With everything from the canals in Venice, to the historic sites in Rome and Florence, and the awe of the Amalfi Coast, no wonder Italy study abroad is an ideal setting for your experience—at least we certainly think so! Italy has so many things to offer study abroad students (and pizza, ravioli, and bellinis are only part of the list) which is why it is such a popular destination for studying abroad!
Not only will you be able to eat gelato before and after every meal, but you’ll also get to indulge in the all of the incredible food, the lively people, and the warm culture. Italy is romantic and charming and so hard not to fall in love with. It’s the kind of place you’ll have a love affair with for the rest of your life...every time you leave, you’ll be counting down the days until you can come back. So good luck if you aren’t the falling in love type (but, really, aren’t we all??).
Read on to learn the good (and a little bit of the bad—#CarbOverload) to expect when you sign up for study abroad programs in Italy.
Why study abroad in Italy?
Studying abroad in Italy is almost as classic a combination as spaghetti and meatballs. With many renowned universities and an open acceptance of international visitors, students have been flocking to Italy for many, many years. Students continue to come because not only are you able to immerse yourself in the language and the culture (and the food!!!) of Italy, but you are also able to gain incredible educational experiences, especially being surrounded by so many historic sites—almost as if you’re living life in your textbook, in the most exciting way!
If you need any tips for studying abroad in Italy, we recommend eating as much gelato as you can and walking around the city of your choice to make yourself feel like a local by knowing your way around and having go-to spots. This also comes in handy if you have visitors and need to play tour guide! During the day you’ll have the chance to study hard and practice your Italian, and then when the night falls, you’ll be wandering the streets with friends and food and Florence! Or Rome! Or Milan! Or Venice! (But you get the point, right? 😉)
The benefits of studying abroad in Italy
What do you have to look forward to as a study abroad student in Italy (besides the amazing fashion?!).
1. There are SO Many Locations to Choose From
There are study abroad programs in Italy in all of the major cities, which makes Italy a magnifico location for studying abroad. Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence—you name it, they got it! These cities are all such wonderful and viable options for studying abroad, which isn’t often the case around the world. Some countries only have a couple of options, but Italy has many different cities that offer different experiences. Choose Rome for its history, or Venice for its romance, or Florence for its charm. There’s an Italian city for every type of traveler (and a pasta dish for every kind of eater 🍝).
2. All of Those Historic Sites
Although filled with history throughout each of its major cities, some of the most highly regarded historic sites include Pompeii & Herculaneum—two well-preserved Roman towns that were impacted by the volcanic eruption in 79 AD—the Pantheon which is a religious site that has transformed over the years, and the Colosseum which served as a stadium for various types of entertainment—from gladiator fights to reenactments and mock battles. Florence, which may be considered the birthplace of the renaissance, has some pretty impressive sites as well, such as The Duomo, which are all must-sees! There are also the typical tourist destinations such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (in—you guessed it—Pisa!), and the Cinque Terre.
3. The Ease of Access in and Around Italy
Vespas, trains, and buses will help you get around Italy and the cities you choose to study abroad in. Vespas and city buses are great for short distance travel within cities, getting you from point A to point B when your legs feel like they are going to fall of after walking endlessly all day (it’s easy to surpass 20,000 steps when your walking between sites—definitely a good way to burn off those calories and make room for more food 😉). And trains are a great way to transport you to different cities so you can see all of the sites! Even further, trains can talk you into different countries—hello weekend trip to Switzerland!
4. The Italiano Language (and Using Your Hands 👌)
The great part of studying abroad in Italy is that you become engulfed in the Italian language and culture. As they say, when in Rome, do as Romans do! Embrace your hands as way of speaking, and don’t be afraid to look silly. The best advice we can give in learning a new language is to not be afraid to make mistakes. So make plenty, learn from them, and then make some more! The more you embrace the discomfort and the more you practice, the closer you’ll come to fluency. This is your opportunity to experience exponential growth in your language skills. It will also help you make some local friends (and give you more reasons to come back!).
5. THE FOOD!!! (& Vino🍷)
You probably don’t need any convincing that the incredible food and fresh wine are reason enough to study abroad in Italy, but we’ll give you the low down anyway. Beyond the typical options of pizza and the ABCs of pasta, a typical dinner meal includes several dishes (and a new glass of wine perfectly paired with each)—an antipasto, a primo course with pasta or risotto, a secondo course which is the main course consisting of fish or meat, a contorno dish which is a side dish, and last, but certainly not least, dolce, the dessert! Tiramisu, panna cotta, zeppole… the list goes on. And don’t forget to sip on that limoncello as you pay your bill. Indulge in the food—enjoy it, embrace it, become it. Because you cannoli live once!
6. It’s a Popular Destination for International Students
As we’ve already mentioned, studying abroad in Italy is not a new concept. People have come to study abroad in Italy for many years and they only continue to come. This means friends galore! You will be able to make friends from around the world and create deep connections through the shared experience of traveling in Italy for the first time. Not only will you have people to study with, you will also find people to travel with and indulge in all that Italy has to offer with—plenty of opportunities to create memories that will last a lifetime.
