Studying Abroad in Italy for a Year: The Complete Guide

If you're thinking about studying abroad for a year in Italy, you have come to the right place.

Studying abroad, whether in Italy or somewhere else, is an incredible experience that will give you lifelong memories and may even shift your perspective of the world!

There are a lot of things to do to prepare for a year in Italy. Whether you're heading overseas as part of an in-university program or you've found your own public program and are taking the leap, we're here to help.

Read ahead to learn everything you need to know about spending a year abroad studying in Italy.

🇺🇸 Please note: the specific advice in this guide is for US citizens looking to study abroad in Italy.

How to study abroad in Italy

There are a few different paths that American students can take to study abroad in Italy. One of those is through your current university.

Many universities have official exchange programs for their students. Through these programs, schools forge connections with foreign schools abroad and can then offer programs with transferable credits. Your university might have a program in Rome, for example.

However, what if you're not currently in university? Or you're looking for a one-off program? There are some international schools in Italy available to the general public, should your enrollment be approved. There are also third-party companies that offer study-abroad experience packages.

We will get into the details below, but in general, studying abroad for a year in Italy looks likes this:

• Meeting the eligibility requirements. To study abroad in Italy for a year, there are requirements that you will need to be able to meet. One of the more significant barriers can be financial. To study abroad, whether through a college program or not, you will need to show that you can support yourself during your entire stay in Italy. There are additional requirements that we will discuss later.
• Applying to the program of your choice. Either through your university or to one of the schools that accept international applicants or a third party program.
• Receiving an admissions letter. Once you receive an acceptance letter, you can begin the formal visa process.
• Applying for your study visa. Italy has a visa designed specifically for foreign students. To study abroad in Italy for a year, this visa is mandatory and comes with a list of requirements (such as the financial element mentioned above).
• Preparing for your move. Once your visa is approved, the next step is preparing to move abroad! Exciting!

Studying abroad through a university program

One of the most common ways to study abroad is by choosing a program available through your university's study abroad department.

Many universities have departments dedicated to study abroad programs and initiatives. If you're just starting the process, it may be worth it to schedule a short meeting with an advisor in the department. They will be able to walk you through the available options, what they mean for your academic progress, and what the overall investment is. They'll tell you whether or not an opportunity exists in your dream city - Milan, anyone? 💅🏻

One of the perks of working with your university is that you may have access to Italian schools, courses, and social programs that you wouldn't have access to otherwise. Additionally, some programs can help you with the more logistical parts of the process, like advising you on the visa application process for example.

Studying in Italy without a university or agency

Some students choose to apply directly to the school of their choice instead of going through a university exchange program or a third-party agency.

According to the Italian Embassy, the following schools accept public applicants:

• American University of Rome
• John Cabot University (Rome)
• St. John's University (Rome)
• The John Hopkins University - The Bologna Center Paul H. Nitze of Advanced International Studies (Bologna)
• Università degli Studi Gugliemo Marconi - USGM (Rome)

When applying, make sure you fulfill the application requirements for the specific program(s) you're interested in.

Studying abroad in Italy through an agency

Some agencies/businesses offer study abroad programs in Italy. These programs can help pair you with a school and offer some form of guidance/assistance along the way, depending on the specific one that you work with.

With that said, these programs often offer short-term programs, such as for a month, semester, or summer.

Studying in Italy for a year: visa requirements

Note: This information is specifically for US citizens looking to study abroad in Italy

To apply for an Italian student visa, you are required to submit a series of documentation as part of your visa application. According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, students will be required to submit the following documents to apply for a study visa:

• Valid passport/travel document.
• A completed entry visa application form.
• Recent passport-sized photograph.
• Enrollment/pre-enrollment into an Italian university course.
• Financial proof.
• Proof of medical insurance coverage, including hospitalization
• Proof of coverage for repatriation
• Proof of Italian/English language proficiency per the program you've been accepted into

According to both the Los Angeles Italian Consulate and the Houston Italian Consulate, you must apply for a study visa at the consulate in your jurisdiction.

Los Angeles accepts applications from California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Houston accepts them from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. You'll need to find your jurisdiction depending on your state of residence.

Preparing for your life in Italy

Once you have been accepted into your program and your visa has been approved, it's time to make the most of this opportunity and take steps to thrive in your new life, whether that's Florence, Milan, Rome, or somewhere else.

While a year can seem like a long time out the gate, it'll go by quickly once you're settled.

Here, you'll find general tips for making the most out of your time studying abroad. When it comes to Italy specifically, here are some things to keep in mind!

• Make sure you understand any work allowance. Check your specific visa to see if you're permitted to work while studying in Italy. Unless your visa allows you to, you will not be able to work (even remotely/part-time) while studying abroad.
• Get familiar with a map of Italy. One of the perks of studying abroad is getting to see new cities (and potentially countries)! Check out the cities, artifacts, and landmarks around you to get ideas about day trips/weekend trips.
• Learn about the Italian train system. Italy is known for having an easy, fast, and inexpensive train system, allowing you to get all around the country quickly and affordably. If you want to visit different parts of Italy during your year abroad, this will be an invaluable resource to you!
• Be wary of pickpockets. In larger cities, popular tourist destinations, and crowded places (like public transport), there are often pickpockets. Make sure you keep your phone and wallet in a purse or bag, ideally on the front of your body. Many pickpockets are incredibly quick and stealthy. You may not even notice your phone is gone until you're long off the metro.
• Prepare to adapt to a new dinner time. Unlike in the States, it's common for Italian restaurants to close between lunch and dinner services. If they don't close, they'll often only be serving drinks between the two. Eating dinner at 7 or 8 pm isn't uncommon!
• Learn a few basic phrases. If you haven't taken Italian/aren't studying it while abroad, make sure to learn a few phrases in Italian. Even learning the basics like hello, goodbye, sorry, and thank you can make a big difference to the people around you.
• Latte means milk, literally. If you cannot wait to order a latte in Italy, this one will be helpful! In Italian, the translation for latte is milk. If you want espresso with hot milk (which is what we call lattes in the States), order a latte macchiato.
• Validate your public transportation tickets. Even if you purchased your ticket(s) fair and square, you'll need to validate it when you ride. Forgetting to do this can result in a fine.