Students in The American University of Rome’s Food Studies program are often reminded that Rome itself is an extension of the classroom. On Friday, March 6, that principle was brought into sharp focus as M.A. Food Studies students visited the headquarters of the World Food Programme (WFP). Located just a short distance from campus, the visit offered direct insight into the operations of one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.
During the visit, students met with Human Resources Officer Adnan Alwashali and Nutrition Program Officer Sara Bernardini, who provided an overview of the organization’s current initiatives. Discussions explored the evolving challenges facing global food aid, including reductions in international funding, as well as efforts to prioritize local economies and community voices in program design. Particular attention was given to integrated nutrition strategies that move beyond addressing undernutrition alone, reflecting a more holistic approach to food security.
The session also highlighted professional pathways within the World Food Programme, offering students a clearer understanding of how academic study can translate into careers in international development and humanitarian work.
Experiences such as this are central to AUR’s Food Studies curriculum, which emphasizes engagement with real-world contexts. By interacting directly with practitioners, students are able to critically assess the complexities of global food systems—moving beyond theory to examine how policies and interventions function in practice.
The visit forms part of a broader sequence of experiential learning opportunities, with students continuing their exploration of food systems later this month through a field visit to Rome’s Cooperativa Agricola Coraggio.
M.A. Food Studies Student Grace Gray contributed to this article.