Although hedonism may at first bring to mind the 1960s and Free Love, in UNISG master student Katie Phelan's life, hedonism is reinterpreted with a very 21st–century flavor. It still means supremacy of pleasure over obligation, but in our hyper-achiever society Phelan's version gives her a single-minded drive: “I live according to my passions, I live quite a hedonistic life. I do what I want. I don't think of money—I think of being happy.” This journey has taken her from studying art, English and fashion design all the way to working as a mechanic and food writer, and most recently to UNISG.

Hailing from Dublin, one would think that the move to tiny Colorno might be a culture shock for 25-year-old Phelan, but that is far from true. “This is the most built-up metropolitan place I've lived in—I've never lived in an apartment before,” she says, laughing at herself. “That's new, calling Colorno metropolitan. No?” It turns out Phelan grew up on a farm in the agricultural northern county of Dublin, and her relationship with food began early, as her family raised sheep, goats, cows, chickens, and ducks for their personal consumption, as well as growing organic vegetables.

After her Bachelor's degree, Phelan spent three years working in her father's mechanic business before the pursuit of pleasure beckoned once again and she embarked on a year of travel, starting in Russia on the trans-Siberian railway and ending in sun-drenched Australia. The return to Ireland brought an opportunity to write for Image magazine as their food writer, a varied role that Phelan continues to enjoy. “I had a sort of an epiphany, and I realized that I was happy sitting at a desk surrounded by books, surrounded by food.... If I could possibly make a career out of this then that was what I wanted to do.” The idea of further study had already taken hold, and research unearthed UNISG as a way to take her passion further. Ultimately it was her familiarity with and love for Italy that clinched the decision to apply. “I am really, really fond of Italians in general, I see them as passionate and admire their attitude to life, their attitude to food, and their attitude to family. I really like this country!”

The small size of UNISG's Colorno campus turned Phelan's preconceived notion of university on its head. “It's a sort of a microuniversity,” she notes, pleasantly surprised by the content of the program, which has opened her eyes to topics such as sustainability, medieval art, and the history of locality. The clear highlight for Phelan has been meeting people from different places. “It allows you to appreciate your own background and puts what you have in perspective. You see things that are better and worse about your own culture.”

So for our 21st-century hedonist, what will a year studying in Italy bring, other than pleasure? Phelan is looking for “a strong knowledge foundation to do the things that I love,” whether they be food writing, other work the domain of food, learning about food, or cooking. “I am really open because the course is so broad and because you learn from so many different types of people.”

This breadth of experiences fits in well with her approach to life, opening up myriad ways in which to direct her passion. Ultimately, she declares, “I am going to gather all this knowledge and use it to better myself to forge a career in food writing or whatever it may be.” Then there's a small pause and the wry acknowledgement of a self-respecting hedonist: “I am liable to change my mind.”

— Rani Narulla