7. That Coffee Life ☕
If you don’t drink coffee now, you might start once you move to Italy because it is part of the culture. And if you do already drink coffee, get ready to learn the new language of caffè. The classic Italian caffeinated beverage is actually an espresso, so don’t be surprised when you get that extra boost in the morning on your way to class (even though the word espresso is not actually used in Italian). The cafe culture is something to experience itself. If you want to do as locals do, pay at the register first and then give the barista your order. Once you have drink in hand, mingle with the people standing (not often sitting because it takes more time and costs more money) and enjoy your new morning routine!
The downsides of studying abroad in Italy
Because not every day can be perfect, even during study abroad programs in Italy… (though it does seem to get pretty darn close…!).
1. Carbs, Carbs, and More Carbs
Spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine, penne, rigatoni, macaroni, ciabatta, pizza… Your days may start to feel like a rotation of carbs from one meal to the next. While surrounded by the smells and the authentic tastes of true Italian cuisine, it will be hard not to order that pasta dish every time. And, quite honestly, we don’t think you should think twice about it (just think about how much you’re walking every day!), but it may be a good idea to swap a meal with a salad every once in awhile just to give your stomach a break and to make sure you are still getting all of the nutrients and greens your body needs to stay healthy.
2. It’s a Popular Destination for International Students (and Tourists)
This is one of those double edge swords that is a pro and con. Yay to friends, but boo to crowds and feeling like you are just one of the many. Although this isn’t the worst thing in the world, your trips to those famous Italian sites might take longer than expected and you may be bumping arms with tourists and other students alike just to get that picture you’ve waited all day for. Interacting with tourists may help you feel like a local, but interacting with locals may make you feel more like a tourist. So be intentional with your time and your expectations. See what you want to see, but give yourself extra time in doing so—or learn to plan strategically!
3. Italian Time ⏰
You know that weekend trip that you were so excited for? Well, your train just got delayed two minutes before it was supposed to set off towards your weekend getaway to the island of Sicily. Or you know those plans to meet your friends out after dinner with your host family? Dinner was stretched out to a three hour event causing you to miss the you-had-to-be-there stories. The best way to embrace this slow life and casual concept of time is to be flexible and go with the flow. Embrace the changes and the challenges, you will grow and learn from them. Plus, learning to slow down your life is never a bad thing, even if it takes some time to get used to. Enjoy each bite of food, each moment of conversation, and each shared laugh. Those are the moments you will hold onto if you learn to embrace them.
4. You’ll Never Want to say Arrivederci
The biggest challenge with studying abroad in Italy is that you’ll never want to leave. You may be thinking how is that a con??? And you’re right, it may not actually be a bad thing, but it certainly makes saying goodbye harder. Your life after Italy may consist of finding any way to bring up your time in Italy in conversations with friends and family, sharing throwback and take me back pictures on Instagram, and trying to find ways to save up so you can book a one way ticket back to the place you fell in love with. The great thing is that Italy will always welcome you back with open arms and kisses on your cheeks.
Next steps to study abroad in Italy
Don't pack your adorable boots juuuust yet. There are a few items on your study abroad to do list you should check off first.
- Decide where to go. Figuring out where to study abroad in Italy isn’t easy. The gorgeous highlands? Somewhere in Florence? Don't let ANYTHING hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
- Your major courses or something more fun and experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your major back home (though it never hurts to knock out some credits towards graduation). Look at your course options and decide what combination of required classes and just-for-fun-or-because-you-want-to-learn-it classes are out there. Choose from literature, the sciences, education, psychology, and more!
- Choose from the best study abroad programs in Italy. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between study abroad programs.
- Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Check out scholarships for study abroad in Italy too!
- Talk to your home university. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your home university requires. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your university to see what choices are available to you.
You’re ready for study abroad in Italy!
There you have, the pros and cons of Italy study abroad! Now that you’re stuck dreaming of gelato for days and vino (without the next-day headache 😉), we know it’ll be hard not to study abroad in Italy. Before you say “sì” to any study abroad Italy programs and before you book your flight, feel free to check out study abroad Italy reviews. It will help you feel more confident in your decision, and you’ll know more confidently that it’s something you can’t not do.
Italy, if you let it, will change your life. So if you need more reasons before committing to studying abroad in Italy, there are plenty more to list, but if you can’t stop daydreaming about yourself rome-ing the streets of various Italian cities, Italy may be your perfect study abroad destination. Before you pack your bags and go, make sure your prepare yourself with everything you need to know about studying abroad in Italy. Whether it’s a study abroad Italy summer, or a full year under the Tuscan sun, say buongiòrno to your new favorite adventure as we wish you a buon viaggio! 🛩🌍🇮🇹
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