Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Second-Term Freshman & Above
Location: Europe, Italy
GPA: 2.5

Food, Culture, and Sustainability in Siena

Program Overview

Experience Italian food and culture in the context of beautiful Siena in the heart of Tuscany. Italian cuisine has influenced food culture around the world and is viewed as a form of art by many. Participating in this program will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of complex food-related issues and develop new insights into the ways in which food mediates social, political, cultural, environmental, and economic processes.

The Food Studies programs will also include opportunities for classroom, field-based, and service learning. You will learn firsthand from everyday people, including farmers, family cooks, and professional chefs, as well as creative entrepreneurs who are building internationally recognized sustainable food businesses that preserve and celebrate regional heritage.

There are three program options throughout the academic year, with slightly different course availability (see Academic Details below). The Food, Culture, and Sustainability in Siena program runs alongside the Italian Language and Culture in Siena and the Politics in Italy programs. Along with the required food courses, you will be able to choose an elective from the courses offered in the other programs. All courses are taught in English, and there is no language requirement. All majors are welcome to participate.

Past Siena program excursions have included visits to Pienza, Montalcino, Spannocchia, Pisa, Venice, Bologna, Brolio Castle, Volterra, San Gimignano, and Tuscan wineries. The specific combination of day and overnight trips varies by program and term, ensuring each excursion complements your academic focus while broadening your Italian experience beyond Siena.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall Quarter 2026 06/01/2026 09/24/2026 12/05/2026
Winter Quarter 2027 10/15/2026 01/07/2027 03/20/2027
Spring Quarter 2027 12/15/2026 03/25/2027 06/05/2027

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport will be traveling to Italy under the Schengen Visa waiver program and do not require a travel visa for this program, and GEO is unable to assist U.S. citizens in obtaining a visa. If you are not a U.S. Citizen: Notify your GEO Advisor. Students who are not U.S. citizens should contact the Italian consulate in their country of residence about visa requirements, no matter the duration of the program of study.

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO 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.

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Hear from Our Students

The Best of Italian Culture in Siena

Cohort of students smiling for a photo in Siena
My time studying in Siena, Italy, was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. Living abroad allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture and learn so much about the Italian way of life. I… read more

Traditional Dishes in Siena

GEO students smiling for a photo on the steps of a church in Siena, Italy at night
From January to March, I got to study abroad in Siena, Italy through the Global Education Oregon Program at UO. The program was centered around food, science, and sustainability--during my time there… read more

Eating Good Food and Exploring an Italian Summer

girl in sienna
Image My study abroad experience thus far has been so illuminating, both personally and culturally. I've been able to become part of the community… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

This program will explore questions around the social justice of food equity in relationship to food production, as well as topics relating to food science and sustainability. Classes vary based on the term. All students will enroll in 4 - 5 courses for a total of 15 - 21 quarter credits.

Fall 2026 Required Courses:

Winter 2027 Required Courses:

Spring 2027 Required Courses:

For University of Oregon Environmental Studies and Food Studies students, courses fulfil the following requirements: 

course titleequivalencyrequirement it covers
Food, Science, and SustainabilityENVS: Food, Science, and Sustainability, 300-level, 5 credits

ENVS: Area 3B Social Science Elective

FS: Elective and Capstone Seminar course

Food and Culture in ItalyANTH: Food and Culture in Italy, 300-level, 4 credits

Core Ed: Social Science

FS: Elective and Capstone Seminar course

Food Systems: Agri-Environmental Economics, Policy, and Sustainability

EC: Food Systems, 300-level, 5 credits

PPPM: Food Systems, 300-level, 5 credits

Core Ed: N/A

GLBL: Block C Elective

FS: Elective

Wine in Italy and the Western WorldHST: Wine in Italy & The Western World, 300-level, 4 credits

Core Ed: Social Science

FS: Elective and Capstone Seminar course

All courses offered in Siena are recognized and approved for academic credit by various UO departments and GEO partner institutions. Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Courses are taught by Italian faculty who have experience teaching US students, including supplementary language tutoring offered by the site director. In addition, visiting US faculty may teach up to two courses. You will attend classes with other US students, and as part of the Cross-Cultural Communications/Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, you will meet with Italian students from the Università di Siena at the Language Lab.

Optional Service-Learning Placement 

The service learning experiences are not offered for credit, but are an optional extracurricular activity of the Cross-Cultural Communications/Cross-Cultural Perspectives course.

