I began Italian at Duke after years of longing to learn what I thought of as the most beautiful language in the world, and now my study of Italian language and culture has become an integral part of my college experience. In conjunction with my ICS major, the Italian and European
Studies major has sparked a deep interest in the global food system, as Italy is a country where culinary traditions are of the utmost importance. My engagement with Italian spurred me to spend a year studying in Bologna, where I became completely immersed in Italian University culture and began conducting interviews as research for my ICS thesis, exploring the reception of immigrant cuisines in the Italian context and the idea of "gastronomic xenophobia."
The Romance Studies department has been very accommodating and encouraging throughout my studies, and although spending a year away seemed to be a bold move at first, the department encouraged and validated my decision, recognizing the vital role study abroad plays in education. I don't know how many opportunities I will have to speak Italian in the United States after I graduate (I hope to spend more time living in Italy!) but my experiences in Italy and Europe have shaped my future plans and defined my Duke experience.
Department of Romance Studies
