Academic Year in Italy

Each year, a handful of students choose to spend a full academic year abroad with the Umbra Institute. Sometimes students do this to improve language fluency or maximize cultural immersion opportunities, other times it serves a professional advantage or can cost less than spending a year on campus. Whatever the reason, Umbra is ready to support you in preparing for and managing a full academic year in Italy. 

To get started, you should consider all of Umbra’s Academic Programs and choose the combination that works best for your degree. Some students complete a full academic year of immersive language study, while others choose to complete a semester in one of our Curricular Concentrations (the MPP or FSE) and a second semester in our General Studies Program. You can enroll in up to 18 credits per semester in order to maximize your time abroad. 

Some of the Benefits to a Year Abroad

Live Like a Local, Not a Tourist: Spend a year diving into a new culture—learn the slang, eat authentic street food, and celebrate local festivals. 

More Time, More Experiences: Have more opportunities to explore Europe (including a nearly month-long winter break) and still return home before commencement!

Make Your Resume Pop: Employers prefer candidates who can truly demonstrate that they are bold, adaptable, and ready to take on any challenge. A full academic year abroad speaks for itself and can put you steps ahead of other candidates!

Personal Development: Living in a new country pushes you out of your comfort zone. You’ll discover how enterprising and resourceful you are, coming back with epic stories and an unprecedented level of confidence.

Make Lifelong Connections: Meet awesome people from across the globe: classmates, locals, even professors. Your network will become international as you make Italy your home and immerse yourself in the Italian culture and daily life. 

Course Registration

Review the Academic Calendar for program arrival, orientation, and departure dates each semester. When you initially apply for an all-year program, you will register in your fall courses and provide initial indications of your spring plans. You’ll then be asked to register in your spring courses during the fall semester, while you are in Italy. 

Winter Break & Independent Travel

Generally, the Umbra Institute asks you to avoid booking any independent travel until after you receive your final course and field trip schedule, since some trips do occur on weekends. However, the Institute closes for the winter break which makes those few weeks a great time to explore Italy and beyond. In fact, all year students typically make their winter break plans alongside other all year students during the fall semester, or with visiting friends or family members. Because of the type of Student Visa you receive, you also have the option to return home for winter break if you prefer.

Because the Institute closes during the break between the fall and spring semesters, the student services, e-phone staff, and housing office will be unavailable during this period. Precise closure dates will be communicated to all year students during the fall semester. However, you are never truly alone! You will have access to your apartment over the winter break and your international health insurance offers a 24/7 emergency number that you can call in case of a health or travel emergency*. Not to mention that local (city) services, supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open with modified holiday schedules typically posted in mid-December. There is no added cost for the extension of your housing placement and insurance throughout the winter break.

*This applies to students enrolled in the plan provided through ISI Abroad. If you hold an international health insurance policy through your home university, please check with them to see what kinds of emergencies are and are not covered.

Spring Orientation

All-year students are welcome to attend the spring semester orientation activities but they are only required to attend the full fall semester orientation. The only exception would be for students who attend an English-taught program one semester and a Direct Enrollment (Italian-taught) Program during the other. Direct Enrollment students have a unique academic environment and mandatory orientation activities that may include a placement exam at the local Italian university as well as important overviews of characteristics unique to programs taught within the Italian university system. During your fall semester, you can request more details about the spring orientation schedule and what differences may apply to your program choice.

Questions? Contact us and set up a one-on-one advising call with our Admissions Team!