In just his second year co-leading the Food, Culture, and Agriculture in Greece & Italy program, Dr. David Acker, Associate Dean for Global Engagement and Professor in Agriculture Education, has successfully curated one of the most sought-after travel courses alongside Dr. Sotirios Archontoulis. Their combined expertise in the Mediterranean countries offers students a comprehensive learning experience focusing on the production, distribution, marketing, and regulations associated with the food system while exploring farms and various cultural sights.
Dr. Acker’s love story for Italy began at a very early age when his next-door neighbor moved into town during fourth grade. Although this neighbor didn’t speak English and Dr. Acker wasn’t sure where he was from, they were able to connect through their shared pleasure of soccer, something Dr. Acker recalls him being very good at. The pair’s friendship evolved over the years, and during college, Dr. Acker went to visit him in Italy after his family had moved back. That visit ultimately turned into a European tour that they travelled on together.
Dr. Acker’s international travels were just beginning. He went on to live in both Tanzania and Greece for four years in each country, work in Rome for five summers, serve twice as a Fulbright Fellow in Greece, and in his most recent role, interact regularly with Iowa State University’s campus in Uganda in his position as Director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods. The ongoing list of Dr. Acker’s travel destinations spans far and wide beyond the aforementioned locations, but Greece and Italy are his countries of choice when it comes to immersing students in a new culture abroad.
“When I thought about places I’d love to take students, I thought of Italy, for sure, because I am passionate about it. The food, the culture, the history- it all comes together in an amazing way in Italy. I volunteered in Greece when I was a freshman in college for about a month on a farm that is also a school, and I fell in love with the place and have returned several times...so I’ve had a long-term relationship with Greece. I actually met my wife there and one of our kids was born there, so it goes beyond just hanging out.” - Dr. David Acker
Establishing the itinerary for travel courses is no easy task, but Dr. Acker and Dr. Archontoulis managed to squeeze in a visit to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, cooking classes, guided tours of Acropolis, farm tours, visits to both the American Farm School in Thessaloniki and the Agricultural University of Athens, and so much more. He recognized the importance of summer internships and wanted to ensure that students participating in this study abroad program could still fulfill those obligations after the conclusion of the travel in late May. The pair of program leaders were also sure to build in free time for students to explore Rome, Athens and Thessaloniki to truly make the most of their experience abroad and teach them skills for how to be independent travelers.
“I like the fact that students become challenged mentally and physically when they go on a study abroad. I also like the fact that they have to question where we come from and our system. It’s so much easier to understand our system when you have something to compare it to, and I love to see that unfold for the students... they’re just becoming more critical thinkers.” - Dr. David Acker
When Dr. Acker isn’t busy being a world traveler, he enjoys running and skiing along with staying in touch with his children and grandchildren who are spread out all the way from San Francisco, CA to Amsterdam.
