Experiences University Students Related When Studying Abroad and Acculturating into a New Foodscape

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v37i2.921

Keywords:

Dietary acculturation, food environment, foodscape, student acculturation, study abroad

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify experiences gained from acculturating into the Italian food culture by American university students studying abroad in Italy. The Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) guided focus group discussions with students during the fall of 2022. A total of five groups with 29 students participated. The primary influence on acculturation experiences was intrapersonal as reported in beliefs and knowledge towards events happening in restaurants and grocery stores. Interpersonal interactions with course instructors, study abroad facilitators, and family were highly relied on in seeking food culture information. The need for information on reading food label ingredients and identifying allergens was reported and represents SEM Public Policy level. Universities and study abroad host institutions can provide pre-departure orientation and courses to ease and assist students in acculturating into new food cultures thereby enriching their experiences.

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Author Biographies

Laurel Lambert, University of Mississippi

Dr. Laurel Lambert, a Professor at the University of Mississippi, is a dietary acculturation expert with a teaching background in culinary sciences. A registered dietitian nutritionist and food systems management specialist, she centers her research on child nutrition programs and policies. Dr. Lambert has also been notably teaching study abroad courses in Italy since 2013 and collaborates with Italian researchers for gastronomic studies, providing her unique insights into Italian food culture.

Kritika Gupta, The University of Mississippi

Dr. Kritika Gupta is a Senior Program Analyst at Ripple Effect and an Adjunct Instructor in nutrition at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Gupta has a background in nutrition research, program evaluation, and qualitative data analysis. With notable achievements, including being a TEDx speaker, she has served the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior as a member of the Advisory Committee for Public Policy and a representative to the Board of Directors.

Somya Gupta, The University of Mississippi

Somya Gupta is a Ph.D. student and research assistant of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi. Her research interest includes school & sustainable gardening, policy making, community and child nutrition. She serves as Chair Elect for Student Division of Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. She has worked as clinical nutritionist at Fortis Hospital. Before that, she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Panjab University in Foods and Nutrition.

Zachary Nowak, The Umbra Institute

Zachary Nowak is the director of The Umbra Institute and a lecturer for the Harvard University Extension School. He is a historical geographer with an interest in how place and taste go together (or do not). He has written about the history of pizzerias in Naples, Chianti in California, unsalted bread in Perugia, polenta in Italy, terroir nowhere, and truffles all over the world.

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Published

2025-04-17

How to Cite

Lambert, L., Gupta, K., Gupta, S., & Nowak, Z. (2025). Experiences University Students Related When Studying Abroad and Acculturating into a New Foodscape. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 37(2), 188–212. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v37i2.921

Issue

Vol. 37 No. 2 (2025): April 2025

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Laurel Lambert, Dr. Gupta, Ms. Gupta, Dr. Nowak

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.