Studying abroad is a great experience, but for many vegetarians traveling overseas it can be challenging especially if you don’t speak the language. While some foods may not appear to be made with meat, it can be difficult to tell whether your food was cooked with animal products such as a meat-based broth.
If you are a vegetarian, preparation before your trip is crucial to a successful trip. 
The first step is to research your destination country and learn about their food preparation customs. For example, if you are traveling to India you may soon find out that there is a wide variety of vegetarian options since it has the largest population of vegetarians in the world. Check out other countries that are vegetarian friendly. On the other hand, traveling to a country like Argentina is one of the world’s top meat consuming countries. If you’ll be in a similar situation, be prepared to explain to the restaurant staff your dietary restrictions.
Before boarding your flight, make sure you’ve inform the airline of your dietary restrictions as well. Most airlines have special vegetarian and vegan food options as long as you order this in advance of your flight.
Now that the easy part is over, you’ve landed in your destination and don’t know the language. This is where early preparation comes in handy! You should prepare a few essential phases to describe your dietary needs as sometimes the word “vegetarian” doesn’t translate especially if vegetarianism is a small minority. You may also find that having a good dictionary or phase book can also be helpful.
Some people may think that studying abroad as a vegetarian means that eating at a restaurant will be difficult. To make life easier, there are websites like HappyCow.net which lists vegetarian-friendly restaurants around the world along with customer reviews.
And, of course, the best way to be sure you know what you are eating is to make it yourself! If you are studying abroad and have access to a kitchen, it’s time to brush up on your cooking skills. Not sure what a certain food is called? Ask your fellow shoppers – walking around a grocery store is a great way to meet locals and improve your language skills! Studying abroad as a vegetarian doesn’t have to limit your experience, but rather it can be an extension of your international education.
Category: Health & Safety Abroad
