Discovering new and diverse cuisines is often a highlight for Penn State students during their time abroad, and we hope that all students take advantage of the opportunity to try new foods and learn more about the local cultures. For students managing dietary restrictions due to health, lifestyle choices, or religious beliefs, thoughtful planning and preparation can enable you to also participate in these enriching cultural experiences.
We encourage you to talk with your education abroad adviser early on in your planning process about any health-related, lifestyle, or religious dietary restrictions you may have. This way, we can help ensure that these considerations are taken into account throughout the application and placement phases.
Questions to consider:
- What are the most common dishes in my host location?
- Will the local population be familiar with my dietary restriction(s)? Can my dietary needs be accommodated by the local dining options?
- Will I be responsible for preparing my own meals, or will meals be provided for me?
- Will kitchen facilities be shared in my on-site housing?
- If I'm living with a host family, how will I communicate my dietary needs to them effectively?
- Programs that offer homestay housing options typically include home-cooked meals from the host family. Can I be placed in a homestay where my dietary needs will be met?
- If I'm going abroad to a location where I don't speak the local language, how will I communicate my dietary restrictions at restaurants or markets?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Research the local cuisine: Knowing the typical diet in your host location can be helpful before arrival, as you'll know which foods are common and which are not widely consumed. Reach out to your program to see if there are local restaurants or markets that have options for you.
- Learn how to tell people about your needs: If you do not speak the local language, use language translation resources to learn how to communicate your dietary needs. If you have specific food allergies, knowing the name of those foods in the local language is very important.
- You might consider carrying a card with you that lists your dietary restrictions in the local language. That way, you can avoid potentially uncomfortable situations where you would need to decline a meal at a group gathering.
- Bring your necessities: If you have a severe food allergy and need medication in case of an allergic reaction, be sure to have that with you when you're abroad. Research any prescription medicine restrictions in your host country in advance, just in case.
Resources:
- Celiac Travel: Gluten-Free Restaurant Cards (translated into 63 languages!)
Discovering new and diverse cuisines is often a highlight for Penn State students during their time abroad, and we hope that all students take advantage of the opportunity to try new foods and learn more about the local cultures. For students managing dietary restrictions due to health, lifestyle choices, or religious beliefs, thoughtful planning and preparation can enable you to also participate in these enriching cultural experiences.
We encourage you to talk with your education abroad adviser early on in your planning process about any health-related, lifestyle, or religious dietary restrictions you may have. This way, we can help ensure that these considerations are taken into account throughout the application and placement phases.
Questions to consider:
- What are the most common dishes in my host location?
- Will the local population be familiar with my dietary restriction(s)? Can my dietary needs be accommodated by the local dining options?
- Will I be responsible for preparing my own meals, or will meals be provided for me?
- Will kitchen facilities be shared in my on-site housing?
- If I'm living with a host family, how will I communicate my dietary needs to them effectively?
- Programs that offer homestay housing options typically include home-cooked meals from the host family. Can I be placed in a homestay where my dietary needs will be met?
- If I'm going abroad to a location where I don't speak the local language, how will I communicate my dietary restrictions at restaurants or markets?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Research the local cuisine: Knowing the typical diet in your host location can be helpful before arrival, as you'll know which foods are common and which are not widely consumed. Reach out to your program to see if there are local restaurants or markets that have options for you.
- Learn how to tell people about your needs: If you do not speak the local language, use language translation resources to learn how to communicate your dietary needs. If you have specific food allergies, knowing the name of those foods in the local language is very important.
- You might consider carrying a card with you that lists your dietary restrictions in the local language. That way, you can avoid potentially uncomfortable situations where you would need to decline a meal at a group gathering.
- Bring your necessities: If you have a severe food allergy and need medication in case of an allergic reaction, be sure to have that with you when you're abroad. Research any prescription medicine restrictions in your host country in advance, just in case.
Resources:
- Celiac Travel: Gluten-Free Restaurant Cards (translated into 63 languages!)
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