Alba, Italy - Food Studies Majors | NorthWest Arkansas Community College
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Study Abroad

Alba, Italy - Food Studies Majors

Students in Italy

This 18 day study abroad program invites Brightwater Food Studies students and community culinary professionals into the Italian kitchen, interpreted by chefs, farmers, and experts from the Langhe, UNESCO protected territory.

The core of the program focuses on the local traditions and biodiversity of Italian dishes, typical recipes of Piedmont, Piedmontese veal, cooking methods, and local techniques. The students will spend twenty hours in the culinary lab focused on technique and methods, and forty hours with didactic visits. The heart of the course consists of experiencing the cuisine of the region through fieldwork visits to local producers and experts.

Culinary Students will take World Cuisines or Practicum Hours and industry professionals will enroll in a Global Experience one credit workforce professional development course.

Application
View eligibility requirements before applying. 

Make a Payment



Additional Information

View the information below to learn more about studying in and exploring Italy. 

May 23- June 9 (includes travel dates) 

Students enroll in World Cuisines FDST 2003 (Summer 2025) with permission of the instructor. 

Projected Itinerary:

TRAVEL DATES: May 23 – June 9, 2025 

 Day 1 - Departure – Friday, May 23                                                    

Depart from XNA 

  

Day 2 – Alba – Saturday, May 24 

 Arrive in Milan and transfer to Alba 

 

Check-in, Relax Alba walking tour, grocery store, and welcome dinner. Saturday market tour depending on flight times. 

 

Day 3 - Sunday, May 25 

Free day to explore and prepare for tomorrow’s class 

  

Day 4 - Monday May 26  

AAA tour and class, lunch included 

  

Day 5 – Tuesday, May 27 

Didactic Visit to Hazelnut Farm and Ferrero Rochero and Nutella experience; Experience firsthand the cultivation and production of local Piedmontese hazelnuts. 

 

Day 6 – Wednesday, May 28 

 May 28 AAA Class and lab, lunch included 

 

Day 7 – Thursday, May 29 

White Truffle Hunt and Sensory Analysis Lab; Participate in a black truffle summer hunt with a local Trifulua. Learn about biodiversity and seasonality surrounding this uncultivatable treasure. 

 

Day 8  - Friday, May 30 

Free Day to Explore 

 

Day 9 – Saturday, May 31 

Free Day to Explore 

 

Day 10 – Sunday, June 1 

Free Day to Explore 

  

Day 11 – Monday, June 2 

AAA Class and lab, lunch included  

  

Day 12 – Tuesday, June 3 

Train to Bra, visit the University of Gastronomy, lecture on Slow Food Movement History, and lunch in Bra at a Slow Food establishment. 

 

Day 13 – Wednesday, June 4 

AAA Class and lab, lunch included afternoon snail producer visit. 

 

Day 14 – Thursday, June 5 

Piedmontese Fassona, Carru and Barolo DOCG winery tour. Bus to Carru to learn the story of the famous local cattle breed Fassona and how it represents Piedmontese cuisine today 

 

Day 15 – Friday, June 6 

Butter and Cheese Day! Visit 100% Italian milk butter producer, Engage your senses in butter produced with sweet cream from 100% Italian skimmed milk. 100% Raw Goat Milk Robiola Discover the whole supply chain and passion of a local goat farmer and his Robiola cheese production from Cherasco. 

 

Group Dinner with Apple Seeds Teaching Farm group who will be in town with Dr. Gallo--- paid for by donors. This is an opportunity for this group of philanthropists to learn more about NWACC study abroad. 

 

Day 16 – Saturday, June 7 

Saturday Market tour and free afternoon 

 

Day 17 – Sunday, June 8 

check out and transfer to Milan, check into hotel. 

Lunch/afternoon Milan walking food tour and evening farewell to Italy group dinner 

 

Day 18 – Monday, June 9 

depart for home 

 

Program Fees:

  • Price is $6,259.61  

The price includes: 

  • Round trip airfare 
  • Lodging on site 
  • Admission to sites and attractions that are part of the program's curriculum 
  • In-country transportation 
  • Travel health and extraction insurance 
  • Meals according to the schedule

What Fees Do Not Include:

  • New passport application fees (if applicable) 
  • NWACC Course Tuition and fees 
  • Meals not included in schedule 
  • Optional excursions 
  • Immediate medical expenses 

Pay Fees:

  • Program Deposit Deadline: Dec. 1st
  • Program Paid to 50% by Jan. 6
  • Full Program Fee Deadline: Feb. 28th  

Use NWACC's portal to make a payment.  

As a participant, you may pay a reduced rate if you are receiving financial aid, grants, and/or scholarships in benefit your study abroad program. Please email StudyAbroad@nwacc.edu with evidence of awards prior to the program fee deadline to confirm exact payment amount. 

Learn how to finance your trip.

NWACC makes studying abroad accessible to students through financial aid, scholarships, payment plans and other options. Learn more about various financial options and accessing the payment portal.

Dante Alighieri School  has been proudly teaching Italian language and culture for 40 years. Since 1990, the school has also been providing high-quality study abroad programs in Italy. 

At Dante Alighieri School all language, culture, cooking courses are taught in a dynamic way: the atmosphere is personal, tailored to each student’s learning needs and goals. 

The Institute is located in the medieval city center of Siena, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Siena will welcome you with the words “Cor magis tibi Sena pandit”  (Siena welcomes you with a heart wider than its gate). The school strongly believes in this attitude and will make you feel at home soon! 

Vince Pianalto
Brightwater Chef Instructor & Coordinator
vpianalto@nwacc.edu
479-631-8604

Victor Chalfant
Professor Graphic Design
victor@nwacc.edu
479-619-4288 

 

 

Non-NWACC Students & Community Members

If you are a student from another college or a community member, you are invited to apply to study abroad in Italy too! 

Follow these simple steps: