Proverbs 3:5

Tshlene’ Goes to Florence, Italy

"Help Me Get to Florence: Turning Dreams into Journeys"

"Help Me Get to Florence: Turning Dreams into Journeys"

Conducting research in Florence is important to me. This experience will push me to be more independent, to trust in my decisions, and to embrace every opportunity for personal, academic, and professional growth.

On this journey, I am excited to explore how food, culture, and history intersect, giving me the opportunity to grow intellectually while embracing the beauty of experiential learning. The rich traditions of Florence—its art, cuisine, and lifestyle—will not only deepen my understanding of the world but also open my eyes to new ways of thinking and living. I will have the chance to embrace a slower, more mindful approach to life that celebrates the simple joys of food, community, and connection.

I’ve always aspired to be—someone who is open to new experiences, who is confident in their abilities, and who is not afraid to grow and evolve in the face of challenges.

Thank you for being here and for your support!

I will be away for just 9 days, summer 2025. This is a short term study.

PROGRAM COSTS:

  • Program Fee: $3,990

  • Study Abroad Fee: $295

  • Flight: $1,900

  • Food: 9 days x $30 = $300

  • TOTAL = $6,485

DeBell/Kays Study Abroad Scholarship AWARD $1,500

I am happy to announce that I have been selected to receive the DeBell/Kays Study Abroad award in the amount of $1,500 to attend the Tuscan Culture and Cuisine (Honors) program.

This fund was founded to honor the donors' families, many of whom maintain deep cultural ties to the countries they emigrated from but who never had the opportunity to go back or go abroad. The donors are committed to student study abroad and know that students grow and broaden their appreciation of other cultures and people when living abroad.

Tuscan Culture and Cuisine: Heritage, Health, and Identity in the Mediterranean Diet (Honors)


Learning Goals:

  • Understand historical, social, cultural, environmental, political, and economic impacts on regional Italian foodways

  • Apply key anthropological concepts and theories to the production, preparation, and consumption of food in Italy

  • Distinguish among the regional food cultures throughout Italy, identifying both differences and patterns among them

  • Critically analyze how modernity and globalization impact local and regional food traditions

  • Contrast Italian foodways in Italy with Italian food as experienced in the U.S.

  • Understand the health benefits of the Mediterranean diets and the associated practices of the region that help foster good health

  • Identify how various cultural behaviors around food and eating affect the overall wellness of individuals.