A summer food course teaches two study abroad students all about Italy
Arely Saucedo Castaeda and Judith Olguin walked away from their summer abroad in Italy with a newfound appreciation for global diversity and the realization that it is truly a privilege to travel. According to a release from the University of the Ozarks, both seniors enrolled in a Summer Session II class, Food and Culture, with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Verona program.
Their study abroad experience included class field trips around the region to see the facilities and meet the people behind the cuisine. In addition to breaking down how the Verona marketplace model works, the students learned about the unique ways coffee is produced in Venice.
“In my food and culture class, our professor took us to a coffee brewery where they sell specialty coffee,” Saucedo said. “We learned all about what makes specialty coffee and why it is called specialty. The second field trip was to the local food market, where all the fruits, vegetables, fish, and wine are locally sourced from the Veneto Region.”
The hands-on experience taught them the important role food plays in a culture’s value system. It’s a lesson they’ll take with them when exploring other cultures and meeting people from diverse cultures in the workplace.
Arley and Judith also took full advantage of the public transportation system to immerse in Italian culture by attending an opera, visiting ancient sites, and eating gelato outside of class. Please read the full details of their trip on ozarks.edu.
Field trips and tours
Many USAC programs offer tours and field trips to get students a first-hand look at culturally meaningful activities, such as local events, museums, historical sites, businesses, parks and recreation areas, and more. The schedule for USAC outings all depends on which term you choose and what’s going on in the area when you’re abroad. Some of the excursions are free and included with the program, and others require an extra fee. Look at the Activities pages for each program on usac.edu.
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- Verona, Italy
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Business, Management, and Marketing
Communications, Media, and Journalism
Culture, Identity, and Society
Education and Human Services
Fine Arts, Music, and Film
World Language Skills
Health Sciences, Psychology, and Public Health
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