“Bites Abroad” Brings Global Study Abroad Experiences to Campus Dining at Elon University
Elon Dining, through Harvest Table Culinary Group, the on-campus dining partner at Elon University, is connecting global study abroad experiences with on-campus dining through “Bites Abroad”, a student-driven program that transforms international travel into immersive culinary storytelling and campus-wide food experiences.
Designed to bridge academics, culture, and food, Bites Abroad supports students studying abroad by providing experiential learning opportunities and a platform to document their international journeys through food. Students in the program create weekly journals and short-form video content highlighting the meals they try overseas, offering a first-person look at global cuisine, culture, and everyday life abroad.
These stories extend beyond digital engagement. Dishes highlighted in student created content serve as inspiration for Elon Dining’s culinary teams, who adapt them into limited‑time offerings across campus dining locations. When students return to campus, they work directly with Elon Dining chefs to recreate select dishes inspired by their travels. The collaborations culminate in pop‑up tasting events and dining hall station takeovers, inviting the broader campus community to experience global flavors firsthand.
“Study abroad is such a transformative experience for students, and food is often at the center of it,” said Christian Wallace, Guest Experience Manager for Elon Dining. “Bites Abroad allows students to share those experiences while they’re happening, then bring them home in a way that’s tangible, interactive, and communal.”
The program launched as a pilot in Fall 2024 with an Elon Dining intern studying in Copenhagen, Denmark who was also traveling throughout Europe. Her experiences culminated in a campus pop-up showcasing European-inspired dishes and a dining hall station takeover where she worked alongside the dining team’s chefs to serve students.
A second student participant studied in Japan and South Korea during Elon University’s January term, producing more than a dozen videos and hosting a Korean-inspired pop-up event upon returning to campus.
Beyond engagement, Bites Abroad also reflects a growing emphasis on experiential learning and professional development. Students participating in the program gain hands-on experience in content creation, storytelling, and cross-cultural communication while building real-world portfolios.
Bites Abroad is an ongoing opportunity for students to take advantage of. Two students studying abroad in Italy and France are preparing to participate in the program.
