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Brooks College of Health
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Nutrition and Dietetics Study Abroad 2023

Umbria and Tuscany, Italy

May 16 - May 29, 2023

Applications for this Study Abroad are currently closed. 

italy-landscape

Study Abroad: Students participating in this 13-day program experience an authentic immersion into the social, historical, and cultural factors that impact food, nutrition, and society…while living in a beautiful country villa! You’ll learn about the Italian food system and how the local Mediterranean diet and customs affect societal health. You’ll also learn about the nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean diet and study differences in the culture surrounding food which influences health. The class structure includes lectures from prominent experts, language classes, and hands-on cooking classes. Each day offers a new and exciting adventure as we travel to hilltop towns where students visit local markets and the producers of olive oil, wine, fruits and vegetables, bread, sausage, prosciutto, pasta, pecorino cheese, gelato, and artisanal legumes. Most lunches in the hill towns we visit are provided in your trip cost and we will eat as a group to practice our Italian!

In the many cooking classes, you’ll learn from the local experts to prepare dishes from classic Umbrian cuisine as well as other regional favorites and we’ll eat the food you cooked for dinner. Meals are served in three courses which is the traditional Italian style. Villa Pieve is next to a centuries-old castle in the Umbrian countryside where you can walk in your leisure time and enjoy the Italian summer climate.

Course Names

DIE4931: Italy, Food, Culture, and Society (undergraduate)
HUN6123: Sociocultural Influences on Nutrition (graduate)
HUN7991: Nutrition in Global Health (doctoral)

landscape image of umbria with sky, buildings, and green grass
walkway street in tuscany with white buildings and red flowers
  • 2023 Tentative Itinerary

    Tuesday, May 16: Arrive in Rome, Italy by 11:30 a.m. and travel by bus to the historic Villa Pieve in Corciano. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Wednesday, May 17: 8:30 a.m.: Travel by bus to Camucia market, Santa Margherita Cathedral, and Cortona. Lunch on your own. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Thursday, May 18: 1st class meeting and language training. Lunch at Villa Pieve. Walking tour of Corciano and group dinner in Corciano. 

    Friday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.: Travel by bus to Bittarelli legume/grain farm for a walking tour and early group lunch. After lunch, travel to Assisi- a tour of Basilica Saint Francis and free time and dinner on your own in Assisi.

    Saturday, May 20: Travel by bus to Perugia (first stop at town market at Pian di Massiano and reach the city center by mini-metro for pizza group lunch). City walking tour of Perugia. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Sunday, May 21: Travel by bus to Spoleto, group lunch, and Carletti Olive Oil producer. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Monday, May 22, 8:30 a.m.: Travel by bus to Siena. Tour the Gothic-Romanesque Duomo and explore the city. Lunch on your own. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Tuesday, May 23: Travel by bus to Montelabate Abbey for a tour and group lunch followed by a guided tour of the medieval watermill for the modern production of stone-ground organic flour used for pasta and bread. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Wednesday, May 24, 8:30 a.m.: travel by bus to the University of Perugia for a campus tour, discussions, etc. On-campus group lunch. After lunch, walk to the city of Perugia for a tour. Evening free time/dinner on your own. 

    Thursday, May 25, 9:00 a.m.: Trip by bus to Pietralunga Giuliano Tartufi in Pietralunga for truffle hunting and group lunch, and on the way back visit Gubbio. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Friday, May 26, 8:30 a.m.: Travel by bus to Orvieto, visit St. Patrick’s well, group lunch, and tour of Adriano’s underground artifacts and the Cathedral. Group dinner at Slow Food Restaurant. 

    Saturday, May 27, 9:30 a.m.: Travel by bus Fattoria FONTEMANNA for pecorino cheese production. Group lunch and cheese tasting at the Abbazia di Montecorona restaurant. Group Dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Sunday, May 28, 8:30 a.m.: Travel by bus to Montefalco region, visit PARDI farm to learn about grape production, and group lunch. On the way back visit Etruscan Tomb Ipogeo dei Volumni. Roundtable discussion with invited guests and gala dinner at Villa Pieve. 

    Monday, May 29, 6:30 a.m.: Travel to Rome via bus for return to the U.S. or further personal travel. Do not book return flights leaving before 11:00 a.m.

