A Welcoming Community

Umbra views diversity as a powerful contributor to academic, personal, and professional development. Central to our mission is creating an environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and academic success. This can only be achieved by ensuring that all students feel welcome and fully supported by our entire academic community.

If you or someone you know has questions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion while abroad, please contact us and we will be pleased to assist.

Embracing Visible and Invisible Identities

Until recently, Italy itself was purely a country of emigrants. As a peninsula in the Mediterranean, it is now a natural stepping-stone to the arrival of refugees and migrants coming to Europe. Since 1921, Perugia has hosted one of the two universities for foreigners in the Country. As a result Italians, and Perugians in particular, are accustomed to interaction with people from all walks of life. But like all nations, Italy still has its own debates around topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Umbra pays careful attention to assisting our students, particularly students from family, socioeconomic, or other backgrounds that may make an experience abroad more difficult to navigate. To learn more about what to expect as a foreigner in Italy, please contact us.

Perugia’s LGBTQI+ Community

Did you know that Perugia hosts vibrant pride parades and festivities every June? Gay and queer communities in cities like Perugia are active and welcoming. Perugia’s oldest and most influential organization is Omphalos. It has been advocating for inclusivity for over 25 years, offering meetings, orientation, social mixers, and cultural activities to help members of the community find their voice and a comfortable support group that often leads to lifelong friendships.

Navigating Dietary Restrictions

Italian culture places a high value on healthy, wholesome food with simple natural ingredients. As a result of this health consciousness, Italians also will often go the extra mile to respect any dietary restrictions. Students may not have all the readily available dietary options they are accustomed to back home, but those with dietary restrictions should manage just fine while in Italy. Gluten-free and vegan options are common in Italy so you can find menus if not entire restaurants adapted to these needs in cities and towns throughout the country. In addition, Rome and Florence, especially, have large Jewish, Muslim, and international communities with plenty of places to find kosher, halal, and international foods.

Disabilities in Italy

Our faculty and staff are trained and experienced in accommodating learning disabilities and work closely with each student to make the appropriate accommodations. Individuals experiencing mobility issues however may find Italy to be difficult to navigate, especially within a city’s historic center where updating public areas and historic buildings are limited. However, there are city ordinances that have been put in place to require most venues and new urban planning projects to take these issues into consideration. If you have questions or concerns about your accommodations, you’re encouraged to schedule a call with your admissions advisor. 

Faith-Based Practices and Considerations

Italy is a secular state but hosts a prevalent Catholic culture. Churches seem to be on every corner and bells ring throughout the day, especially on Sundays. This is a deep-rooted aspect of the culture that can be noticed in banks, post offices, hospitals, police stations, shops, and even schools. Perugia, of course, lies only a few miles from Assisi, one of the most important religious sites in Christianity. That said, nearly all religions are represented in Italy, and major cities (like Perugia) in particular offer a greater diversity of faith. Here, you can also find Eastern Orthodox and Anglican churches, as well as an active Islamic community.

Need-based Scholarships,
Grants and Work-study Programs

To apply for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid, applicants must first submit a completed application form and contact an admissions specialist to discuss funding options. Awards are based on academic performance, financial need, and diversity. Our team also regularly looks for new or updated scholarships that it recommends to help students budget for their experience. Some scholarships are open to students within a specific major or relevant to specific aspects of a student’s identity and many are specific to study abroad. Even if you don’t usually receive much aid at home, we’d encourage all students to click the link below to explore the financial aid options that may be available to you.

VIEW SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID