Università per Stranieri di Perugia (USP)

I found that my backround in Spanish helped me advance quickly and that the key to learning is confidence, taking risk and discipline.

Don't fly Ryan Air!

Do not fly Ryan Air- they charge 5 Euro for every kilo over 15 kilos. Plan ahead to avoid taking taxis- buses, trains, subways are easy and cheep.

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.

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).