Deadline for Applications: March 15, 2018

Georgian Foodways
Global Pathways/Local Contexts

Although Georgia is only about the size of West Virginia, the tiny country is home to several distinct cultures. Each of these cultures has contributed to Georgia’s legendary culinary traditions and many have developed their own variations of dishes now often collectively known as “Georgian.”

On this unique travel seminar, you will spend two weeks in an interdisciplinary exploration of Georgian national identity and history through its national cuisine. Using a variety of critical academic approaches, explore issues like climate change and state agricultural policies within the context of such issues as food security, the place of food in social justice and ethnic identity, and the role of Georgian foodways in the current global tourism economy.

Learn the history, preparation, and traditions of regional dishes that make up Georgian cuisine: khinkali, khachapuri, lobio, suluguni, satsivi, and others while giving special attention to Georgian viniculture (winemaking) and viticulture (grape growing). Vegetarians and even vegans are welcome – while Georgian cuisine offers many tasty meat dishes, it also abounds in dishes that are meat-free and high-protien (from beans, dairy, and nuts). This travel seminar includes most meals so as to fully introduce you to the diverse, rich, traditions of Georgia’s foodways.

Students may apply for a $500 ACCESS GRANT for this program. Grant participants will be expected to contribute weekly (a total of 3) write-ups of specific program experiences and one program summary. This can be a written, photos (with extensive captions), or video summary with footage taken while abroad. Write-ups will be about one page long and can include synopsis of lectures or excursions. The summary review will cover generally what the scholarship participant experienced and learned on this program and how they plan to use this knowledge and experience in the future. The grant is awarded after all conditions are met.

To apply, send in a 30-second video of yourself saying why you want to study with this program. Submit this plus two writing samples (e.g. papers written for college-level classes, preferably on any topic on any country within Eurasia or on Cuba) when applying for this program (under the materials section of the application).

For more information, and to apply, click here.