Author: Valeria Fernandez | Major: Human Nutrition & Dietetics | Semester: Summer 2024

Called “Fontana della Barcaccia” and located in the Piazza de Spagna, this public water fountain pours out from a local aqueduct source. Aqueducts are significant sources of local and affordable drinking water in Italy.

During the early Fall semester of 2023, I was the first eager applicant to go for the U of A faculty-led program titled, “The Food and Culture of the Italian Mediterranean.” Studying abroad had been something I considered doing since I first heard of it in my introductory courses, and seeing peers jump into it in the first year of college encouraged me to want to experience what it’d be like, too. Months after applying and attending study abroad interviews and meetings, I’d finally made it happen.
The first week of the program was spent in Rome, and the final four days were spent in Florence. The total period of the trip was from May 12th to May 23rd. I decided to go to Italy to expand my awareness of how food is shared and enjoyed in a country other than the two I am already familiar with – the U.S. and Costa Rica. Seeking exposure in this way allows me to gain insight into recognizing distinctions between cultures and applying it to my skills for individualized care when working with clients as a future dietitian. Italy is also home to the Slow Food Movement, which focuses on supporting local business, sustainable foods, and preserving traditional cuisines. With Slow Food, there is an emphasis on being fully present during meals and enjoying food as an experience as opposed to the fast-paced lifestyles of eating in the U.S. Italy was also a way for me to connect to experiences previously held by older family members. My grandma loves visiting Italy, and she recently went on a trip with a group of other older women who went to learn about the country’s culture. Going in person would have nurtured my ability to physically live the moments that I had only heard and imagined through her storytelling.

During our trip, we received a food tasting of a unique kind on just about every day that we were there. One of the most interactive ones that we participated in was a city food tour in Rome. We began the tour by trying square pizza slices that locals often enjoy as a street snack and then headed to a shop that sold famous pork-based, snack-sized sandwiches, for pork is one of their most accessible sources of meat. Following the sandwiches, we were led to a restaurant where we had the option to choose between pasta varieties. On almost any menu that we were offered in restaurants, Cacio e Peppe (“cheese and pepper”) was one dish that never failed to be offered to us, as it’s one of their most popular Italian pastas. Towards the end of the tour, I was feeling quite stuffed, so in a very friendly and hospitable manner, the guide kindly requested to get me a warm tea to help me feel better. Lastly, we ended the tour with a tasty gelato treat. I loved getting to know the local foods while actively being immersed and exploring through it.

While in Italy, I noticed how much more present local businesses were. In the U.S., many of our restaurants and food shops are big chains that have multiple locations in many states, and they tend to dominate our food scene. It’s a significant contrast from that of the local food scene in Italy, which reflects the values of the Slow Food Movement and responsible consumerism. Regarding Slow Food, our group got the opportunity to listen to lectures held by admirable advocates of the movement. During one of our lectures, we ate at a place named Spirito DiVino, where chefs were said to be highly involved in the Slow Food Cooks Alliance. In one of the dishes they served us – roasted cauliflower topped with pomegranate – we learned that pomegranate is a symbol of good luck.
In addition to the tours we had in popular city spots, we also got to explore less crowded areas in locations that included a beautiful vineyard to try food and wine pairings. We even got an amazing opportunity to participate in a hands-on cooking class at Azienda Agricola Monteriolo, where we made fettuccine, ravioli, and tiramisu from scratch! While tasting and cooking, we learned about the history and vast variety of the olive trees and oils as well as the origin of wines. The speakers also discussed the food science behind how these foods are designed and why certain options pair best with certain categories of food. Depending on where our lecture was, some presenters pulled out physical maps of Italy to point to origin locations, and others directly walked us through historical caves that had been utilized for centuries. It was fascinating how far back Italians could talk about history in general, going as far back as the “hundreds” or even discussing events in the context of “BC.” It made the U.S. feel so “recent” and future-focused, in comparison.

Departing from Florence to the U.S. on the final day was a tragic battle – at least for me personally. I know traveling can require a lot of energy, but I really loved being in Italy with such a lovely group of people. The memories I made, the bonds I created with our study abroad group, the new cultures I learned about, and being in a city where you could get around by walking or using public transport easily – I thought it was amazing to experience first-hand. One thing I would have changed, though, would be to maybe bring a water bottle with a strap. I had a bottle, but barely used it because I didn’t want to carry it around on our long walks, so I ended up thirsty or over-buying water many times during tours. For anyone exploring a walkable country like Italy, I’m sure a water bottle with a strap would come in handy! Otherwise, the trip was phenomenal.