Housing
Whether living in a a homestay, shared apartment, or residence hall, students who study at the School in Italy must live with at least one native Italian-speaker. This is one of the best ways to learn Italian and to enter immediately into the Italian way of life.
Living with Italians allows students to practice the Italian language in a safe environment, to learn what the locals like to do, to taste regional cuisine with home-cooked meals, to learn about Italian culture, and to find a home away from home. That is why whether living in a a homestay, shared apartment, or residence hall, students who study at the School in Italy must live with at least one native Italian speaker. This is one of the best ways to learn Italian and to enter immediately into the Italian way of life.
Housing Process
The School in Italy offers a housing placement service to all students. Students are not required to participate in the housing placement service through Middlebury and can seek housing independently. Please note that students who opt out of Middlebury’s housing process will be solely responsible for finding and securing their own accommodations. The Middlebury sede will only be able to give students general information to help them understand what is written in contracts or regarding locations. Keep in mind that the housing office is closed during Christmas vacation and the month of August, so no assistance will be available during that time.
In April (for Fall semester) and in October (for Spring semester), all students enrolled in the program will complete a questionnaire in which they will provide information about their housing preferences and any particular needs or considerations.
Students who choose the Middlebury housing placement service will be placed in a homestay, shared apartment, or student residence hall. After the match has been made, students will receive information in order to confirm their accommodation. Students will be billed by Middlebury for their housing.
Homestays: Once the homestay is confirmed, students are required to commit to at least one month. It is not possible to change accommodations immediately upon arrival in Italy without a financial penalty. Students wishing to change accommodations must give at least one month’s notice to the landlord or host family (months are calculated on a calendar basis, for example, from September 1-30).
Residence halls: Once the assignment is confirmed, it will not be possible to change. Students are required to pay rent for the entire period.
See details about housing in the Handbook.