When you go to study in the UK, do you still miss the food cooked by your mother? Let’s find out how to satisfy your craving! Aishah Prastowo is from Indonesia and is currently studying for a doctorate in engineering science at the University of Oxford. Selected as a student reporter by a British website, she uses four tips to help international students who miss the food of their home country solve their problems.
Living in the UK, 7,000 miles away from Indonesia, I feel homesick from time to time. Of course, I miss my family, but food is what I miss the most. Research shows that we develop memories by remembering the foods we ate as children, so it's no surprise that we seek comfort in eating the food of our homeland. Because the food I particularly crave may not be something I can eat at home, I have to get creative to satisfy my cravings. Here are my top four tips for international students when they miss the food back home.
Learn to cook for yourself
Before leaving Indonesia, my mother taught me how to cook simple dishes. Depending on the ingredients I have available, I can vary the flavors by quickly frying, frying rice, and making soup. Starting with these basic dishes, I quickly learned how to cook them to satisfy my taste buds. In the beginning I would only use ready-to-eat recipes that I brought from home, but now I can make a variety of Indonesian dishes from scratch. So don't give up trying. You may find a great way to reduce stress while cooking, which will also help you save money.
My Indonesian friend Tracey is studying for a doctorate in education at Oxford. She had a passion for cooking and turned that energy into a small business. Now she takes orders for festive Indonesian cakes - she's a great role model for me in cooking!
Going to dinner parties in the school canteen
In some of the older universities in the UK, e.g. At Oxford and Cambridge universities, students can wear formal attire or ceremonial robes to eat in their college restaurants. Since I live off campus, I don't eat there every day, but I do when I want a special dinner. Although the food there is very different from what you get back home, experiencing the tradition is an experience not to be missed. The Harry Potter-style dining room and pre-meal etiquette are special elements that I feel at our college's house dinners. It's also well worth it to get a three-course dinner at a subsidized price (as is the case at most colleges) compared to a local tour.
Attend international food festivals
Many universities and towns regularly hold international or regional food festivals. As a member of the Oxford Indonesian Students Union, I am sometimes invited to participate in food festivals with student societies from other countries and serve or sell food there. In addition to promoting the food culture of different countries, the food festival also brings together a lot of fun. By finding out about food events happening near you, you can not only find the cuisine of your hometown, but also explore the cuisine of the world.
Be adventurous (even if you have dietary restrictions)
When abroad, it is important to experience the culture of the country, and the food is no exception. One of the best things about living in the UK, especially around campus, is that there are so many great restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Although there are currently no Indonesian restaurants in Oxford, I have been to Malaysian, Thai and Chinese restaurants where the taste is similar to Indonesian. I also tried new flavors - Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian and British fish and chips. As a Muslim, I have limited options because of my desire to eat halal food. But vegetarian options are available in most restaurants. Not all restaurants advertise that they offer halal food, so ask the waiter! Restaurants in the UK do their best to accommodate people with food allergies, it is important to communicate your needs.