Budgeting for Your Time Abroad

Meals and Living Expenses: Students’ living expenses can vary greatly depending on spending habits. Expenses such as travel, eating out, social activities, and souvenir shopping should all be taken into consideration. Past study abroad students have estimated $25.00 per day is sufficient for everything – transportation, all activities, etc. We recommend that students notify their bank that they are going abroad and then use automated teller machines once in Perugia. ATMs are conveniently located throughout the city. Students should not carry large amounts of cash at one time and it is recommended that all participants bring a credit card in case of emergencies.

Textbooks and Art Supplies: Students should estimate $50 per text per class. All students are required to purchase all textbooks for all courses in which they are enrolled. Students who take studio art courses (photography, fresco, drawing, etc.) will have to purchase their own materials and supplies. See course descriptions for details.

Course Fees and Museum Visits: Most courses include on-site lessons that require travel and museum visits. Art History, Archeology and Food Culture courses all include extensive travel and on-site visits. Please look at the individual course descriptions for costs which can vary from 50-175 Euro. Note: Field trips and on-site courses are mandatory.

Italian Immigration Permits: All Fall and Spring semester students are required to submit a Permesso di Soggiorno (Permit of Stay) application. As of Spring 2016, this fee — which is composed of a variety of document and service fees — is approximately 220 Euro.

Transportation: Although the program fees include transfers to and from the airport in Rome, they do not include everyday travel expenses. All students are housed within walking distance of the Umbra Institute and the local Universities so there is little to no need for daily travel by public transportation.

Optional Trips: Each semester and summer session, the Umbra Institute offers one optional weekend trip. Past trips have included a weekend in Tuscany, Venice, or Capri/Pompeii/Sorrento. Students who wish to attend the Optional Trip should plan on spending approximately 350 Euro with private transportation, meals, and hotel.

Personal Travel: As as student in Perugia, you will most likely travel to many fascinating destinations throughout the Italian peninsula. Visits to famous destinations such as Rome, Florence, Venice, and smaller towns throughout Italy are part of the cultural discovery process and of taking advantage of your time overseas. Exploring other countries and cities such as Barcelona, London, Paris, Prague, Amsterdam, etc. is also popular. Consider your travel plans and expenses when budgeting for your semester abroad.