Università per Stranieri di Perugia (USP)

Italy is very beautiful country. You'll love italian culture and atmosphere. There are so many places to visit. The italian language isn't so hard to be studied. Go in Italy and have fun!

Housing at this University can be fantastic. During the week before classes begin local Italians scout the town/university for students in need of housing and will offer to show rooms that day and sometimes even let students move in that day. The local newspaper also lists open housing and if you still have no luck its as easy as asking fellow students. Flats closest to the university are usually smaller and older, may be undergoing exterior/interior repairs and restoration, usually do not have washer, never have dryer, may have hot water shortage or a number of other problems. Students who are not happy with their flats usually relocate within the first month without a problem. My personal flat was new, beautiful, clean, had washer and bathtub but was a 15 minute walk from campus versus the typical 2-5 minute walk- but who would complain about walking with a view of the country side and the lovely white village of Assisi just across the way.

Always make an effort to be empathetic, tolerant and yet guarded. Many times the culture is very difficult for people to understand or rationalize, but you need to be careful not to cast dubious judgements or lack in making a true and sincere effort to open yourself to the language and the people.

From an overall point of view, Italy it's and unbelievable country where to live and where to find most you are interested in (in addition to a great gastronomy and a lovely mediterranean wheather!!). Just to advice you that when travelling would be better doing it with someone else, so as to share expenses. However, Italy it's quite easy to visit it by yourself, and you can save a great deal of money staying at Youth Hostels, that normally are pretty good and in unique locations.

Glam Ho' is the most friendly trendy cocktail lounge in a mideival building that has been "glammed up" with sofas, pillows, purples and pinks for a rustic yet luxurious cocktail experience where students go from around 9-12 to chat before the clublife begins. Punto di Vista, an outdoors bar with a gorgeous view of the country side is also a popular pre-club spot, a bit more up-beat than the cozy Glam Ho. Dance Club Zoologico, with three floors all featuring different music, is fantastic for dancing, mingling with locals, hearing the latest Italian hits and drinking. Rock Castel, my personal favorite, features live bands in this midieval dungeon type bar/club where local Italians and students go mostly for the music. During the day Bar Morlachi is the perfect cafe for teas, coffees and pastries where tons of students/locals go to study, chat, listen to music, play piano (or listen to others playing piano).