Food Systems and Public Health in Italy
with PCC & API in Summer 2025
Explore food and health in Italy!

Program Details
Where: Rome and Tuscania, Italy
When: Summer 2025
Arrive in Rome: July 2nd, 2025
Depart Rome: July 15th, 2025
Faculty Leader: Alissa Leavitt
Academic Credit: HE 264: Food Systems and Public Health (4 credits) [see details]
Info Session: TBA
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025

Itinerary Highlights
This study abroad program in Italy combines cultural exploration and academic insights, focusing on food systems, sustainability, and public health across Tuscania and Rome.
Program Highlights May Include:
- City Explorations: Discover the historic charm and cultural significance of Rome and Tuscania through guided tours, enhancing understanding of Italy’s rural and urban landscapes.
- Tours and Tastings: Enjoy tastings and farm visits featuring local Italian products like olive oil, lavender, and raw milk pecorino cheese, each reflecting traditional agricultural practices.
- Interactive Culinary Workshops: Participate in hands-on cooking classes, including fresh pasta-making and a gelato-making tutorial, to experience Italy’s culinary heritage.
- Sustainable Agriculture Insights: Visit agricultural sites like Agriturismo Sensi and Caponetti Farm, where sustainable farming methods preserve Italy’s rich agricultural heritage and biodiversity.
- Lectures and Expert Insights: Attend talks from local experts in public health and organic agriculture that connect themes of diet, movement, and environmental sustainability.

Program Itinerary
Please note that the cultural activities and excursions listed in this itinerary are subject to change depending on availability, weather, and other factors.
Wednesday, 07/02/25
Arrival Day
Morning:
- Arrival into Rome
- API organized airport reception and transfer to Tuscania
- Cultural, health, and safety orientation
Afternoon:
- Neighborhood walking tour
Evening:
- Group welcome dinner
- Overnight in Tuscania
Thursday, 07/03/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Walk to Agriturismo Sensi
Afternoon:
- Visit and group lunch at Agriturismo Sensi
- Visit to the lavender field
- Lecture by Angelo Murri: Agronomist, Olive grower and
professor of Organic Agriculture - Gelato making Tutorial at La Cremeria del Parco
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Friday, 07/04/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Travel by private bus to Agriturismo Caponetti
- Lecture by Marco Corsi: Surgical Doctor, has international experience in drug development, including for metabolic diseases.
Afternoon:
- Visit to Agriturismo Caponetti
- Cappuccino making at Caffè del Duomo
- Free time
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Saturday, 07/05/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Visit, tasting and cheese production demonstration at cheese farm Marras
Afternoon:
- Group Lunch
- Optional trekking to San Pietro Abbey
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Sunday, 07/06/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accomodations
- Travel by private bus to the archaeological area of Ferento
Afternoon:
- Visit and group lunch at Agriturismo il Casaletto
- Visit to Civita di Bagnoregio
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Monday, 07/07/25
DAY TRIP: VITERBO
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Day trip by public transportation to Viterbo
Afternoon:
- Free time for lunch and to explore before returning back to Tuscania
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Tuesday, 07/08/25
DAY TRIP: ORBETELLO
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Transfer by private bus for a day trip to Orbetello
Afternoon:
- Visit to the Fishermen of Orbetello
- Group lunch with the fishermen
- Bike tour of the lagoon and Feniglia State Nature Reserve
- Return back to Tuscania
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Wednesday, 07/09/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accomodations
- Travel by private bus to Orte
Afternoon:
- Wine tasting and light lunch at Le Lase Winery
- Visit to the Thermal bath
- Return to Tuscania
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Thursday, 07/10/25
DAY TRIP: MARTA
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Travel by private bus to Bolsena Lake
Afternoon:
- Visit to the Marta fishing Village
- Group lunch
- Boat tour of the lake
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Friday, 07/11/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Additional visits in Tuscania exploring slow food movement, Mediterranean diet, and community engagement
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Free time
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Saturday, 07/12/25
FREE DAY
Morning:
- Breakfast at accomodations
Afternoon:
- Optional: day at the beach in Tarquinia just 30 min
from Tuscania - Lunch on own
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Tuscania
Sunday, 07/13/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accomodations
- Transfer by private bus to Rome
Afternoon:
- Check into Hotel in Trastevere neighborhood; lunch
- Monuments of Rome tour
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Rome
Monday, 07/14/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accomodations
- Free time or explore the Mercato di Campagna Amica del Circo Massimo farmers market
Afternoon:
- Light lunch at Aromaticus
Evening:
- Farewell activity: Cooking class including dinner with chef Andrea Consoli
- Overnight in Rome
Tuesday, 07/15/25
Morning:
- Breakfast and check out of accommodations
- API arranged transport to airport for departure
What’s Included
Transportation & Travel Documents
- One group airport pick-up and drop off in Rome
- Ground transportation on all program activities, as necessary
- Local transportation card
Not Included:
- International airfare to and from the United States
- Passport processing fees
- Visa processing fees
- Luggage fees
Housing & Meals
Housing:
- In Tuscania students will stay at Hotel Panoramico
- The last night, in Rome, students will stay in a hotel in the Trastevere neighborhood
- Accommodation will be in shared occupancy hotel rooms for the program duration: bed linens, towels, and internet access included
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns regarding housing, please contact Anne Frey with Education Abroad.
Included Meals:
- Daily breakfast
- Group welcome meal
- One dinner included with group cooking class
- Other meals as listed in the itinerary
Not Included:
- Any meals not specified nor listed as “included” on the itinerary
Health & Safety
All students will receive comprehensive health & safety information closer to the program start date.
International Health Insurance:
- All students will receive medical insurance coverage through API as part of the program fee.
- API’s insurance provider is Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI)
- Insurance benefits include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, as well as coverage in the event of a serious security incident or natural disaster. Likewise, the policy provides coverage for political, security and natural disaster evacuation services.
PCC Advising
For more informaton please utilized the appropriate resource below:
- General study abroad information: PCC Education Abroad
- Information on application, finance, or process questions: [email protected]
- Information about Tuscania program details, course information, or activities: Alissa Leavitt [email protected]
Cultural Preparation
Students will be provided with an orientation handbook prior to the start of the program. Below are examples of the information presented in the handbook:
Helpful Italian Vocabulary:
- Download a list of conversational words to get you started when you arrive in Italy: Conversational Italian Vocabulary
- Download a list of vocabulary related to cultural visits and cities in Italy here: Excursion Specific Vocabulary
Time & the Italian Calendar:
- Europeans use the 24-hour system for telling time.
- Italians are more relaxed with schedules than the typical American tendency. It is not unusual for someone to arrive 20 or 30 minutes later than the designated meeting time.
Business Hours/Pausa Pranzo:
- Hours always vary per shop and location. Generally, business hours begin at 09:00 and continue until the siesta, a midday break when most establishments close for the lunch hour at 13:00 (1:00pm) to re-open again at 16:00 (4:00pm).
Body Language:
- Italians use many hand gestures to accentuate their speech. This is a practice you will have to observe and ask about — and be careful so as not to accidentally offend someone with a seemingly innocent hand gesture!
Personal Space:
- You will notice in Italy that personal space is less marked than in the U.S. Consequently, people may stand closer to you when speaking, may speak louder, and may use more body gestures when describing things or telling a story.
- It’s also common to see close friends and family greet each other with a kiss on each cheek and for friends to walk down the street arm in arm (called braccetto).
Course Information
Summer 2025: Class begins prior to travel.
HE 264: Food Systems and Public Health (4 credits)
The course explores the historical, economic, and political forces shaping global and local food systems. Delve into the Slow Food movement—an initiative preserving regional culinary heritage and advocating for sustainability. Through mindful consumption and support for small-scale producers, Slow Food counters fast-paced, mass-production trends, fostering a more ethical approach to eating.
Prerequisites: WR 115 and RD 115 or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement

