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Extraordinary Learning in the Field

In the CIA bachelor's degree programs, students take part in an exciting Food, Wine, and (Agri)culture Trip that immerses them in a major culinary region of the world—either California, the Pacific Northwest, Italy, China, or Spain.

West Coast seminar students explore the food scene of Northern or Southern California or the Pacific Northwest, with visits to as many as 60 sites. Wineries and farms, meat and fish purveyors, coffee roasters, chocolatiers, and restaurants are all covered to introduce students to this national—and international—source of food and cuisine trends.

Students in the Italy, Spain, and China seminars travel overseas to explore authentic, regional ingredient suppliers and restaurants for these popular cuisines. These unforgettable experiences offer valuable lessons in menu development, food and beverage pairing, sustainable agriculture, produce distribution, and the impact of culture on cuisine.

Each international trip is limited to 26 students.

To better understand the relationships between food and wine, culture, history, and terroir and to prepare for their trip, students will first take the companion Food, Wine, and (Agri)culture course on campus.