Can a change of scenery — and culture  — help students better understand stress and happiness?

This summer, students in Eric Schumacher’s Psychology 3000 – Stress, Anxiety, and Happiness class researched that question during a new study abroad experience in southern Italy.

Schumacher, a professor in the School of Psychology and recently named director of the B.S. in Neuroscience program, has taught the popular class for many years.

“The course typically covers how culture affects and interacts with chronic stress,” says Schumacher. “I added the two-week study abroad to provide an immersive cultural comparison of stress and well-being between the U.S. and Italy.”

Seventeen students from across Georgia Tech participated in the inaugural program. The group spent four days in Naples and 10 days on the island of Ischia, exploring locations around the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

“This program empowers students to explore the science and culture of stress and well-being provided by the traditional lifestyle of southern Italy,” says Schumacher. “Through the integration of psychological theory with local practices — both modern and in the ancient past — students gain critical insights into health, resilience, and human flourishing in a global context.”

The curriculum blends daily discussions with cultural experiences, studying the importance of family, food, nature, and free time. Students study both ancient and modern Italian relaxation methods, including visits to Roman bathhouses and hot springs, Pompeii, Greek amphitheaters, pasta factories, and cooking classes.

“Studying abroad was such a special experience,” says Haley Armor, a fourth-year literature, media, and communication major. “Ischia offered a unique backdrop for learning about the psychology of stress and happiness. Everything from our day trips to our daily routines felt like it contributed to our understanding of the coursework.”

Students enjoyed the opportunity to learn from southern Italy’s famous laid-back culture:

“The trip showed me just how much unnecessary stress we as Americans often impose on ourselves by never slowing down,” says Kylie McCook, a third-year psychology major. “My favorite experience was visiting Capri and doing a Blue Grotto boat tour. It gave me a chance to have a relaxing and beautiful experience and become closer friends with other students on the trip.”

“I am so thankful for my study abroad experience,” adds Abby Davis, a second-year neuroscience major.  "I especially enjoyed the thermal parks and the gorgeous beaches. We were able to learn about the history of some of these places, which was so interesting, especially Pompeii!"

Schumacher considers the program a resounding success and hopes to offer it again in the summer of 2026, citing the two-week length of the program as optimal to allow students time to participate in other summer classes or internship opportunities.

“Encouraging students to engage with unfamiliar environments, both culturally and geographically, significantly deepened their learning experience,” says Schumacher. “Discussing stress management and wellness is valuable in a classroom setting, but experiencing it firsthand — by taking a relaxing swim in the Mediterranean — really brings the concept to life.”