Greek Food and Culture

Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Europe, Greece
GPA: 2.5
Program Overview

Sustainable Goal: Responsible Consumption and Production

This program is fully enrolled for summer 2024.

Through structured engagements with influential texts in food studies and Greek food, culture and history and guided encounters in key food-related locations (ancient and contemporary) across the country participants will gain important insights into Greek cuisine in the three different and complementary regional contexts. The program focuses on experiential learning in the historically rich and dynamically modern city of Athens and on the nearby Cycladic Island of Kea, the productive fields and vineyards of the charming Peloponnese region, and in Crete, the sun-drenched epicenter of the UNESCO World Heritage recognized Mediterranean diet. These areas of Greece are all famous for their strong food-based identities, their beautiful landscapes, and their high-quality foods and wines.

In this program, participants will learn from trusted and accomplished scholars as well as local intellectuals, food producers, and purveyors: professors, writers, small and large-scale farmers and vintners, family cooks and professional chefs, and creative entrepreneurs who are building internationally recognized sustainable food businesses that preserve and celebrate Greece’s food culture. While much will be learned about the Greek experience with food and culture, students will also come away with key food studies concepts that are applicable in any world context.

The program is taught in English; there is no language requirement and the program is open to all majors. It is particularly suitable for students in food studies, business, environmental studies, sociology, international studies, geography, humanities, and anthropology.

Program ScholarshipApplicants to this program have the option to apply for a program-specific scholarship. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500 - $2,500. To be considered, the Scholarship Essay must be completed by February 15th. Please refer to the Scholarship Essay instructions in the program application or speak with your GEO advisor for more details.

Dates and Deadlines
 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2024 3/15/2024 6/20/2024 7/11/2024

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $400 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will enroll in the Food and Culture in Greece course to be taught by Dr. Stephen Wooten with additional class lectures provided by local experts in classical history and traditional Greek foods and foodways. This course is recognized and approved for academic credit by various GEO partner institutions. Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information. 

This program qualifies as the capstone requirement for the University of Oregon Food Studies minor. See the program advisor for more information.

The academic content of the program will provide students with a solid grounding in the key concepts and theories of food studies, allowing them to adopt a “food studies” perspective and utilize the food and culture framework. A significant part of this program is spent visiting different parts of Greece to experience the cultural and culinary diversity of the country, with local experts providing their perspective on their regional cuisine and identity. Some meals are provided by the program to expose students to the diversity of food and food culture in the country.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Application process

This program has a rolling admission application processGEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement. Some programs require a letter of recommendation from a faculty that is not the program's faculty leader. If a letter of recommendation is required, you will find more information in your GEO application portal.

Faculty and Staff

Dr. Stephen Wooten is a faculty member in International Studies and Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon. His teaching and research interests focus on food and culture worldwide with a specialty in African dynamics. His teaching efforts have garnered him strong student and peer evaluations, and he has received prestigious awards in support of his ongoing research activities including two Fulbright grants. He has published his work in leading peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes and has two books in print as well. He has served as an effective administrator in his roles as Director of African Studies, Associate Vice Provost for International Studies, and Director of Study Abroad. He currently serves as Director of the Food Studies Program.

Housing Description

As the program is constantly on the move, students will be sharing hotel accommodations with other students from the program.

Given the close-knit travel nature, it's important to approach this journey with an "expedition mentality"—prioritizing decisions that benefit the group as a whole over individual preferences.

Meals: Note that all breakfasts are included in the program fee and some group meals, but students will still be responsible for all additional meals and additional bottled water. See the student budget for more details.