About this episode
The episode explores the challenges and victories of a student adapting to a new culture and language in Perugia.
What does it feel like to land in a new city where you don’t yet speak the language? In this episode, we follow the story of Ali, a student who arrived in Perugia to study at Umbra without knowing a word of Italian. Through her experience, we explore the challenges—and the small victories—of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and finding connection in unfamiliar places. You'll also hear how Umbra supports students through this transition, helping them not just to navigate the language, but to feel at home. Tune in for an honest, inspiring look at the early days of immersion—and what it means to truly dive in.
People in this episode
Guest: Ali
Topics covered
- language learning
- cultural adaptation
- student experience
- immersion
- connection
Keywords
- language
- cultural adaptation
- student
- Perugia
- Italian
- immersion
- Umbra Institute
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Umbra Institute
Places: Perugia, Italian
More episodes of The Umbra Podcast
- Ep. 45 - A Partnership in Action: Caritas & Umbra - Volunteering at the Don Gualtiero Soup Kitchen (Episode 1) · April 20, 2026 · 20 min
- Ep. 44 - The City as a Classroom: A Conversation with Umbra Director Zach Nowak · March 12, 2026 · 21 min
- Ep. 43 - International Foods in Perugia: A Student Exploration · February 3, 2026 · 10 min
- Ep. 42 - Tables of Italy: Agriturismo · December 19, 2025 · 16 min
- Ep. 41 - Exploring Italian Dialects · November 19, 2025 · 18 min
- Ep. 40 - Ready for Perugia: Preparing for Your Study Abroad Journey · October 29, 2025 · 20 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Umbra Podcast podcast page.