Haas scholarship expands study abroad opportunities for culinary food science students

AMES, Iowa – From gelato made with fruit grown steps away to rooms filled with thousands of aging Parmigiano Reggiano wheels, culinary food science students experienced food at its source during For the Love of Food and Italy, a two-week study abroad course. Several received support from the new Haas study abroad scholarship.

“Taking a gelato tour was amazing because we got to see the farm where they grow fruits and then how they use those to make their gelato,” said culinary food science junior Anna Boyer, one of five students who received a Haas scholarship for spring 2026. “And the Parmigiano Reggiano tour was amazing because we saw how they processed the cheese, and then we were in a room with 33,572 cheese wheels!”

Founded by Iowa State alumna Jill Haas ‘82, the scholarship provides culinary food science students with funds to study abroad. Haas is now retired after a 37-year career in the food industry, which included roles in quality control, research and development, and test kitchens with companies such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Kraft General Foods. 

Haas said her own experiences shaped her decision to support international opportunities.

“My favorite class at Iowa State was called Cultural Food Perspectives,” she said. “My travel opportunities expanded on that education. Experiencing different cultures, cuisines and culinary traditions broadens a person’s perspective about other people and the world. Even having the opportunity to walk through a foreign market or grocery store can give one a new perspective and even provide new product ideas.”

Haas established the scholarship after meeting with Erica Beirman, Degner Teaching Professor in Culinary Food Science.

“We discussed her passion for supporting students and connecting them with travel to broaden their professional view about food and the world,” Beirman said. “We also discussed how the scholarship money would be used to enhance the opportunities for students in Culinary Food Science to participate in a study abroad program.”

Haas said she hopes the scholarship expands access to those experiences.

“By helping students to study abroad, I hope to remove part of the financial barriers and give students the opportunity to develop new skills, gain confidence and return to school with a deeper appreciation of global food cultures,” she said.

In Italy, students did just that, gaining a greater understanding of global food systems through cooking classes, industry tours and visits to cultural sites.

“No matter how many steps we took, it was more than worth it to see the tourist sites in Rome, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and the Vatican,” Boyer said.

Culinary food science senior Darin Crow said the experience offered a new perspective on how culture shapes food systems.

“My favorite part of my study abroad experience was gaining a deep perspective on how culture intertwines with modern society,” he said.

Through tours and site visits, Crow observed the balance between tradition and innovation in Italian food production.

“To protect traditional methods of producing historical products, such as balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano, the EU has set standards,” he said. “These products follow a single production method founded in a specific region of Italy.”

He said those experiences highlighted how longstanding practices continue to influence modern industry.

“Many farmers and producers follow tradition to achieve the highest quality products in a way that has worked for generations,” he said. “Despite this, innovation can still take place.”

For both students, the Haas scholarship played a key role in making the experience more accessible.

“It means everything to get the amazing support to help not only me, but other students, see Italy and gain amazing experiences around the world,” Boyer said. “It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am forever grateful for.”

Crow said the financial support helped remove a significant barrier.

“Receiving a study abroad scholarship means I can be surrounded by a different environment with so much history to offer, without the cost being as much of a burden as it otherwise would,” he said.