Magellan Project 2017: Chocolate Empires in Europe

For my Magellan Project, I will be traveling to Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany to research each country's chocolate industries. I hope to find similarities and differences in the taste and production strategies between each country. I also hope to make a general comparison between European and American chocolate. Inspiration for my project: In the summer of 2014, I was fortunate enough to go on a Europe trip with my high school. While in Switzerland, I was constantly reminded to purchase and try Swiss chocolate. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and noticed an extreme difference between Swiss and American chocolate. One thought lingered in my mind: What makes Swiss chocolate so much better than American chocolate? Thanks to the Magellan Project, I will hopefully be able to obtain the answer to my question. While researching, I noticed that not only Switzerland, but also Belgium and Germany boasted the best chocolates in the world. I began contacting chocolatiers in

The Magellan Project is specific to Washington & Jefferson college and is one of W&J's three study abroad options available to current students. The Magellan Project is completed during the summer and allows students to pursue a self-designed research project studying any topic, anywhere in the world. If you dream it, the Magellan Project can grant students the opportunity to achieve that dream. Whether a student wants to stay close to home in Pittsburgh or flies across the ocean to study in Europe or South America, the possibilities are numerous. Students go through an extensive application process in order to receive funding for their desired project. The first step is to brainstorm ideas and submit a project idea and location. Part two of the application requires four main components: A Personal Statement, A Detailed Essay About The Project, A Budget, and Contacts. The Magellan Project allows students to step out of their comfort zone and do something that they hav