An optional service learning placement is an exciting opportunity for students studying in Siena to become more immersed into Italian culture and give back to the local community. As part of the Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, you will design a project in partnership with your organization host, conducting a needs and skills assessment. Over the course of the term, you will continue to develop your project while reflecting on your involvement and the cross-cultural context in which you are participating. At the conclusion of the program, you will present a portfolio of reflection papers, resumé, and project analysis. 

If you opt for the service learning placement, you will be making both a personal and a professional commitment. A service learning placement requires flexibility and commitment to the schedule and entailed responsibilities. Because of the time commitment required, you may sometimes have to forgo a program activity or excursion in order to fulfill your responsibilities to the organization. Placements vary by term. In the past students have volunteered at local pre-school and elementary schools, retirement homes, ceramic arts programs for community members with disabilities, and rescue and social services.

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.

Faculty and Staff

Courses are taught by local faculty with expertise in each area. Our faculty are a mix of native Italians and American expatriats. 

Housing Description

Experience life as part of an authentic Italian neighborhood, living within the medieval city walls of Siena. Residences are spread out within the city center. All are within easy walking distance (~15 min) of the GEO Center, and you will have small local grocers, restaurants, and cafés nearby. 

You have two housing options, each with its own perks. You will be able to provide your preference, though we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate everyone in their first choice. 

Apartments: Apartments are fully furnished with beds, desks and a kitchen table and chairs. No two apartments are the same. Generally, there are 2-3 rooms per apartment, and you can expect to share a bedroom with one or two other GEO students. The kitchens are equipped with utensils, plates, glasses, cookware, an electronic oven and a gas stove. You will also receive two sets of linens and each apartment has access to a washing machine and drying rack (dryers are very uncommon in Italy). 

Student Residence: You can live in a residence with other international and Italian students, fully immersing yourself into the community. The student residence has single and double rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms and some with shared bathrooms (no more than 3 people/bathroom). Each room has a TV, fridge/freezer, safe, desks, nightstand, and sink. Kitchen and living areas are share with your floor (~8 people/kitchen, students often enjoy cooking together or share meals with each other). Linens and towels are provided, and your rooms are cleaned weekly.

Budget and Price

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Food, Culture, and Sustainability in Siena

2026 Fall Quarter

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Study Abroad Fee $500
Program Tuition $11,801
Housing $2,375
Local Transportation $23
Insurance $301
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated airfare from Eugene $1,500
Estimated additional meals $1,800
Estimated cellphone expenses $100
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated additional living expenses $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Total estimated cost of attendance $20,350
Sub-Total: GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $15,000
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $5,350

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition; Excursions; Housing; Local Transportation; Some meals (welcome and farewell dinners, a few lunches on excursions); Course materials; Medical insurance; On-site orientation; Pre-departure and on-site support.

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
Cancelling 8 weeks - 1 day before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Cancelling on or after program start date

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

2026 Winter Quarter

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Study Abroad Fee $500
Program Tuition $10,915
Housing $2,331
Local Transportation $39
Insurance $215
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated airfare from Eugene $1,200
Estimated additional meals $1,700
Estimated cellphone expenses $100
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated additional living expenses $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Total estimated cost of attendance $18,950
Sub-Total: GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $14,000
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $4,950

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition; Excursions; Housing; Local Transportation; Some meals (welcome and farewell dinners, a few lunches on excursions); Course materials; Medical insurance; On-site orientation; Pre-departure and on-site support.

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
Cancelling 8 weeks - 1 day before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Cancelling on or after program start date

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

2026 Spring Quarter

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Study Abroad Fee $500
Program Tuition $10,915
Housing $2,331
Local Transportation $39
Insurance $215
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated airfare from Eugene $1,200
Estimated additional meals $1,700
Estimated cellphone expenses $100
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated additional living expenses $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Total estimated cost of attendance $18,950
Sub-Total: GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $14,000
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $4,950

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition; Excursions; Housing; Local Transportation; Some meals (welcome and farewell dinners, a few lunches on excursions); Course materials; Medical insurance; On-site orientation; Pre-departure and on-site support.

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
Cancelling 8 weeks - 1 day before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Cancelling on or after program start date

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

To view the program specific cancellation policy dates and penalties, click the term budget dropdown menu.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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