Ask Former Students
You have read the brochures, spent hours surfing the web, and at this point, your study abroad advisor knows you by name. You still may not be sure which program is best for you. At the Umbra Institute, we know you want to ask real questions and receive real answers. For this reason, we provide you with the opportunity to connect with alumni from many schools with experience in various fields of study who know all there is to know about studying at the Umbra Institute.
Below is a list of our selected Umbra Reps who are eager to share their Umbra experiences. They will answer all your questions and tell you what life in Perugia is really like. Contact one, contact all; no question is too small!
Former Students
Jessica Morgan
Binghamton UniversityCiao! I’m Jess and I studied abroad at Umbra in Spring semester 2023. I go to Binghamton University and study Psychology, with minors in Education and Global Studies. I am interested in international education in the future. While abroad, I...
Dayna Hausspiegel
University of ConnecticutMy name is Dayna and I am a Communications Major at UConn! At Umbra, I took beginner Italian, History and Culture of Italian Food, Digital Marketing for Wine and Wineries, and Intercultural Communication. When I’m not studying or planning my...
Ruby Dann
University of ConnecticutCiao! My name is Ruby, and I am a student from the University of Connecticut majoring in Communications. I was enrolled in the General Studies program at Umbra for the Spring 2019 semester. I picked Perugia because I wanted to...
Kate Donati
College of William and MaryMy name is Kate and I’m an undergraduate at the College of William & Mary. I’m a double English and Italian Cultural Studies major and was enrolled in the General Studies courses at Umbra. The entire Umbra faculty and staff...
Gerardo Moceri
Arizona State UniversityCiao a tutti! My name is Gerardo Moceri and I am Sustainability major at Arizona State University. At the Umbra Institute I participated in the Food and Sustainability Studies program and it was such a unique experience. The class field...
Miranda Singer
Clark UniversityMy name is Miranda Singer. I am a Psychology major at Clark University and am in Umbra’s Multicultural Psychology program. I love the courses at Umbra as they are focused on more hands-on and experiential learning. The professors are extremely...
Ashley Palmer
Endicott College‘Ciao! I am a nursing major from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. During my time at the Umbra Institute, I was a part of the Food and Sustainability Studies Program, which was one of my favorite things about studying here....
Gabrielle Sherman
Misericordia UniversityHi! My name is Gabrielle Sherman and I am a student at Misericordia University majoring in Speech Language Pathology. At the Umbra Institute, I was enrolled in the General Studies Program. Choosing the Umbra Institute as my school of study...
Justin Lewis
Arcadia UniversityMy name is Justin Lewis and I am a Computer Science major at Arcadia University. At Umbra, I was in the Direct Enrollment program at the University for Foreigners. One of my favorite things about the Umbra Institute is their...
Joshua Wellman
Penn State UniversityMy name is Josh Wellman and I study Psychology at Penn State. My experiences at Umbra are most accurately defined by the phrase "well-rounded." Living in a small, non-touristy town for four months allowed me to immerse myself into the...
Elizabeth Knudsen
Roanoke CollegeAn adventurous spirit from a liberal arts college, I have always been a hands-on learner, and my experience at the Umbra Institute allowed me to embrace that completely. The challenge of adapting to Perugia where almost no one spoke English...
Sami Wright
St. Mary’s College of MDI'm Sami Wright, a senior at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and I studied at Umbra for the Spring 2017 semester. During my time abroad I saw incredible art, ate insanely good food, and made friends for life. Study abroad...
Samuel Marlinga
Clark UniversityHello! My name is Sam Marlinga and I studied at Umbra during the spring of 2017. I'm a double major in English and Philosophy and I decided to study in Italy because I'd wanted to go ever since I was...
Mia Fishkin
University of VermontI am junior at the University of Vermont majoring in Dietetics and minoring in Dance. I'm from Springfield, New Jersey, a suburb an hour from New York City. At the Umbra Institute, I was a part of the Food and...
Meghan Smith
Roger Williams UniversityUmbra is a great place to be if you want a small city feel and to be given the opportunity to really immerse yourself into a culture. You learn so much more when you are required to take an Italian...
Sarah Anne Johnson
Lebanon Valley CollegeI study Art and Art History at Lebanon Valley College, and I could not have chosen a more perfect country or city to continue learning in the field. Throughout my time at Umbra and in Italy, I have engaged in...
Meghan Bille
University of Colorado BoulderMy name is Meghan Bille and I attend University of Colorado Boulder. I was a junior when studying abroad at Umbra. I am studying Advertising and Political Science. My time studying at Umbra and living in Perugia was the best...
Leah Crawford
Clark UniversityCiao! My name is Leah. I go to Clark University in Massachusetts and was lucky enough to have spent a spring semester studying in Perugia. The classes at Umbra are special because you get to practice what you learn. I...
Kelly Annese
UMass AmherstHi my name is Kelly Annese and I am a junior at UMass Amherst, studying economics and consumer behavior. I've loved having the opportunity to study abroad in Perugia and experience Italian culture. The scenery is stunning, the food is...
Katherine Bennett
Penn State UniversityHi! My name is Katherine and I am a Finance major with a Supply Chain & Information Systems Technology minor at the Pennsylvania State University. Perugia was the best decision I could have made for my study abroad semester. Unlike...
Jordan Linder
Penn State UniversityMy name is Jordan Linder, and I am a student at Penn State University majoring in Nutrition Science, Dietetics option and minoring in Human Development and Family Studies. Through the Food and Sustainability Studies program at The Umbra Institute, I...
Jenna Reilly
Penn State UniversityI am a senior at Penn State University studying accounting. I studied abroad in the spring of my junior year and I couldn’t have made a better decision than to study abroad in Perugia. Perugia is the perfect medieval city...
Elza Harb
Hamilton CollegeCiao a tutti! I'm a Chicago native and a rising senior at Hamilton College, where I study History, Government, and Italian. I spent a full year in Perugia and it was the best absolutely experience of my life. I sampled...
Audrey Reiley
Lebanon Valley CollegeI am a junior at Lebanon Valley College with a Studio Art and Art History major and a Philosophy and World Classics minor. I had always known I wanted to study abroad, and as an art historian aspiring to enter...
Victoria Caruso
Roger Williams UniversityI am Victoria Caruso, a third year International Business student at Roger Williams University. I am from Yonkers, New York, and I currently participate in NCAA D3 Volleyball at my university. My family, both sides, hail from Italy as well....