The Umbra Institute welcomed its new students for the spring semester Friday morning at the airport in Rome. After a three hour journey by bus, the students arrived at the famous Hotel Gio. In the evening students met their semester roommates as well as the Umbra staff, and everyone dined together at the hotel. Saturday morning, after a long two days of travel, the students were taken to their final destination, their apartments. In the afternoon everyone met in the center piazza for a group photo and orientation meeting at the Sala dei Notari, Perugia’s frescoed 12th century town hall. As always, special guest Chief 
Inspector Michele Caneschi of Florence was present and talked at length to the student body about health and safety, and how to be streetsmart in Italy. Coming out of the orientation students were surprised to witness a peace protest in the main piazza. The protests took place all across Italy, and were conducted to help bring awareness to the Israel and Gaza conflict.
This week each student will go through an intensive “survival” Italian program, where students will learn practical Italian for everyday situations. Elective courses will begin the following week. Benvenuti a tutti! We hope you all have a great study abroad experience!