Food = Yum

May 25, 2016

Finally, here comes the blog on essentially the most important thing- FOOD! Thankfully, I am completing my dialogue in a city in a developed country which means I have so many options for food. I’ve had everything from Mediterranean to British to American and fast food, with everything else in between! Meals here in the UK are smaller in portion size than in the United States. Food also tends to be a tad bit more expensive here, but then again everything is expensive here! I find that the meal times here are very similar to the meal times in America. However, the structure of your meal might be different depending on whether you get a one, two or three course meal and dependent if you stay or take-away your meal.

Currently, I tend to eat most of my breakfast in my suite. Usually some eggs and bacon or pre-made pancakes from the local grocery store, Marks and Spencer’s. If I do not eat here, I go to the local starbucks and get a drink and a pastry before class! For lunch, there is a really cost-efficient “Sandwich Shop” around the corner from the University’s Campus. They sell falafels, burritos, paninis, and hot food. I usually get the Chicken curry with rice because it is delicious and also curry is England’s adopted national dish. My lunch usually only cost me around 4 pounds, which is pretty cheap here. Dinner is usually also cooked by me or my roommate in our suite or we go out to the pub and grab some classic bar food, usually accompanied with a nice, cold drink. There are always other options if I’m missing home such as Subways, McDonald’s, KFC, and Pret, but it hasn’t really come down to that yet!

Other than that, the other best places to go for food are the markets! There are so many different kinds of markets that are located in so many different areas! There are new things at a single market everyday. There is always bread for sale, along with pastry items. There is also usually a lot of fresh local fruit in this country which I have been taking advantage of. Of course, there is also a designated area for food merchants to come with hot food ready to sell! My favorite food thus far, has been a Paella with Chorizo that I bought from a cafe here at Borough Market by the London Bridge. I could go on about this topic all day, but I’ll end it here hoping that I didn’t make anyone too hungry. The food here is so worthwhile and I know I will miss it so much when I have to leave, so I better make it count while I can, right?

**All accompanying pictures from borough market**

Written By

Tyra Dukes

As a nursing major, it is very hard to squeeze in some study abroad due to my intensive curriculum. So a dialogue of civilizations was a win-win for me. I would have the ability to travel and immerse myself in a different civilization while also getting ahead on some major requirements. Both of which will help my professional career. I think it is important for everyone to be globally conscious but most importantly, health care professionals. At some point in my life, I will work with someone from a different culture so it is important that I understand, how to be culturally competent. That main skill is what I am most looking forward to from this dialogue.