The Maryland-in-Perugia program track in Food, Sustainability, & the Environment (FSE) invites students to study of food systems, sustainability and the environment. By enrolling coursework, interning at Umbra’s campus garden, or discovering the complexities of Italian food culture and environmental policy, FSE students develop a deeper understanding of global food systems, sustainability, and the environment.

An ancient city surrounded by the rolling hills of Umbria and Tuscany, Perugia’s hilltop location serves as the ideal backdrop for study abroad in Italy. Rich in art, architecture, and historical significance, it is internationally recognized as a city of learning. While lying off the beaten path, travel from Perugia is easy as Rome, Florence, Siena, Assisi, and Cortona lie only a short distance away.

As a part of the Maryland-in-Perugia program, you will take classes and engage in activities with The Umbra Institute. Beyond the unique location of the program, community engagement is the guiding philosophy behind all Umbra academic programs. Thanks to the city’s small size, the daily interaction with Italian students, and effective Italian language studies, you will have the opportunity to get to know Italy through meaningful connections with local Italians. Each semester, students in Perugia discover that giving back to the host community is one of the most rewarding outcomes of their time abroad. The Maryland-in-Perugia program is designed so you will finish your studies with a better understanding of Italian culture, Italian language skills, and new friendships.

Visit the Umbra Community Engagement Abroad webpage and video page to learn how you can get involved in Umbra's community engagement activities, which include academic internships, service learning projects, volunteering, Co-Ops, and more.

You must be in good academic and judicial standing and you must not have any registration blocks to participate in this program.

All UMD sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply for this program.

If you are interested in this program but do not meet the eligibility requirements, make an appointment with your EA advisor to discuss program options.

Students on the Sustainability & Environmental Studies track will focus their coursework in a range of interdisciplinary offerings at the Umbra Institute. Students will enroll in a full time courseload (up to 16 credits), taking at least one Italian language course. All other courses are taught in English. See the Maryland-in-Perugia Academic Overview for more details.

Visit the Academics & Study Abroad page which outlines key considerations for your academic planning as you navigate different phases of study abroad:

Browse UMD course evaluations in the Study Abroad Course Database:

Maryland-in-Perugia
Course Evaluations

This program includes a series of co- and extracurricular activities that are an integral part of the curriculum; they include guest lectures, site visits, field trips, culinary activities, research projects, and other hands-on experiences. These activities allow students to directly observe the concepts studied in the classroom and analyze issues surrounding food, sustainability and the environment in an Italian and global context from varied perspectives.

Students have the option to live in an Italian homestay or in shared student apartments to accommodate the cultural and personal needs of all participants. Homestays and apartments are located within close proximity to the Umbra Institute's facilities and other local resources such as pharmacies, banks and supermarkets. Umbra has a dedicated housing staff who work to make placements for students and resolve any housing issues on site.

A homestay offers the opportunity to be completely immersed in Italian daily life and culture and students are expected to communicate mostly in Italian. Homestay students are provided with a fully furnished, private bedroom, shared or private bathroom and access to laundry and kitchen facilities as well as internet.

Apartment living is suitable for student seeking a more independent experience. In apartments, students will be in shared bedrooms in fully furnished units with kitchen and bathroom facilities. All students are provided with sheets, blankets, and pillows.

See the Maryland-in-Perugia Housing Overview for more details.

Fall Budget

Costs listed are for fall 2023.

Billable Costs
Application Fee	$50
Billable costs are charged to your student account. They are due based on the Office of Student Financial Services and Cashiering's payment schedule. Be sure to check your statements when they are available.
Education Abroad Fee	$1,200
This fee is charged to your account when the application status is changed from "Accepted" to "Committed." This fee includes Education Abroad services including registration, billing, advising, risk management, and pre-departure orientation.
International Health Insurance	$250
Tuition	$12,251
This fee is charged to your UMD account upon course registration. This fee includes: Tuition, academic and advising support, course related activities, on-campus and in-country orientations, residence permit fee, and teaching services.
The tuition for the Food and Sustainability Studies track is higher and accounts for 8 food workshops and activities, an overnight trip to Emilia Romagna, and three day trips
Housing Fee	$2,775
This fee represents the housing provided during the program.
Program activities & Student Services	$975
Additional UMD Billable Costs	$1,000
Homestay Option Supplemental Fee	$1,000
TOTAL PROGRAM FEE	$16,001
Out-of-pocket Costs
Meals (estimate)	$1,500
Passport	$165
Expedited Passport Processing	$60
Education Abroad strongly advises expedited processing for new or renewal passport applications due to current delays with processing times.
Visa & Residence Permit	$250
Roundtrip Airfare from MD/DC to Host Country (estimate)	$1,500
In-Country Transportation Expense (estimate)	$150
Course Materials (estimate)	$250
Personal/Incidental Expenses (estimate)	$2,700
Covid Rapid Antigen Test in Host Country (estimate)	$50
The cost of a COVID test not prescribed by a physician is not covered by CISI Insurance.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE:	$25,026

Spring Budget

Costs below are for spring 2023.


