Do You Have Questions about ISI Abroad?
Check the extensive FAQ resource below. If your questions still aren’t answered, reach out to one of our advisors.
Frequently asked questions
ISI Abroad is the US Office for Admissions and University Relations for the Umbra Institute in Perugia, and the International Studies Institute in Florence, Italy. It processes all inquiries, applications and pre-departure services including course selections, housing assignments, study visa processing, health insurance, info sessions, guidebooks and more. If you plan on attending our programs in Perugia or Florence, the ISI Abroad office will be your go to place for all your application needs.
Not necessarily. While our programs are designed for undergraduate students in the US university system, students and professionals from around the world* are welcome to enroll. All students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and if they are not currently or recently enrolled in an education program, they may be asked to provide letters of recommendation to supplement their application materials.
ISI Abroad programs may also be a good idea for recent high school graduates (18 or older) interested in taking a few online or in-person courses before starting their university experience.
Internships are only available to university students (18 or older) or recent graduates.
*International students must be able to prove proficiency in English.
Nope, that’s not necessary. ISI Abroad offers a plethora of elective courses, across various disciplines, in English! While you will have the opportunity to take an Italian language course, most students enroll in Italian 101 while abroad (or, in the summer, choose not to study Italian at all).
There are significant benefits to learning a new language, but not knowing the language will not impede your experience.
Worried about not knowing the language and culture? Don't stress! Your admissions advisor can share a wealth of resources with you and you'll also be introduced to many aspects of the Italian language and culture (for in and out of the classroom) through the predeparture orientation course that all students receive 1-2 months prior to the start of their program.
The short answer is as soon as possible some programs can fill up by the deadline (particularly for the spring and summer 1 sessions). It can also be helpful to apply early so that you can start the visa application process early and to help you with scholarship applications. Many third-party scholarships require you to apply a month or more before the ISI Abroad application deadline so it is important to make a funding plan for yourself and start talking to your ISI Advisor as early as possible.
Not sure who your ISI Advisor is? Create an account here and you'll be assigned an advisor. No commitments required until after you're accepted to your program.
Application Deadlines by Session:
Fall Semester: April 25 (ISI Florence) or June 15 (Umbra)
Spring Semester: October 15
Summer 1: March 15
Summer 2: April 15
Program fees may vary depending on your home university's policies, as well as available ISI Abroad scholarship funds. Please contact your home university study abroad office and/or ISI Admissions advisor for more details.
Students who aren't eligible for scholarships or who enroll from various EU and UK universities can find our program fees listed here for PERUGIA and here for FLORENCE.
Yes! Indicate that you are interested in a scholarship or work-study project when you apply. Florence Scholarships | Perugia Scholarships
Yes, you can!
Roommates:
When it comes to roommates, our housing teams ask that all requests are mutual (meaning if you request a friend, they must also request you). It is very important that you communicate with your friend or friend group so you all have clear expectations as far as roommate requests are concerned.
You can submit all roommate or other housing requests through your Housing Form in Step 1 of your ISI Application Portal.
Just know that you might be placed in an apartment with only your friend (or friends), or you may be placed in a larger apartment that includes you, your friend(s), and other students. All apartments vary in size and style so we cannot predict your location or other apartment details.
Your housing in Italy can set the stage for much of your experience. We, therefore, strongly recommend that when making roommate requests, you reflect first on your personal goals for study abroad and how your living situation can play into those. For some students, living with existing friends can help them thrive abroad. For other students, the same situation can hold them back from the experiences they were hoping to have. You can still travel with friends, see them at the Institute or throughout your host city, even if you do not live together. When you take a second to think of "me" instead of "we", do your predeparture plans remain the same?
Health-related requests:
Do you receive any accommodations in your housing on campus back home? Or do you have a medical condition that may require additional support (ex. a fridge for medication) when living abroad? Please notify ISI Abroad in your Health Form in Step 2 of your ISI admissions portal. You can also contact your assigned admissions advisor at any time to discuss the resources available to you.
Documented health concerns receive priority consideration when finalizing housing assignments in ISI programs. Please contact your ISI advisor if you have questions regarding what documentation may be required.
Updating or making other requests:
You can also request updates to any ISI admissions form by contacting your assigned admissions advisor, though requests submitted within 45 days of the start of the program cannot always be guaranteed.
Note: for various logistical reasons, you cannot request to live in specific locations in your host city with your friends.
Many universities require that students live in housing provided by the host Institute and will not allow for independent housing.
In some special circumstances, your home university may allow for independent housing. In such cases, you must notify your home university AND your ISI admissions advisor as early in the application process as possible. Your request is then reviewed and the cost as well as service implications are then presented to you in detail before you finalize your selection of independent housing. At which point, a waiver to finalize the housing exemption will be required.
The ETIAS: The EU continues to push back the launch of the ETIAS. At this time, it is not relevant to your travel to or through the EU.
The ETA: The UK has officially launched its ETA requirement. You must apply for an ETA even if you're only transiting through the UK for 5 minutes and you must keep proof of your application to show to any airline you use to visit or transit through the UK. You can click here to read more from the official source.
For more on the future ETIAS requirement: students from these countries will need to complete a quick, online document called the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System).