SUNY Wine Journalism course at the Umbra Institute

Study wine journalism in Italy — Summer 2015

This coming summer Professor John Hartsock, an award-winning wine author, will teach a course in Italy called “Wine Journalism: Telling Stories of Wine.” The class will be taught in English, so no Italian language proficiency is required. The classes are held in Perugia, in central Italy, at the Umbra Institute. Class is twice a week with field trips to nearby cities and wineries. The class is open to all students, especially those in the SUNY network. The Summer Session runs from the last week in May to the end of June.

A Big University Town in a Small Italian City. Students will take advantage of the Umbra Institute’s beautiful location in historic Perugia, Italy, to complete courses that count towards their majors, all while studying abroad and living in the real Italy. While the courses will be engaging, students will also have ample time on the weekend to travel elsewhere in Europe because no classes are held on Fridays. Thus, students have a three-day weekend. Students can either take just this class or can choose another course from the elective courses offered at Umbra. See a list of standard summer courses here: Summer 2017 course offerings.

Student Life. Each summer the Umbra Institute hosts between 80 and 100 American and Italian college students from colleges and universities across the U.S. and in Perugia. Housing is provided for all students in shared apartments within a 5-minute walk of the Institute. Apartments are furnished with full kitchens and have WiFi access. Check out some of the student activities offered at Umbra.

To learn more about the course, contact the instructor, Professor Hartsock, by filling out the form below..

Student Profiles

Sophia Schneiderman
SUNY Binghamton at Umbra Spring ’13

“One of the most rewarding and beautiful experiences of my life was studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. Perugia is a picturesque university town, and because of its smaller size, I was able to enjoy authentic Italian life in a relaxed setting and avoid the constant tourist frenzy found in larger cities. I loved that Perugia’s central location allowed easy access to a handful of important cities like Florence, Rome, Assisi, Arezzo, Orvieto, Siena, and Gubbio..”

Please feel free to email Sophia to ask about her experience!

Gabrielle Postilgione
SUNY Fredonia at Umbra Spring ’14
UNM at Umbra Summer ’14

“Studying abroad in Perugia, Italy was absolutely a decision beyond compare. Every morning we were waking up to a brand new adventure, and there was never a dull moment. Your friends become your lifelines and together you become navigators and learn to use skills you may not have used before. The classes, the field trips, the food, the wine, and the incredible people alone make studying abroad well worthwhile. Perugia will always hold a large place in my heart and it is a place I will always consider home.”

Please feel free to email Gabrielle to ask about her experience!