There is no denying that studying abroad offers a wide variety of benefits. Although you may be inclined to focus on the educational perks that stem from this unique academic experience, it is also important to recognize the numerous pros coming from the cultural exposure you will have. For example, as you travel from each destination to the next, you may notice that each locale has a gastronomical entity unto itself. By savoring some staple specialties in every city you visit, you may get a taste of each site's cultural identity.
Stock up on cured meats in Bologna
Bologna, Italy, is commonly referred to as "la grassa" or "the fat" in Italian. If this nickname says anything about Bologna, it's that the city has a lot of delicacies to offer – and delicious ones, at that.
Situated in central Italy, this destination is in a prime culinary location. With cities such as Parma and Modena nearby, Bolognese have ready access to scrumptious, high-quality ingredients like parmesan cheese, Lambrusco wine and balsamic vinegar. That being said, Bologna has its own fair share of gastronomic goodies.
Famous for everything from tortellini to Bolognese pasta sauce, it may be difficult to choose which dishes to sample first. However, the product that is perhaps the quintessence of this city's cuisine is mortadella.
Making mortadella, a cured meat, is a tradition unique to Emilia Romagna that some say dates back to the Roman Empire. It is produced using minced meat that is cured with salt and spices and is then placed in a casing. The most notable characteristic of this ingredient is that there are visible bits of fat throughout each piece, which adds to the richness of the flavor.
Visit Parisian boulangeries for baguettes
You may be in the mood for something starchier. Luckily, heading to Paris will present you with the perfect opportunity to relish what is arguably the best bread in the world.
When visitors think Paris, they normally envision stylish individuals wearing a beret and strolling along the streets with a baguette under one arm. This is not necessarily a stretch of the imagination, as bread is a pillar of the Parisian diet.
The beauty of bread in France is that it's dirt cheap. Thanks to subsidies from the government, you can grab a loaf for next to nothing – but where? Travel + Leisure suggested you stop by the award-winning Boulangerie Pâtisserie Gosselin during your study abroad summer. This shop sells traditional baguettes, and you should be certain to grab one earlier in the day when they're fresh and there are still some on the shelves.
If you're up for a true cultural experience, have a baguette sandwich for lunch. Almost every shop has them, and they come with a variety of fillings – from ham and cheese to hard boiled eggs and butter.
Sample regional olives in Rhodes
Finish your study abroad gastronomical tour in Rhodes, Greece. Although this city has a multitude of hallmark Greek dishes, your best bet is to try the olives and olive oil during your visit.
Most of Rhode's terrain, composed of mountains and valleys, is taken up by olive trees. Over the course of two months each fall, locals harvest the olives of the area, proceeding to cure them in both brine and sea salt, in addition to pressing them to make oil.
As you enjoy your time in Greece, you will want to sample all of the varieties of olive that are cultivated here. For example, you can try some Kalamata olives by themselves, in salads or other typical dishes. On top of this, you can enjoy olives stuffed with garlic, pepper or pimento as a part of an appetizer. Also, drizzle a drop of native oil on top of any dish to add more dimension and allow you to take in the flavors of Rhodes.