ISI Abroad

One final carousel to celebrate our Marine Biology course 🩵🦀🇮🇹

For the past three summers, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming students to this intensive 4-week program split between Florence and Elba Island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Accompanied by Professor Rebecca Branconi and TA Niccolò Graziani, our Penn State students experienced field research firsthand: studying local flora and fauna, spotting dolphins, and diving into crystalline waters to collect samples. 🤿

This course is something we at ISI are especially proud of. It relies on the work and collaboration of many people, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners on Elba Island for making this experience possible year after year. 💙
Legambiente Arcipelago Toscano

During their Summer study abroad program with ISI Florence, PSU HDFS students visited the Quartiere 5 Orti Sociali, a community garden project in Florence focused on sustainability, inclusion, and social connection. 🍅🥬

Students were welcomed by Filippo Ferraro, President of Quartiere 5, and Niccolò Zerini, President of the Environmental Commission, who shared how the garden plots are assigned and explained how the project creates spaces for retirees and families to connect through gardening and shared community life.

Several of the “nonni” also welcomed students into their plots, proudly showing the fruits and vegetables they are growing while sharing stories, memories, and life experiences! 👴🏼🥦

The visit ended with bruschetta and fresh mozzarella, giving students and gardeners more time to talk and connect. 🇮🇹

Spotted! 🐬

Our Marine Biology students on Elba Island had the amazing opportunity of seeing dolphins up close in the Mediterranean with professor Branconi, thanks to Centro.ricerca.cetacei 💙

The students entered the International Sanctuary of Mediterranean Marine Mammals, a protected area established in 1999. The sanctuary is located in an area rich in plankton and pelagic life, making it the perfect habitat for Mediterranean cetaceans!

Our students had the chance to learn all about the species present in the area, threats to the ecosystem and got to listen to ultrasound emissions with a hydrophone.

Thank you to Centro Ricerca Cetacei for the amazing opportunity! 🩵

Raise your glass for 25 years of excellence abroad! 🇮🇹

25 years ago we welcomed our first 31 students. This past spring, we welcomed over 550. It took hard work, constant growth, and a lot of people who believed in what we were building.

This week we celebrated in Florence alongside our Faculty-Led programs, some of whom have been with us for many years, and some who are just beginning their journey with us. Their trust in what we do has been instrumental in making ISI Florence what it is today, and we could not be more grateful.

So here's to all of you who worked with passion to promote excellence abroad and to a bright future full of great new adventures. Cheers! 🥂❤️

🎓 Dreaming of an American university experience in the heart of Italy? The Umbra Institute has you covered this spring!

Join us from January to September 2026:
🌟 Take up to two courses for FREE
🌟 Attend classes in English alongside American students
🌟 Dive into a range of extra-curricular activities including language tandem exchanges, workshops, and excursions!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your horizons and add international flair to your academic journey. Spots are limited, so act fast!

🔗 Apply now – Link in bio!
📧 Need more info? Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Learn more about studying abroad at Umbra Institute: umbra.org📌