'Food in Italy' Study Abroad Program Created in Human Nutrition and Hospitality Innovation

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"Hospitality, Tourism, Culture and Food in Italy" is a new study abroad opportunity available this summer.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The human nutrition and hospitality innovation program in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences is offering a study abroad opportunity in Italy this summer and spots are still open.

The “Hospitality, Tourism, Culture and Food in Italy” international experience is available from May 26 to June 26.

The program was created to enhance the marketability of students by exposing them to the complex relationships and cultural aspects between hospitality management, industry trends, food chains, dietary habits, cultural understanding, tourism, and destination marketing and management.

The program, which is worth six credit hours, includes coursework in food and wine pairing, and destination marketing and operations.

Faculty leaders are Robert Harrington, assistant director of the program and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Hospitality, and associate professor of hospitality Godwin-Charles Ogbeide.

The program features visits, workshops and stays in Rome and Florence. The Rome experience focuses on experiential knowledge of Italian destination venues, the tourism industry in Italy, destination marketing; and guided tours of tourist attractions, wine growing regions and other cultural experiences. The Florence experience includes workshops at the Florence University of the Arts on food and wine pairing; art, food, fashion and wine; creative advertising of Italian destinations; Italian cuisine and wines; and other cultural experiences.

The estimated cost is $3,200, plus U of A tuition and airfare. Hotel accommodations, cultural visits, workshops, some meals and excursions are included in the fee.

For more information, contact Harrington at rharring@uark.edu or Ogbeide at gogbeide@uark.edu, or visit studyabroad.uark.edu.