As an international student preparing to study in the United States, you might be a bit concerned about adjusting to the American way of eating. And, if you haven’t ever eaten typical American food, you might wonder where you can find food you are accustomed to from your home country.

Have no fear: A new and major trend on campuses is an increased customer interest in the history and origin of food—and this includes providing more cultural choices to students, according to the National Association of College and University Food Services.

Missing Food from Home

U.S. colleges and universities are putting an emphasis on creating layers with more flavor and ethnic meals, which in turn creates many more ethnically authentic and diverse choices. If you are from the Mediterranean area or Asia, you’re in luck—these flavors dominate the market while popular flavors from South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico are rising in campus cafeterias.

If you come from a country that doesn’t eat a lot of meat—or any at all—there’s no need for concern. A recent study done by the ARAMARK Corporation, an international company specializing in foodservices, found that 24 percent of students indicated that vegan options on campuses were important to them. This means that colleges and universities across the country now provide vegetarian and vegan students with more options than just salad.

Learning about U.S. Cuisine

If you are completely new to the American cuisine or want to understand it better, here’s some info:

• Breakfast: This is the first meal of the day. Most college students grab a quick bite before they head off to their first class, usually something light like a bowl of cereal, yogurt, toast, or fruit. Coffee, juice, and milk are popular beverage choices for what Americans call “the most important meal of the day.”
• Lunch: This meal is usually eaten between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meals range from a slice of pizza to a sandwich. Popular choices also include “soup and salad” combos. Check your campus dining hall to see if they offer salad bar selections.
• Dinner: This final meal of the day, and often the largest, tends to be eaten between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pasta, chicken and mashed potatoes, hamburgers, and fish are usual menu toppers. Most meals include fruits and vegetables, and something sweet (like a piece of cake or scoop of ice cream) for dessert.

Local Markets and Grocery Stores

If you are still having trouble finding your favorite meal from home, look for local markets or grocery stores that specializes in international produce and foods, which are common in the U.S. Because the United States is a giant melting pot of cultures finding a store, restaurant, or market that has what you are looking for is typically a painless task. You might decide to try something new!