For more than a century, French culture has been adopted as the global standard of refined taste throughout the world. As French chefs from Carême to Escoffier and Bocuse (and the countless chefs who followed) codified the rules of their national cuisine, they remade the culinary world and developed an idea for food production and consumption that still reverberates throughout the Western World. To what extent is this performance of French identity simply a myth, a perception perpetuated through movies, songs, cookbooks, and restaurants, and to what extent is this performance a reality?
Global Food Cultures: Paris will explore the Performance of French Identity through the lens of food, juxtaposing the US and French ideals of identity to unpack how issues of gender, race, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity appear when everyday lived reality clashes with espoused national ideals such as the French “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” and the American “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Food—in its production, distribution, and consumption— allows an especially intimate means of exploring identity. Through visits to markets, restaurants, bakeries, wholesale and retail outlets, farms, and cooperatives, we explore the material culture that makes possible acquiescence and resistance to these ideas of identity and ultimately will discover the limits and possibilities implicit in our own ideals.
Location:
Paris, France
Program Dates:
May 29, 2024 - June 12, 2024 (tentative; subject to change)
Faculty:
Jennifer Berg, Clinical Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies
Application Deadline:
- Priority Deadline: February 9, 2024
- Regular Deadline: March 9, 2024 (admissions continue thereafter on a space-available basis)
Find the application link and instructions on the "How to Apply" page.
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Who can participate:
- NYU graduate students
- Non-NYU graduate students and professionals who are both:
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
Related areas of study:
- Food Studies
- Nutrition
- Media
- Anthropology
- History
- Cultural analysis
This is not a complete list. We value diverse perspectives in our programs and encourage students from other majors and professions.
How to apply:
The application link and instructions, as well as the deadlines and notification timelines, can be found on the "How to Apply" page.
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This is a credit-bearing graduate Global course. Students self-register in Albert for the following course for a total of 3 credits:
- FOOD-GE 2253, Section 099 (Class #TBA) - Global Food Cultures: Paris (3 credits)
Offered through the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.
Important Note: All program applicants are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser to determine if and how this course may be applied towards their program requirements and degree completion.
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Direct Costs Billed by NYU
Participants will be billed for the cost of the graduate course following the standard per-credit rate for NYU Steinhardt Graduate Study Tuition and Fees. In addition, study abroad courses have a supplemental Housing & Activity Fee that covers the cost of housing abroad, program activities and visits, group transportation in-country, and international health insurance. Students can expect to be billed:
- Steinhardt Graduate Tuition (3 credits) - TBC
- Steinhardt Graduate Registration and Services Fees - TBC
- Housing & Activity Fee - TBC
- GeoBlue International Health Insurance - Included
Estimated Direct Cost Total - TBC
Tuition, Registration, and Housing & Activity fees will be due based on Bursar's Payment Schedule for the current term.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Students are responsible for purchasing transportation and airfare to/from the program location. Students will be notified when to book flights. We recommend comparing tickets on multiple sites to ensure the best fare. Past participants have used the following flight search engines: Kayak, Google Flights, and Student Universe for student rates.
In addition to airfare, participants should budget for: daily meals (except for included welcome and farewell meals); transportation to and from the airport; passport and/or visa fees (if applicable); vaccination costs (if applicable); and other personal incidentals.
Students are encouraged to budget for study abroad programs based on individual needs. You may use online budgeting tools such as Numbeo, Expatistan, and Budget Your Trip to budget for your ideal study abroad experience.
Scholarships
NYU Steinhardt offers several graduate study abroad scholarships and maintains a list of additional external funding opportunities.
Study Abroad Budget Worksheet
Download and use this Study Abroad Budget Worksheet to estimate the cost of your study abroad experience.
PLEASE NOTE: This spreadsheet lists possible expenses and may not be all-inclusive of program costs. In addition, your costs may fluctuate based on changes in currency exchange rates, airfare, varying personal lifestyles, etc. While this is a good tool for reviewing study abroad expenses, the results should be considered to be an estimate of the total cost of participation. -
Housing Accommodations
Students stay in shared-occupancy housing arranged by the Office of Global Affairs. Your accommodation arrangements are included in your Housing and Activity Fees. Group accommodation dates correspond with the program dates listed above.
Flight, Travel, and Visa Information
Flight: Students will be notified when to purchase flights. When notified, students will purchase a round-trip ticket to Europe to coincide with program dates. Please keep in mind that flights arriving into Paris typically depart New York a day in advance. All participants are strongly encouraged to purchase refundable flights.
Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid at least six months beyond the program end date.
Visa: US citizens require a valid passport and do not require a visa for visits to France of less than three months in duration. All other passport holders should check with their respective visa requirements.
Helpful links: US State Department, Center for Disease Control, Lonely Planet Guide Paris
Weather: The weather in Paris in the summer tends to be a bit cooler than New York, usually between 65° and 85° Fahrenheit. Visit AccuWeather to learn more about local weather condition in France.
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Pre-Departure Resources
Visit the Steinhardt Study Abroad Resources website and get a head start on preparing for your study abroad program experience.
Policies
All applicants should review the Office of Global Affairs Short-Term Graduate Courses Policies page prior to applying to study abroad.
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