With Thanksgiving on the horizon, we’re reminded of the powerful role that food plays in bringing people together and building connections. As we gather around tables filled with food—wherever we are in the world—we share stories; we laugh; we create memories; and we learn. Food can spark conversations, bridge cultural differences, and teach us more about each other and ourselves than we might expect.

As we continue to celebrate EdOdyssey’s 10th anniversary year, we look back fondly on four unforgettable meals—meals that nourished our bodies, but also our minds and our hearts.  

Tasting Guinea Pig in Peru

A memory that stands out for our Program Director in Peru, Luis García, happened in 2022. It was the second or third night that students from Loyola Blakefield were in Lima for their Immersion and Solidarity trip, and they were preparing to travel to Cusco the next morning.

“As a group, they came with a great sense of curiosity and were eager to try new things,” Luis said. “They had heard about guinea pigs, which are a delicacy in the highlands. Nobody was eager to order one for themselves, so we decided to order one for the group. They hesitated at first, but once they tried it, they really enjoyed it! This experience helped them to open up to try other new things as the trip progressed!” 

A family meal in the Alps

This past spring semester, our Senior Program Director in Italy, Stefano Parenti, opened up his home in the Italian Alps and invited our semester student to have a special traditional Italian dinner with his family—a true immersive experience. The meal took place during EdOdyssey’s included excursion to the northwest where semester students visit Turin, Langhe, and the Alps.  

“Our student visitor really enjoyed being immersed in an authentic Italian family environment and tasting local traditional dishes while chatting with us— including with our kids—around the table,” Stefano said. “This was a truly authentic experience and cultural exchange for all the participants—both our student and my family.”  

Meeting host families in Lima 

Our third memory takes us back to Peru. Along with Luis, our former Program Operations Manager Maddie Reeves, enjoyed sharing a meal with several of our local host families at one of their homes. They gathered around a table with rotisserie chicken (a Peruvian favorite), salad, and fries—along with Inca Kola.

“I had never had Inca Kola before visiting Peru,” Maddie said. “It is now my favorite and I seek it out here in Michigan! It was so nice to connect over food, share stories about study abroad, and listen to the experiences of our host families. It gave me great insight into what staying with a host family in Peru is like for our students! I felt so welcomed and loved, even in just the few hours we had known each other!”

Cooking Together in Rome

Our former Program Leader in Italy, Rachel Zitin’s memories take her back to a wonderful meal experience she had in 2099 when a group of high school students participated in a cooking class in Trastevere. They made pasta by hand, whipped the fresh cream with mascarpone cheese for homemade tiramisu, and chopped up vegetables and meats.

”We were a big group, so we all piled into the cooking class studio,” Rachel said. “It was super fun watching some of the students fully participate in the kitchen (some for the first time in their lives!). It was a yummy meal and definitely our most memorable meal during our time together in Rome!” 

Food is tied to many study abroad memories for students

There are so many other food stories to come out of study abroad: of simple picnics, of huge cultural celebrations, and of sometimes unexpected everyday experiences.

Among many others, these include students bonding as they sample an array of international foods they bought in London’s Borough Market; students learning to cook with a local professional chef and sharing the results around a communal table; and students who have embraced more adventurous cuisine—like the story of one of Jake, one China alum who arrived as a worried and notoriously picky eater and went home with an open mind. Now, he misses the tastes of China.

If you have studied or traveled abroad, no doubt you will recall memories of your own.

Many more meals to come…

Looking ahead, we know for a fact that food will continue to help us build memories and foster connections between our students and locals in the places we travel, regardless of any language barriers.

Food is also a wonderful excuse to spend time with colleagues outside of our inboxes. In fact, we have a special meal planned that we’re looking forward to next week as we sponsor a VIP dinner in Boston during the PIE Live North America event. “We can’t wait to gather around a table with friends and colleagues, celebrating EdOdyssey’s 10-year anniversary with a tasting menu and drinks inspired by the countries we work in,” said EdOdyssey President and Founder Peter McGovern. “There will be a few surprises too!”

Here's to all of the memorable meals that continue to bring us joy, and the countless food-related gatherings yet to come.