Running for the third time in a row this January, the Culinary Study Abroad Program in Italy, France, and Spain was once again an unforgettable journey filled with rich flavors, cultural discoveries, and hands-on experiences. Throughout the program, participants had the chance to immerse themselves in the culinary traditions of three of the world’s most renowned food destinations.

Starting in Rome, sightseeing at iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, followed by a cooking class, the group then traveled to Florence, where they explored Roman history while alternating between regional food experiences and visiting an organic olive oil mill. In Genova, the students had the opportunity to participate in a pesto workshop (pictured in the photos above). They learned to make pesto using the traditional recipe and methods and could take it home with them.

The journey continued into France, where the group visited a lemon orchard close to Nice and hiked in the breathtaking Calanques region near Marseille. While discovering Montpellier through a food tour, Professor Dr. Heidi Stolz connected the content learned in Knoxville beforehand and the on-site experiences in Europe during her class sessions throughout the program.

The final stop of the study abroad program was in Barcelona, where the group could review their journey through the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Sagrada Familia. They wrapped up their adventure with a Flamenco Dinner Show on their last evening, celebrating the end of an unforgettable experience.

We are happy about the positive feedback from students and coordinators and look forward to successfully continuing this program with Dr. Stolz in the coming years!