SYRACUSE, SICILY
FIELD EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL NUTRITION
This program offers a unique opportunity to learn about nutrition, food, health and culture in Italy. Two courses will be taken: one in nutrition and a second in Italian language or culture. Dr. Jeanne Freeland Graves, the Bess Heflin Centennial Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at UT Austin, will teach the Field Experience in Nutrition course and serve as onsite program leader. She is an international expert in nutrition, obesity, trace elements and foods.
The program will emphasize nutrition, health and food in Italy by a variety of field experiences and guest lecturers from Italy. NTR 352 is open to all majors at the university with a NTR 306, 311 or 312 prerequisite. It fulfills the study abroad requirement for the new International Nutrition degree in the College of Natural Sciences and will substitute for NTR 355 in the Didactic Nutrition degree program.
Tentative topics with activities and trips include diet, lifestyle, and culture of the Mediterranean, dietary guidelines, obesity, nutrition through the life cycle (pregnancy to aging), clinical nutrition and food services in hospitals, public health and community nutrition in low socio-economic areas, sports nutrition, and the food industry.
Student housing is arranged by the program housing coordinator. The program includes excursions to historic cities and sites of Western Sicily (tentatively - Seqesta, Erice, Castellmare del Golfo, Mozia, Scopello, Agrigento). Students and UT staff will be supported onsite by study abroad professionals who coordinate program activities and assist students daily, both during and after office hours in the case of an emergency.