Traveling abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When granted the opportunity, a student should soak up every bit of it they can get.

One of the most exciting global things to experience is food and culinary customs. While studying in Germany, students can encounter meals rich in whole foods in traditional meals and fun and diverse street food. To wash that down, locals may offer you a local beer or wine, depending on the region. 

Let's explore how Kayla Woodward, a Coe College graduate, adapted to food while studying abroad, in particular, while in Germany. 

You can find a sense of wholesomeness and simplicity in Germany’s food. When Kayla studied abroad in Germany, she was amazed by the health density of the food. At first, the difference in taste and portion came as a surprise. She found meals to be a little less flavorful and sizable. Her first meal upon arrival was a Frühstück, which is a traditional breakfast similar to what we would call a veggie tray. It contained vegetables, bread, and numerous spreads to dip. She realized even though the portions were smaller than she was used to, “it was much more plentiful and satiating due to the whole foods she consumed.”

Frühstück

Kayla never felt homesick for food from the U.S.. She said, “Typically I like to eat clean foods anyways, so it was so much easier accessing these types of food abroad. The only options were clean and whole foods.” Kayla had a simple switch to food in Germany, although for some students, it's not uncommon to experience culture shock when exposed to different food items. Getting acclimated to the local cuisine didn’t seem too difficult for her. She noted, “the taste preferences were to my liking and not anything out of the ordinary too much.” Kayla ate at cafes, pizza places, and street food joints. These establishments were all close to the apartment she stayed in, so it was typical for her and friends to visit them often, especially on a late night out.
 
An additional popular food in Germany is the döner, a Turkish-originated street food consisting of pita bread packed with meat and various flavorful toppings, with an option of fries along with it. Kayla compared it to a gyro. The difference between this meal and other meals she ate in Germany was that “the portion is huge.” The döner shop was a common stop for Kayla and her friends. 

Döner 

Another culinary highlight of her trip was the currywurst. The currywurst is a German fast food, consisting of sliced pork sausage, usually a bratwurst topped with a tomato-based sauce flavored with curry powder. These were her two favorites because “it was what all of the locals would eat.” Another unique experience that Kayla had was attending Oktoberfest. The most unusual thing she ate during Oktoberfest was a white sausage that had truly no color. 

Similar to the U.S., Kayla said that “shopping at the grocery store always proved to be cheaper than eating out.” However, “the cost of groceries is significantly cheaper in Germany than the U.S..” So when in Germany, your chances of snagging high-quality and affordable whole foods is more common than in the U.S.. With grocery shopping comes cooking at home. Cooking meals, especially those of German and Turkish origin, became a key element to her study abroad experience. Kayla was shocked by the success of her home-cooked meals, which were far less difficult than expected, “the cooking experience is simpler than I imagined.” She prepared several curry dishes and hosted nights of cross-cultural interactions with fellow students abroad. Every international student would cook a dinner native to their country for each other to try. She said, “we would all host a dinner in someone’s apartment and cook a “traditional meal” from our country, so that exposed me to a lot of different combinations. I loved the cultural experience and it’s something I continue to live in my life.”

These exchanges gave exposure to global flavors to all students and played a large role in developing relationships. Kayla’s experience with food abroad changed her perspective on cuisine and culture memorably. “Living in Germany made me realize the quality of food is significantly better abroad. In the US, everything tastes processed and fake for the most part,” she said.

Kayla’s number one recommendation when abroad is to try everything at least once. Maintaining an open mind, she believes that “If you don’t like something, there's no reason to try it again.” You never know, the most surprising foods may become a favorite. You may return home and crave it to the point you learn how to make it yourself. Her other piece of advice is “to not be afraid to ask questions or get a locals opinion on traveling in their country because nine times out of ten they know better than you just guessing.”

Her cultural experience in Germany was enhanced by dining with locals and other international students. Kayla developed deep friendships with people she met in Germany and some from a multitude of other countries. Several connections were made through group dinners, capping a night out at the döner shop, and learning Germany’s culinary customs. These encounters strengthened the concept that food serves as a strong cultural bridge that forges builds lasting memories and strengthens bonds.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Izzy Bethany is a junior at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is majoring in Communication Studies, minoring in Health and Society Studies and taking various Education courses. She is an active member of Tri Delta and is passionate about supporting children and families. With aspirations of becoming a Child Life Specialist, Izzy tutors elementary-aged students and is dedicated to making a positive impact through education and compassionate care.

Word photo adapted by Wandering Educators. All other photos courtesy and copyright Kayla Woodward, published with permission