“In our lives, where everything is planned, determined, the only unexpected thing possible is an error in the administrative machine with its unpredictable consequences. The bureaucratic error becomes the only poetry (black poetry) of our time. – Milan Kundera

Studying abroad is a project that many international students have during their school years. The discovery, the exchanges, a new opening to the world, the positive experience of a university year in another country … the benefits are numerous . Among the favorite countries of Spanish students we find Italy.

According to a report by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Spaniards registered in the consular registers in 2006 was about 20,000, a figure that has undoubtedly increased in recent years. Although this figure is almost twenty years ago, we note, nevertheless, that the craze for the Italian language and culture is very strong among foreign students.

However, like any project or experiment, international mobility requires a certain organization , within which you will have to foresee certain bureaucratic issues if you want to go to Italy to study . In fact, in this article, we will see some of these procedures.

Have an acceptable level of Italian to study in Italy

Before leaving for Italy, we are usually enthusiastic, perhaps too much and we do not always pay attention to certain formalities that, however, are usually very important when discovering a foreign country and its way of life . Because going to Italy is not just a semester of gastronomic discovery, it also implies having to speak the language a little .

You should know that, when planning a stay in Italy , whether you are a university or not, some universities are quite strict . In fact, there are universities that require a B2 level according to the CEFR, more commonly known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages .

The Council of Europe publishes a document called Learn, Teach and Assess , which since 2001 defines the levels of knowledge, technique and competence of a foreign language. These delimitations are studied according to different criteria and different consequences .

You also have to know that studying abroad, especially in Italy, involves acting linguistically like a local . In fact, any foreign student will be able to benefit from the same courses as the local ones. However, without a language test and an acceptable level, it will be difficult to follow the course correctly.

The teacher will not worry about your level in Italian and will teach his class as usual. If you feel confident in your Italian, you will have an optimal immersion . For this, there are diplomas, presented in the form of tests, which are true gateways to Italian universities:

• The CILS : the Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera , issued through the Institutes of Italian culture , makes it possible to avoid the language tests that are often imposed by Italian universities. The CILS is divided into four levels , corresponding to the language skills of the speaker: from a daily situation to employment under very specific conditions. In this way, we can enroll in a training that corresponds to our level and thus benefit from adapted courses and online Italian classes .
• The CELI : the same happens with this certificate, divided into 6 levels (from level A1 to level C2). The Certificato di conoscenza della Lingua Italiana  is recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugio. The education system has made this certificate more professional than the CILS, but both are known to be real engines for progress in language courses. Why don’t you find out about the Italian courses in Madrid before you go?

For these two certificates, there are advanced courses in order to prepare for success and avoid many worries at the time of enrollment in an institution of higher education.

In addition, it must be taken into account that to register in CILS, it is mandatory to go through a qualified center in Spain . Additionally, an exam fee is required to enroll. In general, the price will be around € 100, but it can go up to € 180, depending on the candidate’s level and exam place.

Ensuring the level that we have in Italian is, therefore, a necessary point to be able to follow the courses correctly and progress in the discipline.