A potential future Mizzou Advantage project is expanding food-focused study abroad trips. Faculty members from different schools and colleges, including arts and science, agriculture and human environmental sciences, are building relationships with international schools to identify educational travel opportunities. The goal is to offer unique and affordable ways for MU students to experience different cultures and world views in their fields of study.

"Faculty members along with the MU Study Abroad Program are exploring possibilities to offer more locations for students to travel and learn about food and culture," Britt-Rankin said. "For example, one possible idea is to expand the current course, "The Mediterranean Diet," to not only offer a course in Italy but add additional offerings in France and Greece. Expanding on the current course offering in Italy will enhance learning about culture, religion, family life, economy and agricultural production and their effects on food and diet."

Britt-Rankin believes Mizzou Advantage is a catalyst for collaboration and growth for the University of Missouri.

"We're just beginning to see some of the exciting connections among different researchers," Britt-Rankin said. "There are dozens of ideas for interrelated projects - such as the metabolic kitchen, which includes nutrition, cooking and science-based learning and practice opportunities for professionals in medicine, child development, dietetics and nutritional science. Mizzou Advantage is giving life to these proposals; it's amazing to see researchers from different fields collaborate and put action to ideas."

Source: University of Missouri-Columbia