Application Fee	$50
Billable Costs
Billable costs are charged to your student account. They are due based on the Office of Student Financial Services and Cashiering's payment schedule. Be sure to check your statements when they are available.
Program Fee	$17,451
Education Abroad Fee	$1,200
This fee is charged to your account when the application status is changed from "Accepted" to "Committed." This fee includes Education Abroad services including registration, billing, advising, risk management, and pre-departure orientation.
International Health Insurance	$250
Tuition	$13,226
This fee is charged to your UMD account upon course registration. This fee includes: Tuition (including the $1,500 supplemental fee for the Food, Sustainability & Environmental Studies track that includes 8 workshops and special overnight and day-long excursions), academic and advising support, course related activities, on-campus and in-country orientations, residence permit fee, teaching services, and a transcript from Roger Williams University ($500 school of record fee) to facilitate the transfer of credit.
Housing	$2,775


Out-of-pocket Costs	$6,325 (estimate)
Additional expenses not billed through UMD.
Meals (estimate)	$1,500
Passport	$165
Expedited Passport Processing	$60
Education Abroad strongly advises expedited processing for new or renewal passport applications due to current delays with processing times.
Roundtrip Airfare from MD/DC to Host Country (estimate)	$1,500
In-Country Transportation Expense (estimate)	$150
Course materials (estimate)	$250
Personal/Incidental Expenses (estimate)	$2,700


TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE	$23,776

Summer Budget

Costs listed are for summer 2020.

Billable Costs
Application Fee	$50
Billable costs are charged to your student account. They are due based on the Office of Student Financial Services and Cashiering's payment schedule. Be sure to check your statements when they are available.
Education Abroad Fee	$500
This fee is charged to your account when the application status is changed from "Accepted" to "Committed." This fee includes Education Abroad services including registration, billing, advising, risk management, and pre-departure orientation.
International Health Insurance	$84
Tuition & Housing	$3,646
Tuition fee is charged to your UMD account upon course registration. This fee includes: Tuition, academic and advising support, course related activities, on-campus and in-country orientations, residence permit fee, and teaching services.
The tuition for the Food and Sustainability Studies track is higher and accounts for 8 food workshops and activities, an overnight trip to Emilia Romagna, and three day trips
Additional Course (optional)	$640
Intensive Italian (optional)	$1,200
Archaelogy Field School (optional)	$1,520
TOTAL PROGRAM FEE	$4,230
Total PROGRAM FEE (WITH ADDITIONAL COURSE)	$4,870
Total PROGRAM FEE (WITH INTENSIVE ITALIAN)	$5,430
TOTAL PROGRAM FEE (WITH ARCHAELOGY FIELD SCHOOL)	$5,750

Out-of-pocket Costs
Meals (estimate)	$600
Passport	$145
Roundtrip Airfare (estimate)	$1,300
Course materials	$100
Optional international trip cancellation/interruption insurance	$50
Optional Activities/Incidental Expenses (estimate)	$800
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE:	$7,225
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE (WITH ADDITIONAL COURSE):	$7,865
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE (WITH INTENSIVE ITALIAN):	$8,425
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE (WITH ARCHAELOGY FIELD SCHOOL):	$8,745

You can use the cost of attendance comparison worksheet to view how study abroad programs compare to each other and the amount you pay on campus at UMD. As always, your EA advisor is available help you complete this worksheet and find affordable programs that fit your study abroad goals.

Please refer to the following resources for more information on funding study abroad:

PLEASE NOTE: All University of Maryland study abroad programs are financially self-supporting and, therefore, subject to cancellation due to low enrollment.

Sally Roberts coordinates all logistical aspects of the Maryland-in-Perugia program and is available to meet with both interested and accepted students.To learn more about the program and complete the required advising meeting, schedule a meeting with Sally.

Students in Perugia are encouraged to study beyond the classroom. Community engagement is the guiding philosophy behind all Umbra academic program. Opportunities such as internships, community-based coursework, service learning and volunteering provide students with important professional development and the opportunity to give back to the host community.

Visit the Umbra website for more info or check out Umbra's video on community engagement:

The Umbra Institute also taps into the rich cultural resources of the Italian community in order to supplement the academic program and student experience. Cultural workshops are provided each semester that focus on specific aspects of Italian culture. You are also invited to several practical workshops during the semester that range in topic from tips and resources for travel in Italy and Europe to presentation skills to reentry into the US.

Students at the Umbra Institute take part in Umbra Pizza Night, Umbra Gelato Night, sports events and other activities to connect with their classmates and the Umbra staff and faculty.

The Umbra Institute also offers one weekend trip each semester along with numerous co-curricular day trips throughout the semester. These trips may include destinations such as Capri, Sorrento, Venice, and Cinque Terre, or may be closer to home, such as Cortona, Florence, or the nearby Perugina Chocolate factory. Weekend hiking and camping opportunities are also available in the hills and mountains surrounding Perugia. The optional trips are offered at the most affordable prices possible.

View the full list of extra-curricular activities for details.

Program Dates

Term	Year	Application Deadline	Admission Notification	Program Start	Program End
Spring	2023	10/01/2022	10/11/2022	01/12/2023	04/29/2023
Fall	2023	03/01/2023	01/20/2023	09/01/2023	12/16/2023
Spring	2024	10/01/2023	10/11/2023	01/12/2024	04/27/2024