What’s It Like to Study Abroad If You Have Dietary Restrictions?

Through comprehensive pre-departure processes and on-program support, CIEE is committed to ensuring that students with dietary needs feel safe, cared for, and at ease while studying abroad. 

However, it’s understandable that some high school students with specific dietary requirements may still hesitate to join a teen summer travel program—worried about whether they’ll be able to fully engage and enjoy themselves. 

Last summer, Cailyn K., 15, participated in CIEE’s Arabic Language & Culture program in Rabat, and Masha P.,15, joined the Spanish Language & Argentinian Culture program in Buenos Aires. We asked them to share their experiences studying abroad while navigating dietary needs. 

Here’s what they had to say: 

CIEE: Before you went abroad, did you have any questions or concerns about traveling with allergies? If so, what did you do to manage them? 

Cailyn: When traveling abroad I was mildly concerned about things like my allergies or asthma. I made sure to inform my Program Leader and communicate with my host family the best way I knew how to. I also made sure to take my medication daily and to keep it on me all the time. If I suspected things had nuts in it that I was allergic to, I would simply not eat just to be safe. 

Masha: I obviously had some concerns—mostly about my host family being accommodating as well as not being able to try certain cultural foods that I was excited about. However, the strategy that I adopted worked pretty well—I decided to do everything I could on my part to ensure smooth travelling and stop worrying about the rest, which isn’t under my control. I knew that the CIEE staff was aware of my allergies, so I felt safer because of that. Some questions came up during travel that were impossible to predict beforehand, so one piece of advice I can give on that front is to be open and flexible, because realistically, you can’t know what will arise. 

CIEE: When you arrived on program, how were your allergies supported by CIEE and your host family? 

Cailyn: When we arrived on our first day, we were interviewed by our Program Leaders about any preexisting allergies or conditions, and throughout the trip, they ensured there were allergy-safe options for all of us who had them when on group trips or excursions. My homestay made sure not to put anything with nuts on the table for dinner or breakfast and informed me about foods that may contain nuts when we were out. 

Masha: I was really lucky to have a very accommodating and kind host mom, who ensured that everything was okay. She made sure to let me know if a certain food she prepared had something I was allergic to and assured me multiple times that if anything happens, she is prepared for a situation like that. While I’m not sure if all CIEE staff knew about my allergies, every day they provided plenty of options for lunch and were more than happy to explain the ingredients in some foods for me. 

CIEE: How did you self-advocate and self-manage your allergies while on program? 

Cailyn: During my program, I always stayed vigilant and always asked questions and informed anyone that would listen about my allergies. 

Masha: Because my language level was great, I could easily communicate with locals, which made asking about allergies and ingredients a lot easier. I think the thing you have to be aware of is that no one is a mind reader, and that you have to advocate for yourself for your own sake. Even if it does seem scary at first, this is about your health — which is super important. The locals in the country where I was staying (Argentina) were all very understanding. All of those factors combined into one single advice I can give incoming students—talk about your allergies when you need to, because the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Ask the waiters about the food you’re about to receive, talk to market sellers, to shopkeepers—it simultaneously ensures your safety, and is also a good opportunity to practice your language skills and connect with the locals! However, also know that everyone can make mistakes—language barriers, things lost in translation, simple ignorance—they all can lead to unwanted allergic reactions, so make sure to carry plenty of allergy medication with you! 

CIEE: Were there any issues you expected to come up [regarding your health] that ultimately did not? 

Cailyn: I knew that Morocco had a lot of cats, and I have a serious pet dander allergy, but while I was there, I didn’t experience any allergic reactions in relation to cats. I also was concerned about my asthma and the air quality, but while I was there, I could actually breathe so much better than in the U.S. 

Masha: Surprisingly, I didn’t get any allergic reactions—I was pretty careful about what I ate. Also, people made an effort to tell me if something contained my allergens. 

CIEE: Did anything unexpected arise regarding your health?   

Cailyn: Yes, I had really bad breakouts on my skin, particularly my face. I have eczema that doesn’t really flare up, but Morocco had very hard tap water that dried my skin and lips very bad. 

Masha: Nothing surprising happened. 

CIEE: What advice would you give other students studying abroad with allergies? 

Cailyn: I would say, bring your medicine and always, always, always keep it on you. Create a plan for if you do suffer from an allergic reaction while on your trip. More importantly, be sure to advocate for yourself and ask questions, if you think something may have an allergen in it, don’t eat it, save yourself. 

Masha: I think the biggest advice I could give someone is—hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Advocate for yourself, talk to people about your allergies, stock up on medication if you need it — but also don’t forget to enjoy new foods! It’s always good to be cautious, but in order to reduce your worries, do your research beforehand—search up some popular foods and their ingredients at your program location. It’s not only a responsible thing to do, but it also allows you to connect with the culture a little bit before your departure. Safe travels! 

Dietary Needs Are Accommodated When Studying Abroad With CIEE 

All CIEE Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad programs include safe and comfortable housing, with three meals a day that accommodate your unique dietary requirements.  

If you’d like to talk about your specific dietary needs and how we’ll support you on program, schedule a call with a CIEE Enrollment Coordinator in your area for personalized help!