  • Course Prerequisites
    • Undergraduate, Graduate, Post Baccalaureate, or Doctorate standing
      • Students must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid passport.
    • Priority given to UNF Brooks College of Health students
    • Students from other programs admitted upon space availability
    • There are no pre-requirements for the course.
  • Student Requirements
    • Complete the application for study abroad through UNF myWings. Please see How to Apply for more details.
    • Register for 
      • DIE4931: Italy Food, Culture and Society
        (for undergraduate students)
      • HUN6123: Sociocultural Influences on Nutrition (for graduate students)
      • HUN7991: Nutrition in Global Health
        (for doctoral students)
    • Make all payments in a timely manner
    • Attend all pre-trip and post-trip meetings
    • Complete all course assignments

    *Students must complete an application for the study abroad and if accepted, they must make all payments in a timely manner. Students will register for the 3-credit class during the regular registration period for summer classes and will pay the usual course fee. Students are expected to attend the pre-trip mandatory meetings unless other arrangements are made with the class leaders. All required pre-trip paperwork must be completed as well. Summer classes start on 5/15/23 and end on 8/4/23.

  • Program Cost

    Program cost includes:

    • Lodging for 16 days
    • 42 meals
    • Language and cooking classes
    • Daily transportation
    • Mandatory pre-departure orientation at UNF Brooks College of Health

    Program cost varies by year and number of students; please email program leaders for more information.

    Program cost does not include:

    • Tuition and fees
    • Airfare
    • Some meals (3 lunches)
    • Personal expenses (tips for the bus driver, etc.) 
      • $170 for a new passport if needed. 
      • Passports must be applied for by January 15, 2022.
      • The current ETA for passports is 12-18 weeks so apply as soon as possible passport fees 

    The estimated total cost of the program is dependent on the number of students participating undergraduate and graduate students. The cost includes lodging, most meals, language and cooking classes, and daily transportation.

    Students will also need to pay on their own (1) airfare, (2) tips for the bus driver (3) personal expenses such as lunch/dinner on their own, and (4) UNF tuition for the study abroad class. Any money left over after the end of the program will be distributed to participants. Students must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid passport. (Passports must be applied for by January 15, 2023). 

    Note: The total program cost is the best estimate based on current information. If prices change, students are responsible for paying any increases in program costs if this does occur.

  • How to Apply

    Applications for this Study Abroad are currently closed. 


    The application process for all of our study abroad programs is now online! 

    1. Log into your UNF myWings account and look under “Online Forms” to complete the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Application
    2. Following application completion, your application will be reviewed and if approved you will receive an email about Pre-Orientation and how to make your non-refundable deposit by January 13th, 2023.

    For further information, contact one of the course faculty leaders: 

    Dr. Catherine Christie: E-mail:  c.christie@unf.edu  Tel: (904) 620-1202

    Dr. Jen Ross: E-mail: j.ross@unf.edu Tel: (904) 620-5231

  • Scholarship Opportunities

    There are many ways to fund your study abroad experience. It is never too early to research your options, start applying for scholarships and save your money.

    • If you are an Honors College student, you can inquire about their scholarship opportunities.
    • UNF Sails Scholarships are partial scholarships awarded on a competitive basis to UNF students. They are partial, not full scholarships.
      • Note: Students awarded TLO funding will be ineligible to apply for SAILS for the same activity
    • All undergraduate students are eligible to receive up to $1,500 for this trip as part of the Transformational Learning Opportunity (TLO) grant. The amount awarded for TLO is dependent upon the number of students in attendance. 
    Summer 2023 SAILS Applications are due Friday, March 10 2023 at 11:59 PM in myWings. 
  • Travel and Flight Information
    Participants purchase their own airline tickets and commit to meeting in Rome at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, by 11:30 a.m. to take the prearranged and included transportation to Villa Pieve. The exact meeting location at the airport will be provided in advance. Return transportation to Rome via bus is included in the cost of the trip. Departing flights on May 29, 2023, should not leave before 11: 00 a.m. Students may participate in pre-and/or post-study abroad travel on their own which is separate from the UNF program.
  • Safety and Health Abroad
    Students' safety and well-being are paramount to UNF. Italy is considered one of the safest countries in the world and enjoys much lower rates of violence and crime than the United States. However, because of the added stresses associated with operating in a foreign culture and language, even the safest foreign locations may carry a risk to your safety and health. For this reason, it is vital that you learn as much about the places you will be traveling to; the more you are familiar with the host country's geography, culture and language, the safer you will be. All participants will be required to attend this program-specific orientation and sessions. In addition to these sessions, the International Program will provide other important safety information.
  • COVID-19 Traveling to Italy
    Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements will be discussed at our January Orientation.
  • US Department of State
  • Contact Us

    Please contact our head faculty leaders with any questions about the Italy Study Abroad. 

    Dr. Catherine Christie: E-mail:  c.christie@unf.edu  Tel: (904) 620-1202

    Dr. Jenifer Ross: E-mail: j.ross@unf.edu Tel: (904) 620-2328