Study Abroad
Jump to: Italy | Greece | Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy
MAYMESTER PROGRAM
Italy: Viticulture and Enology in the Mediterranean Region
Overview
This 4-credit Maymester program is based at UGA’s campus in Cortona, Italy, nestled in the Tuscany region overlooking the renowned Val di Chiana. Surrounded by lush vineyards, olive groves, and historic landscapes among rich valley farmland, students explore the science, culture and production of wine through lectures, labs, and immersive field experiences.
- Location
- Cortona, Italy
- Term
- Maymester
- Credits
- 4
- Contact
-
Phillip Brannen
pbrannen@uga.edu
What You’ll Learn
- Identify wine types and key characteristics of red and white wines
- Analyze varietals through sensory evaluation
- Understand grape biology, varieties, cultivation, and pest management
- Explore the microbiological and chemical processes of winemaking
- Examine how production decisions shape flavor and quality
- Learn how to pair food and wine
- Study the health implications of wine consumption
Experiential Learning
Vineyard and winery tours
See wine production firsthand across the region.
Hands-on labs
Participate in sensory and horticulture lab experiences.
MAYMESTER PROGRAM
Greece: Greek Food, Diet, and Wellness
Overview
Through the Maymester Food Industries in Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy study abroad program, students take an immersive tour of European food systems, culture, and history across Central Europe. Through lectures, guided tours, and experiential learning, students examine how traditional food commodities, including meat products, brewing and distilling, bakery items, dairy, wine, and specialty foods are transformed into finished products that reflect regional identity and culinary traditions. Traveling through Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Kulmbach, Nuremberg, Munich, Bolzano, Parma, Modena, and Florence, students will not only explore food industries but also visit places such as Sanssouci and Neuschwanstein and historical landmarks such as the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg and the Dachau Concentration Camp. This immersive approach throughout Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy, with their diverse cultural as well as industrial landscapes, helps students appreciate the global diversity of agricultural and industrial practices, reflect upon those for commodities of interest in Georgia, and make the best of this opportunity to develop many of the academic, personal, and social skills that come with adapting to a new environment.
- Location
- Greece
- Term
- Maymester
- Credits
- 4
- Contacts
-
Laurel Dunn
laurel.dunn@uga.eduFaith Critzer
fcritzer@uga.edu
What You’ll Learn
- Fundamentals of food science, including microbiology, chemistry, and sensory analysis
- Production processes for key Greek commodities, including dairy, olive oil, honey, wine, tea, pistachios, and spirits
- The role of diet and lifestyle in health and longevity, including “blue zones”
Experiential Learning
Food production tours
Go behind the scenes at Greek food production facilities.
Hands-on cooking
Prepare and experience traditional Greek cuisine.
Cultural immersion
Experience Greek dance and movement and hike around Mount Olympus.
MAYMESTER PROGRAM
Guten Appetit: Food Industries in Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy.
Overview
Through the Maymester Food Industries in Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy study abroad program, students take an immersive tour of European food systems, culture, and history across Central Europe. Through lectures, guided tours, and experiential learning, students examine how traditional food commodities, including meat products, brewing and distilling, bakery items, dairy, wine, and specialty foods are transformed into finished products that reflect regional identity and culinary traditions. Traveling through Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Kulmbach, Nuremberg, Munich, Bolzano, Parma, Modena, and Florence, students will not only explore food industries but also visit places such as Sanssouci and Neuschwanstein and historical landmarks such as the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg and the Dachau Concentration Camp. This immersive approach throughout Germany, Czech Republic, and Italy, with their diverse cultural as well as industrial landscapes, helps students appreciate the global diversity of agricultural and industrial practices, reflect upon those for commodities of interest in Georgia, and make the best of this opportunity to develop many of the academic, personal, and social skills that come with adapting to a new environment.
- Locations
- Bavaria, Germany & Bolzano, Italy
- Term
- Maymester
- Credits
- 6
- Contact
-
Ronald Pegg
rpegg@uga.edu
What You’ll Learn
- Processing techniques across diverse food industries
- Comparative agricultural and food production systems and practices
- The relationship between food production, traditions, and culture
Experiential Learning
Industry visits
Tour meat processing facilities, breweries, wineries, bakeries, and dairy operations.
Global food systems
Participate in cross-cultural engagement and reflect on global food systems.
Sensory evaluations
Evaluate traditional and regional products such as sausage, beer, and wine.