Student Spotlight: Reid Hewitt in Italy
What is the relationship to food that the people in your host country have? When do they eat? What kinds of foods and ingredients do they eat? Are meals usually with a group or alone? Are there any traditions or customs surrounding food that aid digestion?
“Food is very important in Italian culture, not only as a source of nourishment, but there is also a distinctive pride in Italian dishes. Traditional pasta and pizza vary by region, and each region is known for their unique version of what we associate with staple Italian dishes. For instance, Neapolitan pasta originated in Naples, and cacio pepe pasta is unique to Rome. Italians also cook with very few ingredients and seasonings. I sometimes find the food quite bland because they believe in the quality of ingredients rather than quantity. I took a cooking class, and the chef harped on the idea that a good pasta sauce only needs 4-5 ingredients, and anything extra takes away from the flavor of the ingredients. Wine and coffee are also very important to the Italian diet. There is even a “coffee culture” and unique way of drinking espresso at a bar standing up rather than sitting down. Meals are typically eaten in group settings, with quality time being associated with sharing a meal.”
What does daily movement look like in your host country? Do people mainly drive cars or use public transportation? Do they walk or bike? Do you see people exercising? Are exercise facilities available and accessible?
“Italy is very walkable but has many public transportation options, such as a metro line, buses, and scooters. Ubers in Italy aren’t the same as in the United States, where anyone can drive for the company, but in Italy they are professional drivers, so the rate is exorbitantly high. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the price of Uber here, especially on days where the bus is unreliable and I’m rushing to class and must take an Uber or taxi. Taxis are also very common, but once you get to the small villages like Sienna, for example, there’s only 56 taxis in the entire city. That’s crazy to think about! Cars are often very truncated here to fit into tight parallel parking spaces. Some of the cars look almost cartoonish, and I rarely see suburban vehicles or tucks. I have seen quite a few bikers, but the Vespa scooter is the most popular. The traffic laws are nonexistent, and people are often lane switching, and it’s easier to do that on a scooter.”
Is there a cadence or rest in your host country? Do people generally go home or start their work or school at a certain hour? Do they have periods of rest during the day? Is there urgency or relaxedness in your host culture?
“I’ve noticed a lot of people party and stay out late even on weekdays. I think Sunday is the typical day of rest associated with the Christian faith, but in the Jewish communities, their day of rest is Saturday. Lunch is typically eaten around 1-2pm, unlike in the United States, where we typically eat lunch around 11-12 noon. I’m not sure if there are periods of rest during the day as I don’t observe the public as I am in class. However, many people often have tea or coffee around 5 p.m. Italy seems extremely relaxed compared to the United States. People don’t seem to be in a rush to do things, eat dinner late, and don’t stay in the office long.”