Macy Schulte

Overall Experience

My study abroad experience in Italy was such an amazing way to travel to a new country by exploring its culture through food, learning more about its history, and growing closer to other students in my major! Our group did a wide variety of sightseeing, farm/food production tours, cooking classes, and walking city tours. Our first couple of days in Rome were busy and packed with sightseeing, covering all the important landmarks. We then spent a couple of days in Tuscania, where we enjoyed a slower, more relaxed pace, experiencing the true Italian lifestyle through family meals on local farms throughout the quieter, quaint Italian villages. Lastly, we spent about a week in Florence, where we had the opportunity to explore the city on our own, participate in two Italian cooking classes, and attend a lecture by an Italian dietitian. While in Florence, we enjoyed day trips to Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar production sites, as well as several villages throughout Tuscany. Overall, this study abroad experience gave me a deep dive into Italian food culture through hands-on adventures I will never forget!

Learning experience

One of the most valuable learning experiences I encountered was learning more about the Mediterranean diet from an Italian dietitian. Before the lecture, I had some previous background knowledge on the Mediterranean diet, but I was eager to learn more about it in detail. While learning about the different food components, nutritional information, and positive health impacts of the Mediterranean diet was interesting, what truly fascinated me was the culture surrounding it. In Italy, the Mediterranean diet is shaped by community, intention, and a true passion for food and who you share it with. Taking the time to slow down and share meals with friends and family is what makes Italy's food culture so unique and special.

Memorable experience

One of the most memorable experiences I had on the trip was our day trip to Tuscany from Florence. We were in our last town of the day, San Gimignano. We were exploring the town and enjoying some gelato when my friend Ava and I started walking down a quiet off-street away from the main part of town. The street opened up into such a gorgeous view of the Italian countryside, one I would consider picture-perfect. While the view was amazing, what I enjoyed most was the quiet and calmness. There were no other people in sight besides Ava and me. We watched as storm clouds rolled in over the green hills and vineyards; it was truly one of my favorites views of the whole trip. Getting to experience such a beautiful and peaceful moment, as a break from the hustle and bustle of Florence, was definitely a highlight for me. While not too much later it started to thunderstorm and downpour, which was a memory in itself, those twenty minutes of calm before the storm were a time I'll remember forever!

What did you not expect?

Something I did not expect while traveling in Italy, specifically Florence, was how quickly I felt comfortable navigating the city on my own. While I had traveled abroad before, it had only been with my family, when I could go on autopilot and pay little attention to how we got around. Toward the end of our trip in Florence, we had a couple of free days to venture out on our own in smaller groups, away from the large group and our professors. Having been in Florence for almost a week, I had become pretty comfortable getting around the city, as landmarks and streets had become more familiar to me. I was surprised by how comfortable I felt walking around Florence without someone telling me where to go, even sometimes without Google Maps! I think this realization gave me more confidence when traveling abroad without my family. Before this trip, I was a bit nervous about how everything would work out while traveling on my own for the first time, but I think this experience was just what I needed to give me the confidence to travel on my own! I can't wait for future opportunities to travel to new places and countries and use my newfound confidence from this trip.

What advice would you give?

My advice would be to take advantage of all the study abroad opportunities here at Iowa State. If you are lucky enough to have the option to experience studying abroad, just say yes! Like most people, I had some hesitation and worries before leaving for my study abroad experience, but those worries quickly faded with all the fun I was having and new things I was learning! If you do ever get the opportunity to experience study abroad, make the most of it and enjoy everything it has to offer. Take lots of pictures, build relationships with the people you are traveling with, and appreciate all the beauty this world has to offer!

How has this experience impacted your life?

This study abroad experience has positively impacted my life in so many ways! After gaining firsthand experience of the culture and traditions surrounding Italian food and mealtimes, I've gained a new appreciation for sharing meals with family and friends. Here in the US, mealtimes are often rushed, and we find ourselves getting takeout or eating in the car on our way to our next activity, rather than sitting down and enjoying community as we eat. I have observed that Italian meals are much more intentional and centered on the people sharing the meal, not just the food itself. Now that I have experienced this Italian way of eating, I hope to incorporate it into my own life and become more intentional with how I approach food. This study abroad experience also reaffirmed my love for food and nutrition, and made me excited to incorporate these new experiences into my future practice as a registered dietitian. I want future patients and clients I work with to understand the importance of truly enjoying the food they eat and how that can positively impact their relationship with food and their bodies.

How did you learn about this experience?

I initially learned about this study abroad experience through my academic advisor. A couple of months later, I attended the ISU study abroad fair and an informational meeting about it to learn more.

International Connections