The Università per Stranieri is a unique institution; how many universities are basted out of the former palace of a renegade Scottish king? Because of this, it is unlike most conventional western universities. Lots can be said about Unistrapg but you’ll have time to make your own judgments. The student grapevine is a good source of useful information. Kudos and many thanks to Dott.ssa Febbroni and Direttore Rondelli for updating this section!
Palazzo Gallenga is on Piazza Fortebraccio, sometimes referred to as Piazza Grimana. There are other buildings utilized for classes (Orvieto, Valitutti, Lupattelli and Prosciutti, which Dom calls “The Hams Palace”) below Via XIV Settembre. To get there, stand with your back to Palazzo Gallenga. Cross the street and walk along the street overlooking the basketball court on the left side. Keeping straight in Via Pinturicchio, go through the arch to Porta Pesa and continue down the street on the far side of the roundabout, Via XIV Settembre. Watch out for oncoming cars going down the street on your left after the curve. The sidewalk vanishes after the bus stop; just past the building, go down the metal steps and follow the path (of old flyers) down to the road. Orvieto and Lupattelli are in front of you to the right, Prosciutti down and to the left. Okay, some other things about the University:
Enrollment >
A lively to-ing and fro-ing between the Secretariat in the basement, the bank, the Questura. The end result should be a list of your classes and a student card with stamps on it to show you have paid for the current month. It’s sometimes possible to change classes if you feel you need a higher (or lower) level. Carry the student card with you because if there is a control sweep you won’t be allowed into the building without it. The Secretariat (downstairs) is open Mo-Th 8:30-13:30 and 15-17:00, Fr 8:30-13:30 only.
Textbooks >
Yep, you’re going to need textbooks. Learn-Italian texts and books for University courses are readily available, sometimes even second-hand if you check the notice boards. Bookshops stock the standard texts prescribed for university courses.
Tours >
The Uni runs low-cost weekend tours for students to places such as Rome, Venice, Florence and destinations within Umbria. See the Welcome Point, just inside the main door and to the left for details of upcoming jaunts.
Library >
The library has been moved down to the Valitutti building.
Mail >
Foreign students can have mail sent to them care of the University. It should be addressed to you by name, c/o Università per Stranieri, Piazza Fortebraccio, 06123 Perugia, Italy. In the corridor to the right of the main stairs in Palazzo Gallenga there is a glass case with a list of people who have mail waiting for them (posta in arrivo). You’ll need to then go to the Welcome Point on the other side of the foyer to retrieve your mail. In the case of parcels, they will give you card to take to the main post office in Piazza Matteotti.
Choir >
UniStra has a resident choir made up locals and foreigners alike. Look for the notices around the Uni campuses for forthcoming rehearsal sessions. Here is the Facebook page
Wi-Fi>
If you are enrolled at UPS youwill access to free wifi. Find out where on their website