As a semester abroad closes for many, including myself, students studying abroad are beginning to reminisce about all the great memories they have. As a student studying in one of the food capitals of the world, Parma, Italy, food has been one of my favorite parts of this semester abroad. No matter who I ask in my program or anyone other college student I have met while abroad, they have all had a fabulous meal that was like nothing they have had at home. Here are some of the responses from students studying abroad for “The Best Thing They Have Ever Ate” (please try to refrain from salivating on your keyboard).
“Roasted veal with roasted vegetables cooked at ALMA Culinary School in Colorno, Italy. It was the first time I had veal and I fell in love!” – Nicole Radzilowicz, Boston College Class of 2014, studying at Universita degli Studi di Parma in Parma, Italy
“My favorite thing that I have had so far is a dessert called Pavlova. A friend’s grandmother made it for a group of us, so it was super authentic and homemade and DELICIOUS. It’s a meringue dessert with a crisp, sugary crust and soft, light inside, kind of like a fluffy marshmallow. That’s the best way I can describe it, but it tastes so good!” – Rebecca Nelson, Boston College Class of 2014, studying at University of Western Australia in Perth, Westeran Australia, Australia
“Nutella and banana crepes in Paris” – Ashley Nicole Dowd, Boston College Class of 2014, Studying at Complutense University in Madrid
“I have been struggling to find a good dish only because I am in China as a vegetarian, and all I can really eat is noodles and vegetables and tofu, and American food! All the classic dishes have meat. But last week in class we did Chinese cooking and I fell in love with this one tofu dish we made called Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐). It is a spicy tofu dish made with peppers, shallots, garlic sprouts, cayenne, and soy sauce.” – Rachael Cohen, Villanova University Class of 2014, studying with IES in Shanghai at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
“Fourme d’Ambert Salad (specific type of cheese + apples + walnuts + endives + red wine vinegar) in Paris at my host family’s and the Tarte tartin in Paris in the Latin Quarter” – Hensley Loeb, Boston College Class of 2014, studying in Paris
“Belgian chocolate gelato from Emilia Cremeria in Parma, Italy. They fill your cone with warm liquid chocolate, and the gelato is incredibly smooth and rich!” – Samantha Koss, Boston College Class of 2014, studying at Universita degli Studi di Parma in Parma, Italy
“Any and every sandwich from Pino’s. It is a delicious Panini shop in Florence.” – Sam DiBIccari, Belmont University Class of 2013, studying at FUA through SAI Program in Florence, Italy
“In Verona, I had pumpkin gnocchi with an amaretto butter sauce (there were crushed amaretto cookies in the sauce) and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten!” – Remy Hassett, Boston College Class of 2014, studying in Rome
“Risotto at OK Bar in Florence, Italy. There were so many risotto options to choose from. As someone with many allergies it was perfect because I could find something here!” – Maria Vellente, Boston College Class of 2014, studying at Universita degli Studi di Parma in Parma, Italy
“My favorite food has been Spanish tapas and paella in Barcelona with sangria.” – David Mitchell McShane, St. Mary’s College Class of 2014, studying at St. Mary’s in Alba, Italy
Personally, I have fallen in love with the food in every city I have visited. I have made it a mission to try the specialty of each city that I go to, and it has never failed. From the mulled wine in Prague, to sausages and pretzels in Munich, to Parma ham and parmigiano-reggiano cheese in Parma, to Sacher Torte (famous chocolate cake) in Vienna, to langos (fried crepes basically) in Budapest, I have always had a satisfied stomach. Although there are times that I am craving late night or really just want to be able to read a menu in English, I would never take back one bite I have had. For all those who are currently studying abroad, savor every last bite. And for those planning to study abroad in the future, bring an empty stomach (and pants that are maybe a size too big).
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http://www.santjordihostels.com/blog/the-best-paella-in-barcelona-1/