Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

International

Location

Perugia, Italy

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This reflection explores my two-month internship at Terre Margaritelli, a sustainable and organic winery in Perugia, Italy, following my semester abroad at the Umbra Institute’s Food, Sustainability and Environment program. As a double major in Botany and Anthropology and a participant in the Food Pathway at Connecticut College, this experience allowed me to connect my academic interests in plants, people, and sustainable food systems with firsthand experience in Italian winemaking. Although my official role was Marketing and Sales Assistant, my responsibilities extended from leading English-speaking tours and creating social media and website content to working alongside the winemaker in the cellar and vineyard. Through participant observation, field notes, and hands-on agricultural work, I gained insight into polyculture, biological pest control, and the relationship between environmental sustainability, cultural traditions, and the economic realities of winemaking. Navigating an unfamiliar work environment and language barrier challenged me to develop adaptability, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration skills. Ultimately, this internship deepened my understanding of the connection between land and people, strengthened my interest in sustainable viticulture, and helped shape my future academic and professional goals in food and planetary health.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.