Study Abroad: 500 Corks in Germany

Barrels of wine seen by students during JWU's 500 Corks study abroad program.

For Andrew House ’17, it’s about being able to experience the hospitality industry firsthand. For example: “Understanding the geography of wine regions is something that’s really hard to do from a book,” said House.

Which is why the food service management major recently embarked on the international trip of a lifetime through JWU Study Abroad, participating in 500 Corks: Wine and Wine/Food Pairings in Germany. 

"Coming to JWU has shown me a love of traveling."

As part of the program, House studied at an internationally recognized German wine school for 4 weeks. Classes included honing skills in wine and food pairings, focusing on both the new- and old-world wines of Europe. “We had guest instructors come every day, and they would teach us about a different region and share their experiences,” said House. Students also spent 1 week on excursions to vineyards and wine cellars in the surrounding wine-growing regions of France. “Being there … I can really just experience what this wine has to go through to become such an amazing thing in a bottle.”

It’s an experience House won’t soon forget, as it’s a long way from where he began. “The first time I moved was moving into the [residence hall] on campus,” said House. “Coming to JWU has shown me a love of traveling.”