A Taste of Knowledge
Ohio Wesleyan Students Study 'Food Politics and Policy' in London
Name: Vincent Sack '27
Hometown: North Olmsted, Ohio
High School: North Olmsted High School
Majors: Pre-Law, Politics & Government, and Philosophy
OWU Connection Experience: "Food Politics and Policy" Travel-Learning Course
Along with Sack, Ohio Wesleyan students Eva Birk-Petri '24, Amara Carlson '25, Madison Cartnal '24, Savannah Domenech '25, Sophie Gipson '24, Lily Hambric '24, Perry Jackson '27, Marvella Kurniawan '25, Kahlil Mitchell-Smith '25, Anna Nacci '24, and Camille Payne '26 traveled to London over summer break to explore U.S. and U.K. food regulatory policies. They traveled with Franchesca Nestor, Ph.D., and Ashley Biser, Ph.D., associate professors of Politics & Government.
Professor Nestor says after spending a semester studying the topic, the trip to the United Kingdom "gives students the chance to experience how differences in regulatory policy choices impact everyday life for those with food allergies and food hypersensitivities … in a variety of contexts: dining out, grocery shopping, exploring food markets, and meeting with food policy experts."
An Impactful Professor
"I chose this OWU Connection experience honestly purely from my prior interactions with Dr. Nestor in her Power and American Politics course," Sack said. "I had just arrived at OWU the fall of my freshman year and, since I was planning on majoring in Politics & Government, I needed to take an introduction course in the subject. Dr. Nestor's class was extremely enjoyable and enlightening, so I wanted to simply take more classes taught by her!"
The topic surrounding the politics of food and the policies surrounding it are very important simply because everyone needs to eat!
A Universal Topic
"When I heard about this Connection experience, I thought it would fit extraordinarily well with my interests and curriculum requirements. The topic surrounding the politics of food and the policies surrounding it are very important simply because everyone needs to eat!
"This necessity can be hindered by allergies and other dietary restrictions, though, and we explored the regulatory aspect of this through the lens of what we do in the United States and what they do in the United Kingdom."
Lessons Learned
"I honestly was surprised by the amount of information provided in the United Kingdom at dining establishments. Something specific in my comparative trip was when I purchased a McDonald's meal. This fast-food establishment is something that we see quite frequently in the United States, and I simply wanted to see how different it is in the U.K. – and it definitely was different!
"A lot of factors of my McDonald's eating experience were different, from allergy signs posted behind the register to nutritional information being printed on the wrappers. I was able to see up close a clear comparison of what the two countries do differently.
"To touch on the allergy signs posted, we learned in the classroom about how there needs to be notices posted in the United Kingdom whenever dining out, and I was able to see this in practice and how different businesses navigate the law."
An Unforgettable Experience
"Experiences like this matter a lot, especially to me, as it allowed me to gain knowledge pertaining to how different countries handle the topic of food policies. The experience was also beneficial as it allowed me to simply leave the country! Our trip to the United Kingdom was my first time outside of the U.S., and I certainly won't ever forget the experience!"
My Favorite Moments
"My favorite moments of the experience would have to be the moments we had to explore the locations on our own. I was able to see so much exploring areas in London and Bath. Our day in Richmond was a highlight honestly.
"I was with Savannah and Perry that day when we came across a hotel and decided to ask to use the restroom. In the hotel, there was a grand piano, and Perry just started playing it. (He just started playing classical songs in the lobby of this random fancy hotel.) This was definitely a memorable moment, and it just happened by chance!"
My Campus Involvements
"Moot Court, Politics & Government Student Board, Mock Convention Executive Board, Bridge Program mentor, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, Nancy Bihl Rutkowski Leadership Fellowship, Pre-Law Society."
Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?
"I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan University because of how tight-knit the community felt! I knew I wanted to go to a small college, but after visiting multiple times I felt a sense of being 'wanted.' It's a strange reasoning, but it just felt like the right place, and I can't really express how important being valued as a student made me feel."
My Plan After Graduation
"My plan after graduation is to attend law school and then practice law, with the end goal of getting into the political arena. The Politics & Government Department definitely is helping me attain these goals, especially with the pre-law classes the university offers."