FAQs and Info Sessions for Fall Applicants
After weeks of being cooped up at home, we can appreciate everyone’s desire to get back with friends and family, return to work and school, and yes, study abroad. However, as fall application deadlines at many universities loom, it is understandable that students may have some questions regarding the upcoming semester in Italy.
Below are some FAQs which will help provide guidance for students already accepted and committed for the next Fall session at the Umbra Institute, as well as those still wishing to apply. We encourage all students to join us in one of our online INFO SESSIONS where you will be able to chat with one of our admission specialists and ask questions to help you prepare for the fall.
And for those of you who had their dreams of studying in Italy unexpectedly canceled this summer, we have some incentives for you with our deferral grants for summer 2021. Contact us for more information.
Important Note: The information on this page is specific to the Umbra Institute. It is important that you also communicate with your university’s study abroad office regarding any questions you may have, including those related to deadlines, deposits, and flights.
Is the Fall semester running?
Absolutely! The Fall Semester is set to run as scheduled. We fully expect that the start of the fall semester, which is months away, will not be affected by the current health emergency. And at Umbra we cannot think of a better way to recommence classes than by studying abroad in Italy. We are very much looking forward to welcoming students to Perugia by late August.
Can I still Apply? Is there a deadline?
Yes we will be accepting applications until June 15th. We will need time to send you documents for your visa and to guide you through the visa application process. It is important that you also check with your home school regarding their fall application deadlines and policies. That said, we will delay all billing until after the fall application deadline and eliminate the standard cancellation fees to give students and their families more time to monitor the global covid-19 situation.
When should I get my visa?
As soon as convenient. We suggest that you immediately access your consulate’s visa appointment scheduling system and set an appointment for late July or the first week of August. There should be little if any waiting list for getting a visa for this Fall. The Italian embassy and consulates in the US are ready to schedule appointments without delay; the entire process can take between 2-4 weeks. We urge you to take advantage of this expedited timeline!
Appointments are wide open right now so we recognize that you take one for the first week of August. If those fill up as we are advising all students to take advantage of empty appointments right now, feel free to schedule your appointment for the first week of August or the last week of July. This may seem late, but it gives you plenty of time to secure your visa once the U.S. has had time to deal with its current outbreak.
When should I book my flight?
You are encouraged to proceed as planned in booking your flight and preparing for your study abroad experience. Airline fares are probably quite low at this time; so, you may want to purchase your ticket now before fees rise.
Note: We do advise that you purchase trip insurance that could cover any potential need to cancel or reschedule your flights, regardless of which semester you plan to study in Italy. In all scenarios where you book flights for a long-term stay, trip insurance can be a good idea; for example, some past students have used trip insurance to return home early for a family emergency. When reviewing insurance options, just make sure that you read the fine print.
Is it safe for me to study in Italy?
Umbra will not activate programs until the State Department Advisory is lowered to Level 2. This would mean that a wide variety of factors have been considered and – as a result – US authorities such as the State Department and CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have deemed it safe to live and study in Italy, particularly for young adults. Umbra and its superb student services staff are on-call 24/7 to ensure that students and families feel confident in remaining healthy and safe while in Italy.
What if I decide to cancel?
The Umbra Institute is fully aware of the current unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we have eliminated all cancellation fees up to two weeks before the Fall Semester begins. Students and parents can feel confident in preparing their study abroad experience this Fall with the added security of being able to cancel without any financial commitment. Note: Students should always refer to their home institution to confirm any deadline or billing-related extensions that will take precedence. Students should always refer to their home institution to confirm any deadline or billing-related extensions.
I have more questions; can I speak to someone?
If you or anyone else you are processing this decision with have further questions, please reach out to your Umbra advisors in our US offices (Zach Nowak: [email protected]; or Ashley Webb: [email protected]). They can arrange a time to chat with you by phone or Skype to help you understand the levels of support that Umbra can provide.