There are many aspects of a study abroad experience to consider when you are someone living with dietary restrictions. Restrictions can range from allergies, a chronic condition, religious guidelines, personal choice, and more. Regardless, you should be prepared for how to handle your diet when in a country with different food and customs, as well as a potential language barrier. Traveling with dietary restrictions may be difficult at times, but it is made much easier by conducting research beforehand and setting realistic expectations for yourself.

One of the biggest things you should be aware of before going abroad is that all countries refer to dietary restrictions in a different way. It is very possible that you will experience miscommunication with locals regarding your diet during your time abroad. One way to help minimize these incidents is to research your host country in advance and learn how to express yourself according to their culture and language. Translation cards can help with this and are a great resource for interactions with host families, restaurants, street food vendors, and more. These are especially useful if you are not familiar with the language of your host country. Below, we outline more information and advice related to dietary needs based on specific dietary factors.

Allergies

When traveling with severe allergies you may need to seriously think about things such as the local availability of medications, especially if your allergy requires an epipen. Epipens are not always possible to get filled in another country, so you will want to check and see if there is a pharmacy in your host city and if so, what the cost would be. It is also possible you will need to access an epipen multiple times during your program, so be prepared and make sure someone around you knows how to use it if necessary. You should also locate the nearest hospital in case of an emergency. In addition, you may want to research the ingredients found in the popular or common foods of your host country. For example, shellfish and fish are very common in Japanese cuisine.

Chronic Conditions

If you suffer from a chronic condition such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis (IBD), Celiac Disease, or Diabetes, there are several things you will want to consider before traveling. First, make absolute sure you can obtain your needed medication(s) in your host country, or be prepared to take enough with you for the entire duration of your program. Second, recognize that traveling abroad and experiencing a new culture can be stressful, even given the best circumstances. As many gastrointestinal disorders can be triggered by stress, we encourage you to consider this in your planning and take stock of your own stress and stress reducers. Lastly, you will want to consider your access to a bathroom. Many countries have limited public restrooms and some are accessible only by paying. Carefully plan your travels in advance and make sure you have a backup plan wherever you go.

Religion

Even if your religion and religious practices are not widespread in the country you are visiting, following a Halal, Kosher, or other diet while traveling is easier than ever with websites like Have Halal Will Travel, Halal Trip, and Kosher Without Borders. These can be used to find restaurants in the local area that work for you. We also encourage you to review the information in the Religion & Spirituality section of our website if you want to learn more about traveling and religion.

Personal Choice

As with any dietary restriction, as someone who has chosen not to eat certain foods you need to set expectations for yourself while abroad. It is possible that where you are going, vegan, vegetarian, pescetarian, etc. lifestyles are not practiced by many people. Some locals may have never even heard these terms. You will also want to consider how comfortable you are explaining your lifestyle choices to those around you, including but not limited to your host family, program director, and peers. Apps like Happy Cow and Veggoagogo Vegetarian Travel will be very useful for you in choosing where to eat out and how to communicate your restrictions to others.

Regardless of the reasons behind your dietary restrictions, some questions to ask yourself as you prepare to study abroad include:

  • Can the airline I am traveling on accommodate my dietary needs? If not, how will I prepare for this?
  • Will groceries in my host country be in a different language, or called by a different name? Will the same ingredients I have at home be available?
  • How will I express my needs to local restaurants, street vendors, grocery stores, or my host family?
  • What are common allergens found in the local food?
  • Does my host country understand my lifestyle? Is the way they describe my diet different, for example, does it have a different name?
  • Will I be willing to sacrifice eating out if no options are available for me?
  • Will it be possible for me to cook my own meals in the housing I will have?
  • Will I have easy and quick access to a bathroom while traveling?
  • Will I be able to refill medications and supplies like epipens and insulin abroad, or will I need to take enough for the whole program?

If you have specific dietary needs, we encourage you to notify your program director and/or Study Abroad Advisor in advance, although this is not required. You are also welcome to contact us if you have concerns while abroad. Additionally, we encourage you to consult the resources listed below to help prepare for your experience.