Welcome Food students! The Food Studies Program at the Umbra Institute is a new curricular concentration that applies an interdisciplinary approach to the study of food – history, sociology, cultural studies, business practices, literature, politics, science, agriculture, and sustainability – to discover how the individual, the community, and society relate to food in Italy, America, and elsewhere. The program consists of three courses in food studies, a course in Italian language, and an optional elective (15-18 credits).
Academics. BU students take Professor Jones’ course, Italian, and either one or two other courses in disciplines like Business, Film Studies, PoliSci, or Food Studies. Courses are in English (no Italian language proficiency is required) and meet twice a week, with no classes on Friday. While the courses are engaging, students also had ample time on the weekend to travel elsewhere in Europe. Are you ready to experience Perugia for yourself?
ANFS 381 The Anthropology of Food in Italy
Student Life. The Umbra Institute hosts between 100 and 150 American and Italian college students each semester from colleges & universities across the U.S. and in Perugia. Housing is provided for all students in shared apartments within a 5-minute walk of the Institute. There is no meal plan, but apartments are furnished with full kitchens. They also have WiFi access and wireless internet is provided for free at the Umbra Institute and in many locations around Perugia.
Want to know how to apply? The Umbra Institute is an affordable option for BU students. To learn more about the fees for studying abroad, fill out this form for more information, with no obligation. It will go directly to Professor Jones.
Pictures from the Food Studies Program
Food Studies Program Overview
Explore Perugia
You can also read about Perugia in the New York Times and in Lonely Planet; the city also has its very own guide to Perugia for international students.