and sat for a while, reading and sipping. While I am not a frequent cafe-goer in the states, this has been something I have adopted in Perugia. I find it much more accessible to be a regular at a cafe here as opposed to the US, partially because of the culture but also due to the prices– I typically spend ~$7 for a coffee in the states, while here it is only €1.80. Cafes also provide a space to get outside of my apartment, listen to spoken Italian, and engage in an integral part of Italian culture.
Mid Morning
At 11am I left the cafe and walked towards Piazza IV Novembre– the main square in Perugia, also where the Umbra Institute is located. As I approached I could hear music blasting, and saw a number of strangely dressed people. Only when I arrived in the Piazza did I remember that today is Martedì grasso, the final day of carnival before lent. In the square I found a mass of children dressed in costume, throwing confetti at each other and dancing. Behind them stood four large parade floats, depicting popular children’s movies. I sat on the steps and observed for a while before continuing my walk, passing some stragglers with confetti in their hair. Perugia’s hilly terrain makes for a somewhat challenging walk, but also rewarding views of the cascading warm toned buildings.
Afternoon
On my way back to my apartment I stopped at Umbrò, a local grocery store located conveniently on the way from the Piazza to my apartment. I bought a sandwich from the deli counter for €3.00, and met my roommates at our apartment. We spent some time reviewing for our Italian class midterm before I had my first class of the day. While my Monday and Wednesday classes start at 9am, I am lucky to have Tuesday and Thursday mornings off.
At 2pm I walked back to the Piazza for “Digital Marketing of Wine and Wineries.” This class is quite different from the classes that I have taken in the past, particularly due to the wine aspect but also because I have never taken a marketing class before. I think that it’s important to take advantage of some of the more niche classes that are offered while studying abroad, not only for personal enrichment but also because there will always be something you can learn and apply towards your desired career. For example, although this class is not directly related to my Environmental Science degree, I find it interesting to think about how digital marketing techniques can be applied towards sustainability initiatives.
After a 15 minute break, it was time for my 4pm Italian class. We reviewed some grammar and practiced speaking. This class has been extremely helpful when navigating life in Italy. Even just knowing how to approach ordering at a restaurant or asking for directions in Italian can make interactions much easier and more enjoyable. Throughout the class, we could hear music coming from the Piazza just outside the building, although we were unable to see from the window.
Evening
After Italian class, it was revealed that the commotion we had heard was from the start of the Martedì grasso parade. As the floats passed through the main street, Corso Vannucci, confetti flew and music blasted. I watched for a while, until around 6:30pm, with some friends from class before heading to the Priori hub, a workspace for Umbra students, to study for our Italian exam.
Around 8pm, we met our other friends for dinner at Osteria a Priori, a traditional Umbrian restaurant. While my roommates and I typically cook dinner at our apartment, trying new restaurants is a great way to learn about local foods, gather inspiration, and socialize.
Life in Italy has been a welcome change in pace from the typical American lifestyle, allowing time to slow down, connect, and explore. Though every day in Perugia has been different, finding consistency helps to make this city feel like home.