Lillie Heise, Global Health in Spain Summer 2025
Food played a major role in shaping my experience during the Global Health in Spain program. In Málaga and Barcelona I found food to be more than just nourishment, but a window into the culture and lifestyle of Spain. I loved trying new dishes like tapas, paella, churros, and fresh seafood by the beach. One thing that stood out to me was how they take their time during meals and value the experience of a meal. Lunch and dinners are often a couple hours long and not rushed like it is in the States. It allowed us to really enjoy the food and savor it as well as enjoy each other’s companies. In Spain I found myself eating fewer processed foods without even trying. The Mediterranean diet is rich in olive oil, fish, cheeses, legumes, and fresh produce. Even the simple tapas meals had balance and variety. It showed me how cultural food habits can positively influence population health and how their diet relates to prevention in their healthcare approach.Â
We spent a brief time in Morocco, and it opened my eyes to different food traditions. We took part in a cooking class and made homemade bread and tagine chicken. It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. We got to work with local ingredients, use traditional methods, and then sit down together and enjoy what we made. The class was instructed by a few different women, but they used the recipes and strategies from this older woman who had been cooking this meal all her life. It felt we were part of something that had been done the same way for generations.
Trying new foods and learning how they are made along with sharing them with others gave me a deeper appreciation for each place we visited. Food helped me feel connected to the culture and understand the different cultures in a deeper way. It made me think more deeply how the diet and nutrition approach is so different then the states, and how in the U.S. we often lack the nutritious factors important to health. It showed me how we need to slow down and enjoy the moment, and not take meals for granted.
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