International Students’ View on Food and Culture

by EMILIA DRONKERTContributor

Whenever somebody tells me that they are an international student, my mind immediately jumps to one thing: food. Food is such an integral part of one’s culture and daily life, so going without your home cuisine for an extended period of time must be especially difficult. I talked to five international students at Manhattan College about their experiences with food in America, and here is what they had to say. And which food do these students prefer? While the three guys cast their vote for American, Milena and Ivana say they prefer the cuisine at home.

neisl

Niels Kirch, Junior

Cologne, Germany

Men’s Soccer

Favorite American Food?

“Spare ribs.”

Favorite German Food?

“Leberkäse, a big fat piece of meat from pork.”

What is a common German breakfast?

“Regular bread with cheese, cup of coffee and juice.”

What is a common German lunch?

“Schnitzel with potatoes.”

What is a common German dinner?

“Pasta.”

What word would you use to describe American food?

“Heavy.”

What word would you use to describe American food?

“Traditional.”

What is the strangest American food?

“Fried dough.”

dmb

Milena Janjusevic, Junior

Belgrade, Serbia

Women’s Volleyball

Favorite American Food?

“Chicken teriyaki.”

Favorite Serbian food?

“Karadjordjeva, pan seared schnitzel rolled with ham and creamy cheese spread, and Lepinja sa kajmakom, traditional bread served warm with creamy cheese spread.”

What is a common Serbian breakfast?

“Scrambled eggs and yogurt. Not Greek yogurt, this one is a special kind.”

What is a common Serbian lunch?

“Bean stew with smoked baby back ribs or barbecue with mashed potato.”

What is a common Serbian dinner?

“Cheese pie, with feta cheese.”

Describe American food in one word?

“Unhealthy.”

Describe Serbian food in one word?

“SUPER tasty.”

Are there any American foods you really want to try but have not?

“Home country food definitely.” (NOT LOCKE’S!)

What is the strangest American food?

“Sweet barbecue sauce and bacon and syrup eating together.”

ivanka

Ivana Kostic, Junior

Belgrade, Serbia

Women’s Volleyball

Favorite American food?

“Tater tots.”

Favorite Serbian food? “Sarma. Sarma is cooked by using cabbage leaves, ground meat, rice and season with vegetable seasoning, bay leaves, and pa prika.”

What is a common Serbian breakfast? “Eggs, milk, and bread.”

What is a common Serbian lunch? “Soup, followed by a cooked meal.”

What is a common Serbian dinner?

“Sliced smoked meat with cheese and bread.”

Describe American food in one word?

“Different.”

Describe Serbian food in one word?

“Tasty.”

Are there any American foods you really want to try but have not?

“Not really because I rarely try new things.”

What is the strangest American food?

“Barbecue chicken.”

jojo

Joe Hulme, Sophomore

Bolton, England

Men’s Soccer

Favorite American food?

“Shake Shack burger and fries.”

Favorite English food?

“Fish and chips with mushy peas. Fish cooked in batter with fries and peas mashed up”

What is a common English breakfast?

“Baked beans, fried eggs, and toast”

What is a common English lunch?

“Pie and chips. Meat and potatoes cooked in a pastry with fries.”

What is a common English dinner?

“Sausage and mash potato, brown sauce and buttered bread.”

Describe American food in one word?

“Different.”

Describe English food in one word?

“Fattening.”

Are there any American foods you really want to try but have not?

“Corndogs.”

What is the strangest American food?

“Putting bacon and eggs with pancakes, you strange weirdos”

ryan

Ryan Shields, Sophomore

Manchester, England

Men’s Soccer

Favorite American Food?

“Philly cheesesteaks.”

Favorite English Food?

“Full English breakfast, sausage, eggs, beans.”

Classic English Breakfast?

“Beans on toast.”

Classic English Lunch?

“Subway/sandwiches.”

Classic English Dinner?

“Pasta.”

Describe American food in one word?

“Big!”

Describe English food in one word?

“Boring.”

What American food have you not tried that you want to try?

Peanut butter and jelly.”

What is the strangest American food?

“Corn dogs.”