Embracing Life as a Foreigner: My Time at the University for Foreigners
As a civil engineering student at the University of Connecticut, I knew that studying abroad wouldn’t allow me to take courses in my major. So, I looked for the next best thing: a way to complete my Italian minor.
While researching programs, I came across Umbra’s Direct-Enrollment Italian Immersion Program, and it sounded perfect. The idea of coming to Italy and taking only Italian classes was exactly what I wanted, so I applied without hesitation. However, as I prepared for my trip, I realized there wasn’t much information available about what the experience would actually be like. That’s where I come in! After going through the entire program, I can confidently say I absolutely loved it, and I want to help others experience it as well.
What Is It?
Umbra’s Direct-Enrollment Italian Immersion Program partners with Università per Stranieri di Perugia, a renowned institution dedicated to teaching Italian to foreigners.
How Does It Work?
At Stranieri, each month is a separate, intensive class, and you advance to the next level at the start of the following month. For example, I started at B2.1 in January, then moved to B2.2 in February, B2.3 in March, and finally C1.1 in April. This was my personal trajectory, but everyone’s path varies.
Your placement depends on your current Italian proficiency, which is assessed through a brief oral placement test conducted by both an Italian professor at Umbra and a professor at Stranieri. There’s also some flexibility during the first week to move up or down a level based on how you feel in class.
Class Structure
So, what does a typical day at Stranieri look like?
- Classes usually run Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM, with slight variations depending on the month and level.
- Your schedule changes slightly each month, but within a level (A, B, or C), you’ll likely have the same professors. Professors change when you move up to the next level group.
- Each month is technically a combination of three classes:
- Grammar (focused on structure and rules)
- Competency & Speaking (focused on conversation and comprehension)
- Language Lab (interactive exercises to refine skills)
My personal favorite was the Language Lab—it helped my Italian the most! I practiced my accent, listening, and comprehension skills while working with classmates. These peer activities often led to lots of laughs, making learning even more fun.
The People
This brings me to one of my favorite parts of the experience: the people.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect—what ages would my classmates be? What types of people would be there? But this program completely broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the world.
Throughout the four months, my class size ranged from 20 to 30 students, with new people joining and leaving each month. There was a group of students aged 20-25 who had been together before I arrived, and they quickly welcomed me into their circle. Some were from the U.S., but others were from Australia, Sweden, and Israel. Beyond that, my classmates ranged in age all the way up to their 60s—many were people who had moved to Italy and wanted to learn the language.
I met people from Libya, Russia, Romania, Canada, China, Japan, and so many other countries. The coolest part? Our common language was Italian. It was incredible to communicate with people from such different backgrounds, all in a language that wasn’t native to any of us.
Staying Connected with Umbra
Since I wouldn’t be in class with the other
American students at Umbra, I was initially worried about making connections. But let me assure you—it wasn’t a problem at all.
I’ve made so many great friends through Umbra. Some are my roommates (who are amazing, by the way), some I met on the first day after arriving, and others I got to know just from seeing around. While it definitely takes effort to build connections, it’s so worth it. I know these are friendships that will last far beyond my time here.
Final Thoughts
Overall, studying at Stranieri has been an unforgettable experience, and my Italian has improved so much. Am I fluent? Maybe not yet. But I now have the confidence to hold a full conversation entirely in Italian.
Being a foreigner comes with its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. If you’re thinking about studying abroad—do it! And if you’re considering Umbra’s Direct-Enrollment Italian Immersion Program, I promise you won’t regret it.