Global Programs

Italian Cuisine and the Mediterranean Diet

Location: Florence, Italy
Dates: May 23 - June 12, 2010

APPLY: NYU Steinhardt Summer Study Abroad Application

The deadlines for the Summer Application are:
Round #1: December 6
Round #2: January 31
Round #3: February 28
 

The Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health invites you to spend three weeks studying food and nutrition in the beautiful region of Tuscany at NYU’s La Pietra. An historic Florentine residence on a 57 acre estate, La Pietra is located on one of the foothills surrounding Florence, approached by Via Bolognese just one Roman mile from the city gate of San Gallo (today Piazza della Liberta.) It is surrounded by one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, created by the Acton family who left the estate to NYU. The La Pietra estate serves as our home base as participants are immersed in a full experience of Italian food, diet, culture, and history. Through classroom instruction, field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on workshops, students explore food and nutrition in Italy from production to consumption—from farm to table—particularly as they compare with that of the United States. We examine food and nutrition on a variety of levels: from the small olive oil producers and winemakers to Italian public health philosophies, nutritional practices, and agriculture under the European Union. Throughout our journey, we take full advantage of the rich Mediterranean cuisine of Italy and examine firsthand the profound role food plays in community, family, ethnicity, nutrition, health, and national identity.

6 Points. Offered through Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health

Applicants

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for this program.  Qualifiedupper-level undergraduates (seniors with 96+ earned credits only) with related course work may be considered and will require approval from the faculty director as well as their advisor

Qualified students from other Universities are encouraged to apply. Please refer to the directions for "Non-NYU Students for Summer Abroad" on the "How To Apply" page.

Courses

E33.2208.099: International Study in Nutrition and Food (6 points)

Faculty

Lisa Sasson, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health; Registered Dietician

Field Trips

As part of our experience, we take several field trips. Not only do we learn about agriculture by touring local vineyards, farms, and olive groves, but we also examine the artisanal production of such regional specialties as olive oil, wine, breads, Parma cheeses and hams, and balsamic vinegar. In addition to explorations of culturally rich Florence and the picturesque Tuscan countryside, there is a required trip to Rome.

Costs

2010 Graduate tuition: $1203 per point, plus registration fees
2009 Housing Fee: approximately $1,500 (Students are housed in double, triple and quad rooms on the La Pietra estate.)
2009 Activity Fee: approximately $900
2009 Travel: approximately $1,100 for round-trip airfare

Flight, Travel, and Visa Information

Flight: Students book their own travel to coincide with program dates.

Passport: Valid passport required for U.S. citizens. Please note that passport must have at least six months validation beyond the day of the intended entry into the country of travel.

Visa: A student visa is required for this program. Note that the visa process is time-consuming and requires advance planning. The Office of Academic Initiatives and Global Programs will communicate with participants about visa application procedures.  

For More Information

Office of Academic Initiatives and Global Programs, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, & Human Development, New York University, 82 Washington Square East, 5th floor, New York, NY 10003; (t) 1-212-992-9380; (f) 1-212-995-4923; steinhardt.global@nyu.edu


Lisa Sasson, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, & Human Development, New York University, 35 West Fourth Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003-1172; (t) 1-212-998-5585; lisa.sasson@nyu.edu