Food plays a significant role in the lives of Indian students studying abroad. It holds cultural, emotional, and practical significance for them. Here are some key aspects of how food impacts Indian students studying abroad:

1. Cultural Connection: From the Rogan Josh of Kashmir to the Appam of Kanyakumari, Indian cuisine is as diverse and rich in flavours as its people. This is why, for Indian students’ food serves as an important link to their homeland’s rich cultural heritage. Moreover, sharing Indian meals with fellow students can also foster a sense of community and belonging.
2. Comfort and Emotional Support: Imagine coming home to the comfort of your own bed after a long vacation. This same comfort is likely to elude those studying abroad. Being away from home can be emotionally challenging for many. Therefore, Indian students often find relief in the familiarity of their native food. Preparing or consuming traditional dishes can provide a sense of calm, and elevate the feelings of homesickness and isolation.
3. Nutritional Preferences: Every nation has their own cuisine and a certain way of preparing it. Some might be dominantly non-vegetarian or vice versa, and the food or its preparation might not agree with our stomachs. Many Indian students follow different dietary preferences for cultural, religious, or personal reasons as well. In such a scenario, knowing about the basic dishes and their ingredients goes a long way in keeping both your stomach full and your body healthy.
4. Cooking and Independence: Independence and preparation is the first step to success, no matter what we do. A sense of accomplishment bolsters these feelings and in turn, improves our mental health. Cooking is one of the hardest things in the world to do, and doing it well on your own provides this same sense of accomplishment. In this way, cooking evolves from being a life skill to something akin to meditation that can help relieve stress and foster self-reliance in a foreign environment.
5. Intercultural Exchange: Exploring local cuisines and dining with friends from different cultures can be an exciting part of the international student experience. It offers Indian students a great opportunity to share their own food and culture with others while learning about theirs as well.
6. Celebrating Festivals and Occasions: Festivals are intertwined with Indian religions and are a way for different communities to come together and celebrate each other. Naturally, food becomes a big part of these festivities. In fact, there are several regional dishes that are cooked especially during a particular festival as well. Though students abroad might miss out on celebrating these festivals on occasion with their families, preparing traditional dishes and celebrating with their new-found friends will certainly help in recreating the festive spirit!

Travelling to a different country, be it for education or for any other purpose, is a daunting task. The possibility of not adapting to an entirely different way of life may seem like a very real scenario, but it is not something that will ever come to pass. With the spread of the Indian diaspora across the world, students going abroad will never have to worry about losing touch with their roots or feeling out of place.

What defines Indians is our adaptability and our ability to be neighbourly – and food goes a long way in achieving both these things. So, whenever you feel down and alone, simply follow your nose to that delicious aroma of Indian food, and you will be home.