{"683336":{"#nid":"683336","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Stress Less, Live More: Lessons From Southern Italy","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ECan a change of scenery \u2014\u0026nbsp;and culture\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u2014\u0026nbsp;help students better understand stress and happiness?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThis summer, students in\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/people\/eric-schumacher\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;Eric Schumacher\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EPsychology 3000 \u2013 Stress, Anxiety, and Happiness\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003Eclass researched that question during a new study abroad experience in southern Italy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESchumacher, a professor in the\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/psychology.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u0026nbsp;School of Psychology\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;recently named director of the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/academics\/degrees\/bachelors\/neuroscience-bs\u0022\u003EB.S. in Neuroscience\u003C\/a\u003E program, has taught the popular class for many years.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe course typically covers how culture affects and interacts with chronic stress,\u201d says Schumacher. \u201cI added the two-week study abroad to provide an immersive cultural comparison of stress and well-being between the U.S. and Italy.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESeventeen 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.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThis program empowers students to explore the science and culture of stress and well-being provided by the traditional lifestyle of southern Italy,\u201d says Schumacher. \u201cThrough the integration of psychological theory with local practices \u2014 both modern and in the ancient past \u2014 students gain critical insights into health, resilience, and human flourishing in a global context.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EThe 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.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cStudying abroad was such a special experience,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EHaley Armor,\u003C\/strong\u003E a fourth-year literature, media, and communication major. \u201cIschia 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.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003EStudents enjoyed the opportunity to learn from southern Italy\u2019s famous laid-back culture:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cThe trip showed me just how much unnecessary stress we as Americans often impose on ourselves by never slowing down,\u201d says\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EKylie McCook\u003C\/strong\u003E, a third-year psychology major. \u201cMy 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.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cI am so thankful for my study abroad experience,\u201d adds\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAbby Davis\u003C\/strong\u003E, a second-year neuroscience major. \u0026nbsp;\u0022I 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!\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003ESchumacher considers the program a resounding success and hopes to offer it again in the summer of 2026, citing the two-week\u0026nbsp;length of the program as optimal to allow students time to participate in other summer classes or internship opportunities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp dir=\u0022ltr\u0022\u003E\u201cEncouraging students to engage with unfamiliar environments,\u0026nbsp;both culturally and geographically, significantly deepened their learning experience,\u201d says Schumacher. \u201cDiscussing stress management and wellness is valuable in a classroom setting, but experiencing it firsthand \u2014\u0026nbsp;by taking a relaxing swim in the Mediterranean \u2014\u0026nbsp;really brings the concept to life.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s inaugural summer study abroad program in southern Italy offered students a unique opportunity to research the science and culture of stress and well-being \u2014\u0026nbsp;while soaking in the Mediterranean sun.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s inaugural summer study abroad program in southern Italy offered students a unique opportunity to research the science and culture of stress and well-being \u2014 while soaking in the Mediterranean sun."}],"uid":"36607","created_gmt":"2025-07-29 12:21:23","changed_gmt":"2025-07-29 17:29:30","author":"ls67","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-07-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677516":{"id":"677516","type":"image","title":"Students from Psychology 3000, including Abby Davis, Bailey Benak, and Sarah Peach took their studies global this summer, exploring how culture shapes stress and well-being \u2014 one breathtaking view at a time.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents from Psychology 3000, including Abby Davis, Bailey Benak, and Sarah Peach took their studies global this summer, exploring how culture shapes stress and well-being \u2014 one breathtaking view at a time.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1753793347","gmt_created":"2025-07-29 12:49:07","changed":"1753793347","gmt_changed":"2025-07-29 12:49:07","alt":"Three girls on a clifftop overlooking blue water taking a selfie.","file":{"fid":"261423","name":"AbbyMG_0704.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/29\/AbbyMG_0704_2.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/29\/AbbyMG_0704_2.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":795144,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/29\/AbbyMG_0704_2.jpeg?itok=nK8ZqQDy"}},"677517":{"id":"677517","type":"image","title":"Students spent two weeks living la dolce vita in southern Italy.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EStudents spent two weeks living la dolce vita in southern Italy.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1753793492","gmt_created":"2025-07-29 12:51:32","changed":"1753793492","gmt_changed":"2025-07-29 12:51:32","alt":"Beautiful view of blue water framed by green trees and stonework.","file":{"fid":"261424","name":"waterviewImage.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/29\/waterviewImage_0.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/07\/29\/waterviewImage_0.png","mime":"image\/png","size":201190,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/07\/29\/waterviewImage_0.png?itok=Kfg40ELD"}}},"media_ids":["677516","677517"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/stress-happiness-italy\/home","title":"Stress and Happiness in Italy"},{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/college-sciences-study-abroad-programs","title":"Other College of Sciences Study Abroad Opportunities"}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"443951","name":"School of Psychology"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"151","name":"Policy, Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194602","name":" info-session, semester abroad, study abroad, exchange program, semester exchange"},{"id":"172837","name":"de-stress"},{"id":"192249","name":"cos-community"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELaura S. Smith, writer\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["laura.smith@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}