Want to study food in Sicily in May? Be sure to attend an upcoming information session

Students interested in the Food in Sicily study away program, scheduled for May 6 through May 26, 2022, are invited to attend an upcoming information session on Microsoft Teams.

"Like ice cream, cheesecake, and chocolate? What about marzipan, cannoli, and sumptuous pasta? Then, come experience the cultural and historic food ways of Sicily, the Mediterranean's largest island. We'll travel Sicily's eastern 'Greek' coast to see and taste this unique island's rich history of food traditions. You may even meet the Chef's Table star while visiting Caffè Sicilia in Noto, Sicily," said Food in Sicily Director David Bell, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

"Students interested in the Food in Sicily study away program are invited to join us at any one of our Info Sessions," Bell said.

Interested students are invited to join the sessions via Teams at https://bit.ly/FoodinSicily at the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.

Food in Sicily is a faculty-led program for Ohio University credit. In OHIO credit programs, students earn OHIO credit, travel with an OHIO faculty or staff member, and travel and take courses with other OHIO students. A student's full financial aid package applies the same as it would for on-campus courses.

Food in Sicily is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and students can earn six credit hours learning about the "Italian for Table and Market," meeting with local social enterprises, helping with dinner at a local soup kitchen, taking cooking classes, and visiting farms, breweries and wineries. (For additional information see the article on Singing, Dancing and Churning the Cheese in Sicily during the 2019 trip."

Visits to markets and sites in Ortigia, Italy, include the Catacombs of San Giovanni, the medieval Jewish quarter and Castello Maniace. Day trips are planned to Catania, Italy, where students will visit the fish market, historic city center, Benedictine Monastery, Greek Theater and the Cathedral. Students will also hike on Mt. Etna and enjoy time on Sicilian beaches as well as tour the historical towns of Noto and Taormina.

For more information, visit the Food in Sicily webpage or contact Bell at belld@ohio.edu. This video also provides additional information on the program.

How to plan for travel: Talk to OGO advisers

Students traveling internationally must seek approval through the Study Away Risk Assessment Committee process managed by the Office of Global Opportunities (OGO). This includes student international travel for all independent, university-affiliated experiences such as internships, research, exchange, volunteer, clinicals, work, trainings, and conferences. It is recommended that travelers submit their travel requests no later than three months prior to travel.

"Students interested in studying abroad should chat with an OGO advisor about their options and timelines. There are different procedures and considerations based on the type of program a student pursues. Our team of peer advisors can walk through those considerations and help make a plan for next steps," Keely Davin, associate director of the Office of Global Opportunities. 

OGO offers individual advising sessions to discuss goals, interests and program-planning. Appointments can be scheduled via bookings. For questions about booking with a specific advisor, contact global.opportunities@ohio.edu.