Makenna Bode

Overall Experience

This study abroad in Italy was truly an experience of a lifetime. Not only did I learn about nutrition and food production in Italy, but I also grew closer to others in my major and learned more about myself. Every day was a new adventure filled with endless opportunities to learn and grow. We were busy from what felt like sunrise to sunset, but every tour, lecture, cooking class, and gelato run made this a trip I will never forget. We toured two organic farms: one producing fruit for gelato, and the other mainly olive trees and lavender. We participated in two cooking classes in Florence that were a lot of fun, and it felt like we were on a cooking show, which I enjoyed! We had walking tours of both Tuscania and Florence, where I learned a lot of history and came to understand the significance and meaning behind these historic and beautiful buildings. We toured a balsamic vinegar production site and a Parmigiano Reggiano production site in Modena. Rome was full of sightseeing, and a lot of walking, which is a great way to explore the ins and outs of a city. This trip allowed us to really experience Italian culture through the different activities in each city, while also learning about food production and nutrition in Italy.

Learning experience

There were valuable learning experiences every day, but one that stands out to me was the Mediterranean diet lecture we had. I really enjoyed hearing from an Italian nutritionist and how she goes about her practice. The Mediterranean diet has been proven to be one of the healthiest; however, it is important to note that much has changed since the original Mediterranean diet emerged. Learning about those differences was interesting, especially hearing that meat consumption has increased in the current Mediterranean diet but is still significantly lower than meat consumption in America. It was fascinating to learn the emphasis on family meal times and community, and how that helped shape the diet.

Memorable experience

There were many memorable experiences on this trip, but the one that stands out the most to me was visiting an organic fruit farm in the countryside outside Florence. It was quite peaceful, and we were surrounded by mountains and the sounds of nature, which was a nice break from the city atmosphere in Florence. The owner gave us a tour of the fruit farm and shared that all of his fruit is used to make gelato. The owner owns the farm along with his own Gelato company, Carabe. He shared with us the importance of using a few high-quality ingredients, such as organic fruit, to make gelato. He also shared with us his passion for what he does and how he does it for the people, not necessarily for the business or money. My favorite part of the day was when we ate a typical Sicilian breakfast, composed of bread and lemon granita, overlooking the beautiful mountains and countryside. That view, along with the refreshing granita, was one of many highlights of the trip.

What did you not expect?

I was surprised at how much Italians value mealtime and family time. Mealtime in Italy is an experience, not something rushed, even during the workweek. Food is very important to their culture, and they focus on using in-season ingredients while keeping overall ingredient counts low to develop strong flavors. Lunch is a longer break from work, and they take time to enjoy their food and the company of the people they are eating with. In the U.S., many meals are rushed or eaten in the car because everyone has busy schedules, but Italians make time for meals and family, and I would like to do better personally at slowing down at mealtimes.

What advice would you give?

My advice is to keep an open mind going into the process and a "why not" mentality. The idea of studying abroad was outside my comfort zone, but it turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Take the time to read about some of the programs Iowa State offers, as there are numerous to choose from. It is important to consider where you want to go and which trips are most relevant to your major. These opportunities can turn into experiences that will help you grow personally and professionally while also having a lot of fun.

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience has impacted several aspects of my life. As a dietetic student, it is easy for me to look at food and immediately think about its nutritional information and how it will affect my health. After being in Italy and experiencing Italian culture, I realized how important food and mealtimes are for social connection and community, and that people eat for the experience rather than always being concerned with a meal's nutrition facts. Take-out food is also much less common in Italy, as they prioritize their mealtimes and are less likely to eat in the car or rush their meal, making me think twice before going through a drive-thru again. My career goal is to become a registered dietitian, and after this experience, I think it will be important to emphasize the experience of eating, whether with friends or family, as that truly matters. Many Italians also take time out of their day to sit down and eat a quality meal, which is something I want to focus on in my personal life. As a busy college student, I often rush my meals, but taking a short break to sit down and eat can make a difference. Additionally, Italians take pride in using seasonal ingredients and few ingredients, which is something I want to incorporate more of in my personal life and cooking.

How did you learn about this experience?

When I first came to Iowa State, I had little to no interest in studying abroad because I did not want to be away for a full semester. After attending Iowa State, I quickly learned about many opportunities to study abroad for shorter periods, which appealed to me. The idea of traveling abroad to experience another culture while also learning about my major seemed like the perfect opportunity. I then started paying closer attention to announcements about study abroad programs through emails and posters around campus. My academic advisor sent an email with information about this Italy study abroad program. It sparked my interest, leading me to attend the CHHS study abroad fair, where I learned more about the program and decided to apply. I had heard nothing but great things about this trip, and it did not disappoint.

International Connections