Michelle Satchell, Comparative Healthcare in Graz, Summer 2026
Food played a major part in my 4 week long experience studying abroad. The first change I noticed was while traveling. I had a layover in Germany where I purchased a bottled drink and noticed the cap would not come off. That was a pivotal event, even though it may seem like a small change. It made me excited to see what else was to come.
During my stay, breakfast was provided through the hotel, the majority of lunch was provided by the program, and dinner was for the students to figure out.
The first hotel had a Frühstücksbuffet, otherwise known as a self-serve style breakfast. It included a variety of deli meats, bread, hard-boiled eggs, fruit and yogurt. Deli meats had never been something I ate for breakfast, so adjusting to eating them every morning before class was different, but I became accustomed to it.
For lunch, we mostly ate at the partnering universities’ cafeterias where we experienced meals that the students would eat daily. Sometimes the protein
would be chicken and other times it would be veal.
For dinner, I got to try meals that felt familiar but had a different twist to them. With long days and a lot of walking, food was crucial as a source of energy, especially during the summer. I noticed that many of the foods I ate did not leave me feeling overly sick or tired when I ate a lot. I also noticed that my skin had fewer breakouts and I felt more satiated.
Trying local foods such as schnitzel, eating from a Buschenschank, and trying strudels was an eye-opening experience. Food can be a bonding tool between family, friends, and even strangers. Trying traditional foods and seeing locals get excited to explain and share what they liked helped me feel more comfortable during my stay. It also helped me bond with my classmates as we shared our experiences and thoughts while trying new foods and visiting new restaurants.
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