Umbra Institute-Perugia

Umbra Institute was founded in 1999 to provide an outstanding learning experience in one of Italy's most glorious Renaissance cities. Perugia was the home of Perugino and Raphael, but its origins date from the Etruscan period of Italian history and its prominent hilltop position dominates the "green heart of Italy," the province of Umbria. Home to the University of Perugia and to the famed Universita per Stranieri (for the teaching of Italian at all levels), Perugia is a student-dominated city with plenty of cafes and restaurants and outlets for its famous chocolate and gelato. The relaxed way of life includes the evening soggiorno along the pedestrianized promenade, Corso Vanucci. 

Street scene in Perugia, Italy

Students at Umbra Institute begin the term with a full month of instruction in Italian (for all levels, beginner to advanced) at the Universita per Stranieri. This is followed by a regular term at the Umbra Institute taking classes in art and history, politics and philosophy, literature and archeology. Housing is provided in the medieval city in modernized apartments, and students are met in Rome at the Fiumicino airport on arrival. There is an orientation with excursions and the offices are located in a 15th century palazzo with classroom space, a small library and computer room. Studio art is taught in a separate building only four blocks away. 

Cost

Roanoke College students pay their tuition, fees and room to the College. Payment for board is done in Italy since students share a kitchen and prepare their own meals. A limited number of students may request to have their financial aid applied to the costs of a term or year with Umbra Institute. The competition for award of financial aid to support study abroad takes place each fall term with a deadline of December 1 for the completed Roanoke College application.

Application Deadlines and Procedures

Roanoke students must apply to Umbra Institute through the College's study abroad office in Room 206 of the Administration Building. An initial application to the College for permission to study abroad is followed by the formal application to Umbra, accompanied by a letter of recommendation, an official transcript, and four photographs. The deadline for applying financial aid to study abroad is December 1. The deadline to apply to Umbra without financial aid is April 1 for the fall term (begins in August) and October 1 for the spring term (begins in January). Students must have a 2.5 GPA to study abroad.