PROGRAM OVERVIEW: French Culture, Food & Health (SA 10223/NUTR 39800). This program provides students the opportunity to earn academic credit while exploring the rich culinary, cultural and health characteristics of France. Scientists have been baffled about the French Paradox: the observation that the French eat such rich food and yet their rates of heart disease are less than that of Americans. The course highlights the scientific and social issues surrounding this contradiction while simultaneously immersing students in the culture of French food and eating patterns. Students enjoy the peaceful surroundings and people of a French town between cooking lessons from French chefs and daily excursions to local farmers’ markets, a vineyard, an oil press, a chocolate maker, various restaurants and more.
STUDENTS: Any student in any major* in good academic standing is eligible for this course. There are no pre-requisites, nor language or skill requirements. Past students have been from at least 24 different majors. Maximum enrollment is approximately 15 students, which is limited by the capacity of our accommodations. Students who participate enjoy getting to know their fellow students in a small, relaxed setting. *French majors may participate, but should be aware that this course does not meet the French department’s requirements for language immersion.
TRAVEL OVERSEAS: May 23-31, 2020. We will stay 6 nights in a villa in the town of Riorges, and take day trips to nearby cities/attractions. The last day/night will be in Lyon, considered the gastronomy center of France (http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/lyon-outshines-paris/index.html)
ACADEMIC DETAILS: Students earn 2 credits for a letter grade. You will spend 6 hours in class, spread across 4 (mandatory) class meetings in Feb, March and April, all at 5:30 – 7:00pm. During this time, we learn about various factors related to French food, culture and health, how they compare to American food, culture and health, prepare you for your experience abroad.
COST: The program fee has not been established yet. The fee will include all meals (except 2), housing and transportation within France for the week. The fee is billed by the University after your register for SA 10223, and that won’t be until March at the earliest. Other expenses you should factor in are the cost of a passport and airfare. A $500 deposit that will go towards the full payment fee is due preferably by the end of the fall semester, but definitely before our first class meeting on February. This deposit is what’s used to reserve your spot in the program; until it’s paid, your spot is tentative.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Check http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/studyabroad/scholarships.html for HHS scholarships and https://www.studyabroad.purdue.edu/programs/aid/ for scholarships listed by the Study Abroad office
PRIMARY FOUNDATIONAL LEARNING OUTCOME: This course meets the requirement for the Science, Technology & Society (STS) learning outcome.
HOW TO MOVE FORWARD:
(1) Email RachelClark@purdue.edu and pkarger@purdue.edu to express your interest and get added to the email list.
(2) Watch the Study Abroad page for when our program is added, and APPLY! (go to the main page www.studyabroad.purdue.edu and search for SA 10223 French Culture, Food & Health)