Meet the Professor:
Alissa Leavitt, MPH, MCHES
Alissa Leavitt has been teaching Health Studies at PCC since 2011, covering topics from Children’s Health to Community & Public Health. A native Oregonian and PCC alum, she has internationalized her “Food Systems & Public Health” course by adding modules on “slow food” and using Italy as a case study. Students explore food sustainability and cultural recipes while discussing global health and economic issues. In July 2025, Alissa will lead a study abroad trip to Italy for students to delve deeper into these topics.
Before joining PCC, Alissa worked with the Oregon Health Authority, OHSU and the National Cancer Institute. Her dedication to supporting neurodivergent students inspired her to pursue certificates in Learning Differences & Neurodiversity and NeuroEducation. She is also studying the Italian language and has visited Italy twice.
In her free time, Alissa enjoys listening to podcasts, strength training, camping, dog training, watching her son play soccer, and spending time with her family.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid
Federal and state financial aid can be applied towards any PCC Education Abroad program, and any program through the co-enrollment agreement with PSU.
Because each student’s financial aid situation is unique, we recommend that you contact the Financial Aid Office as your first step, to find out what is available. Make sure your file for your FAFSA in October.
Please complete the following form to connect with Melinda Leiva from Financial Aid. Once you complete this form, you should receive a response from Financial Aid within one week. It is great to do this step as early as possible!
Scholarships
There are numerous scholarship and aid opportunities specifically designed to help you fund your education abroad experience.
Helpful Scholarship Resources:
- Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay – Tips
- Information on Requesting Letters of Recommendation
- Request for a Letter of Recommendation – Template
- Gilman Scholarship Application Instructions
Also, did you know that PCC is one of the top producing Gillman Scholarship recipients for the community college category, with about a 65% acceptance rate!
GETTING STARTED
To begin your journey to Rome and Tuscania, please complete this online form to be connected with an advisor and to learn about your next steps!
I'm Ready to Apply now!
How to Apply:
- For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a study abroad program, please click here to watch a video tutorial.
What to Expect When Applying
Eligibility Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older by program start date.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Prerequisites for the course(s) included in the program to which you are applying.
- Attend an Education Abroad First Steps Information Session.
Application Timeline:
- Applications for Summer 2025 will open in September 2024
- Deadline: February 15, 2025
Cancellation & Withdrawal Policy:
- The program deposit is non-refundable, unless the program is cancelled.
- Read the full Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy here.
GET MORE INFO
Contact PCC Education Abroad:
For more information please utilize the appropriate resource below:
- General study abroad information: PCC Education Abroad
- Application, finance, or process questions: [email protected]
- Program details, course information, or activities: Alissa Leavitt [email protected]

Why API
API offers best-in-class programming, with student well-being a high priority.
Our mission is to create better global citizens through international experiential learning. API programs are developed to be transformative, career-boosting experiences that include:
- Community involvement through optional volunteer programs with API Gives Back
- Cultural awareness through relevant coursework and time spent in multicultural student groups
- High-touch student support throughout the program
About API
Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. Their extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. They strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
API is committed to providing enriching international experiences to its participants. We believe in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.