Life in Perugia – Why Umbria?
An opinion piece by Elke Schrenk, Spring 2026
In the time leading up to studying abroad, I felt unsure of whether Perugia would be the right fit for me. I worried about choosing a smaller town in a lesser known region as opposed to a large city like Rome or Florence. My short time in Perugia has affirmed me that I could not have made a better decision. The following are some of my reflections from the first month of living in Perugia.
Authenticity
In today’s world, it can be extremely difficult to find places that still feel authentic. While the widespread use of the internet has made it easy to find new places, it has also made it difficult to discover things organically. Through the convenience of Instagram travel guides and google ads, we have somewhat lost the ability to stumble upon hidden gems– it feels like nothing is hidden anymore. I often find myself searching for something real when travelling, googling terms like ‘least-touristy neighborhood’ or ‘where locals eat.’
In Perugia I have not felt this way in the slightest. Through my time spent wandering through the city’s medieval alleys I have discovered incredible restaurants, beautiful architecture, and outstanding views of the surrounding regions. Because the city is less catered to tourists, I have had the chance to feel fully immersed in the Italian lifestyle. Restaurants serve local, authentic Umbrian cuisine as opposed to americanized versions of classic Italian foods. Historic sights and viewpoints throughout the city are somewhat hidden, allowing one to uncover special places by accident, without being surrounded by a million phones taking photos. I have even come to appreciate the less convenient parts about life in Italy, such as the riposo when shops close for an afternoon period of rest, or the series of shallow, winding medieval steps that I climb on my way to class every morning. Being in Umbria has allowed me to connect with parts of Italian culture in a way that I think would be much more difficult if I were in a larger city.
Language Immersion
Similarly, studying in Perugia has allowed me to drastically improve my language skills in just a short amount of time. Prior to studying at Umbra, I had taken three semesters of Italian language classes. I had understood basic grammar structures and could understand written Italian, however I struggled with speaking and listening. Before the start of classes, I completed an online placement exam and a short oral exam to determine my Italian placement (Italian 101, 201, or 301). I was placed into Italian 301, which is an hour of class each day. Prior to arriving in Perugia, I would have never thought that I would be able to have a casual conversation in Italian, but even after my short time here I am able to easily navigate daily conversations in Italian.
In addition to my Italian class, I believe that what has helped me the most has been these short conversations with native Italian speakers. In larger, more touristic cities like Rome or Florence, I have found it much more difficult to practice my language skills. Of course, everyone still speaks Italian, however I find that often in these places people would rather speak in English because they know that I am American. I have had plenty of awkward conversations in which I start speaking in Italian, and the other person switches to English after I make a grammatical or pronunciation error. I get– it is difficult to speak to someone who is not fluent, and sometimes it is best to move through the conversation as quickly as possible. However, I have found that in cities like Perugia there is less of a rush, and people are generally more patient and encouraging. Having opportunities to practice has vastly improved my confidence when speaking, and allowed me to connect with the community in a more meaningful way.
Location
Although I love being in Perugia, a huge part of studying abroad is the opportunity to travel during weekends. When deciding which city to choose as a home base, I worried that it would be more difficult to travel from Perugia than a larger travel hub. My time here has taught me that this is absolutely not true. In fact, Perugia is one of the best locations for travel within Italy because it is located in the very center of the peninsula. Traveling by train or bus within the country is inexpensive and comfortable, and I actually look forward to this part of the trip because of the ability to see the Italian countryside from the window. It is just a 2-hour trip from Perugia to Florence or Rome, and it is easy to travel to other cities from those locations. It is also possible to travel outside of the country by flying out of Perugia’s airport, or taking the train to Rome and flying from there.
Before arriving in Italy I was under the impression that I would be traveling to a new country every weekend, but after spending time here my perspective has somewhat changed. Of course there are a number of incredible destinations within Europe, and it is relatively easy to reach them from Perugia. I also think that it is important to spend time traveling throughout Italy. Each Italian region has its own unique history, cuisine, architecture, and culture. Regional differences are apparent even in towns just an hour apart from each other. It can be seen in the chalk menu displayed outside a trattoria, or the artwork carved into an alley wall. Even while sitting at a cafe drinking a cappuccino– a standard across Italy– it is possible to notice a difference in cadence and style in locals throughout the country. Becoming aware of these regional variances has helped me better understand both the Umbria region and Italy as a whole. No matter where I travel throughout the semester, I feel grateful to call Perugia my home base.