Lily York: Study Abroad Pathway

@NashvilleVeggie: Eating Sustainably Around the World

Immersion Vanderbilt Faculty Adviser: Brianna Castro, Department of Sociology

Pathway: Study Abroad

While studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, Lily York (Environmental Sociology; Political Science, '25) explored the intersection of food systems, culture, and sustainability through the Sustainable Food Production and Consumption DIS program.

A long-time vegan and creator of the blog @NashvilleVeggie, Lily used her semester abroad to expand her platform, documenting plant-based dining around Europe and ultimately showing how sustainable eating can be both accessible and adventurous.

With guidance from her Immersion Vanderbilt faculty adviser Professor Brianna Castro, Lily deepened her understanding of sustainability through this experience and project creation. After graduation, Lily hopes to use what she learned in a future career in sustainability and food systems.

Read more about Lily, her study abroad experience, and why she chose a blog for her Immersion Vanderbilt in the Q&A below!

Explore Lily's Vegan Food Blog

Lily York Q&A: From Study Abroad to Immersion Vanderbilt

Where did you study abroad, and what made you choose that location/program?

I studied abroad through DIS in Copenhagen, Denmark. I chose this location because I was able to concentrate in Sustainable Food Production and Consumption and travel around Scandinavia learning about food and the environment.
What inspired you to turn your study abroad experience into a culminating project to ultimately satisfy Immersion Vanderbilt?

I have been vegan for nearly six years and began documenting my favorite places to eat in my first year at Vanderbilt, on my blog I called @NashvilleVeggie. It became a passion project to share with people how easy and delicious it can be to be vegan. By the time I was going abroad, I was very excited to share that I can immerse myself in new cultures and eat amazing food even though I was vegan. I decided this project of mine was what I was most passionate about engaging in, so I wanted it to become my Immersion.
Who was your faculty adviser, and how did they support your project? How did you select them to be your adviser?

My advisor was Professor Brianna Castro who I worked with on a research project in the Environmental Sociology department. I selected her because my veganism is rooted in sustainability, which is something she is an expert in.
How has this culminating project shaped your academic or career goals, especially as you approach graduation? Has it impacted or enhanced your post-grad plans?

My blog is something I want to continue doing, even past my time in Nashville. I am hoping to pursue an academic career related to climate policy and food systems, which is directly connected to this! One of my favorite experiences abroad was traveling to Paris for Al Gore's Climate Reality Leadership Training, where I learned all about how to make a sustainable future.
What advice would you give students thinking about using their study abroad experience to create a culminating project for Immersion Vanderbilt?

Your immersion project should be something you are most proud of! Likely you will have completed many things that could count, so why not make it be the one that “fills your cup”!