Food Allergies Abroad
Studying Abroad with Food Allergies
Traveling anywhere with a food allergy can feel intimidating but with the right resources and support you can have an amazing overseas experience allergy-free! You must share your food allergies with your study abroad or exchange program advisor before your trip so they can best support your needs, share resources, and alert overseas partners. Please see below for some helpful tips and tricks for traveling with food allergies.
Traveling anywhere with a food allergy can feel intimidating but with the right resources and support you can have an amazing overseas experience allergy-free! You must share your food allergies with your study abroad or exchange program advisor before your trip so they can best support your needs, share resources, and alert overseas partners. Please see below for some helpful tips and tricks for traveling with food allergies.
- Do your research:
- Every country has its own unique food culture and customs. It is imperative that you do your research on local cuisine and dining etiquette so you can better understand what you can expect and will need to ask for. Knowing food norms before you go will help you acclimate to your new home better and you'll feel safer eating out which is an important part of any study abroad experience.
- Learn Important Language:
- Language barriers can make any aspect of travel challenging, especially when dining with allergies. It can be incredibly beneficial to learn simple phrases in your host country's language like "Is this gluten-free" or "Does this item contain peanuts" can go a long way. While English is largely spoken and understood abroad, knowing a few key phrases in another language could make the difference between a tasty dinner out and an allergic reaction.
- We always recommend students come prepared with allergy cards. Allergy cards will clearly state your allergies on a handy card in other languages for you to share with restaurants when ordering. It is recommended you bring a few with you in different languages (think about where you might be traveling). Equal Eats is a company that makes cards for a large variety of allergies and special diets.
- Always Bring Medication:
- Always travel prepared with medications you may need. Make sure to bring Benadryl and/or Epi-Pens in case of reactions. If you use an Epi-Pen make sure your travel companions know the signs of a reaction and how to use one in case you're not able to.
- Come Prepared with Safe Snacks:
- Unfortunately, there may be times when you're traveling when you really can't find food you can eat. It is helpful if you come prepared with some pre-packaged snacks you know you can safely eat to hold you over until you can find an allergen-free meal.
- Familiarize Yourself with Emergency Protocols:
- In case of an allergic reaction, you need to know the emergency protocol at your host institution and who can help you. When in doubt contact International SOS for emergency medical support.