Grayson Cheek '25 Discovers Passion for Nutrition in Italy How studying abroad opened doors to a cultural internship experience

MEET GRAYSON

Public Health and Wellness major Grayson Cheek '25 is currently studying abroad at Sant'Anna Institute, located in Sorrento, Italy.

With a desire to complete an internship while studying abroad, Grayson ultimately chose Sorrento after researching programs that offered both opportunities. Through an extensive application and interview process, she landed an experiential position as a culinary intern with Nonna Flora Cooking School.

a Nutritious experience

As a Public Health and Wellness major, Grayson is gaining valuable experience at Nonna Flora creating wholesome dishes that reflect Italian culture. She assists with the complex craft of making pasta, greets clients and guests, and sets up the kitchen for classes and dining.

Concentrated coursework at Sant'Anna Institute such as Human Nutrition, Cross-Cultural Psychology, and more has also provided her the necessary knowledge to excel at her internship. After graduation, Grayson hopes to take these skills and apply them to a career in nutrition, public health, or a similar field.

Outside of her core studies and internship responsibilities, Grayson has enjoyed extracurricular activities and exploring the Amalfi Coast.

"One memorable experience I've had while abroad is that for my History of Italian Mafia class, we went on a field trip to a town called Ercolano which is sort of near Pompeii and Naples. During the excursion, we learned more about the mafia and the different groups that were involved in it. Additionally, we saw these cool ruins and a radio station that some mafia members used while fighting in the war. Another memorable event I participated in was a boat cruise along the Amalfi Coast and seeing Amalfi and Atrani. On the boat cruise, we saw some cool towers and villas, and learned fascinating history about the coast and what certain landmarks were used for."

If you're deciding whether to study abroad or not, I would say that you should totally do it! It's something that you won't regret and it's an opportunity that you only get to do once in your life. You will explore different parts of yourself that you didn't even know you had. You'll also learn to be independent and to go out and do things on your own."

Interested in studying abroad? Make an appointment with Joanne Farley in Career & Experiential Learning to start your journey!

Credits:

Created with images by • Boris Stroujko - Atrani town on Amalfi coast, Sorrento, Italy • GISTEL - Small fishing boats at harbor Marina Grande in Sorrento, Campania, Amalfi Coast, Italy. • elxeneize - View of Positano on the italian Amalfi coast after sunset