Study Abroad in Italy

Author: Grace Corroum | Major: Human Nutrition and Dietetics | Semester: Summer 2024

This is me at the Trevi fountain in the city center of Rome.

My name is Grace Carroum and I am studying human nutrition and dietetics through Bumpers College. I studied abroad in Italy through a faculty-led program with SAI. I studied abroad in Italy because it has some of the best food in the world. They eat a Mediterranean diet there, and as a nutrition student, I wanted to learn more about their diet and hospitality in Italy. I am fascinated by the importance of food to the Italian culture. This summer, I stayed in Rome for 1 week and then in Florence for 1 week. While abroad I learned about the Slow Food movement in Italy. Slow Food is a global movement acting together to ensure good, clean, and fair food for all. Along with that, we got first-hand experience at the farmers market in Florence. We learned about each vendor and where they are from. We even got to try some of the fresh food that was served. I loved learning about different types of fruits, meats, and cheeses that I had never tried before. Another moment that stood out to me was our lecture on olive oil. Italian olive oils are generally considered to be some of the highest-quality olive oils in the world. They are often made from a variety of olives that are grown in specific regions of Italy and are known for their distinct flavors and aromas. We learned that the best way to know if an olive oil is good is to try it. To try olive oil, first you smell it, then you put some in your mouth, then breathe in oxygen to spread the flavor, then swallow. Although it doesn’t taste that great, it was interesting to see the difference between good olive oil and rancid olive oil.

If I could give advice to students interested in studying abroad, the first thing I would tell them is to do it! Pulling the plug on the trip can be anxiety-inducing, but it is worth it. I remember questioning whether or not I would still want to do this trip in 8 months and the answer was yes. I only got more excited for the trip. My other advice is to fully immerse yourself in the culture. It is easy to get caught up in touristy things and spots, but when you can try to live like a local. It allows you to see the country you visit from another perspective. One example is smaller local restaurants instead of the flashy tourist restaurants. The food is always better. A pro tip is to ask a local what their favorite restaurant is. Something that I recommend being prepared for is traveling. First off, the airport and plane. Stay hydrated, and be prepared to sleep on the plane. Also, have all of your things ready at the airport. Passport, ID, etc should be at hand and a carry-on bag ready to go through security.  Once you get to the country, their transportation might be a little different. For example, in Italy I had to take the train but I was not familiar with the train system. I wish I was more prepared for the way they travel differently in Europe.