As an international student living away from home for almost five years, staying connected to my roots has been a challenge, especially in places where the community from that country is small. Homesickness is very common in these situations and can really take a toll on your mental health.
Here’s how I fight homesickness: Food.
Finding a restaurant that makes food from your country can be a great connection to your roots. It not only reconnects you with the flavors you grew up with but also introduces you to others who share your background, from the employees who can make your favorite foods to visitors who enjoy the culture as much as you do. It allows for eating foods your family made that you cannot make yourself while providing a safe environment in which to speak your native language.
Milonga Argentinian Bakery: My home away from home.
So what’s Milonga?
Milonga is an Argentinian bakery located about 10 minutes away from the Institute. It’s a family business managed by two generations of Argentinians who came to the United States over 20 years ago. They make everything from scratch in the kitchen, from bread to pastries to empanadas.
Showing It To My Classmates
Helping relieve homesickness is not the only good thing about finding a fantastic restaurant. It can be an excellent opportunity to show your classmates a bit of your culture and make a pleasant visit out of it! Who’s gonna say no to trying a new cuisine?
Milonga has become a lunchtime staple for my friends and me, and every time we go, a new person joins us to try the “famous Milonga” everyone talks about.
The struggle to cook food from home
If you have lived in a country that’s not your own, you know the struggle starts when it is time to get the ingredients. Although sometimes you can find an ingredient online, these are usually highly overpriced or even impossible to find.
Finding a restaurant that can cook those meals for you and has access to the best ingredients means enjoying those flavors from home you could not recreate.
WHAT I ORDER: My go-to dishes
Now, if the mention of pastries made your mouth water, here are some recommendations from Milonga that you should try:
- Cañoncitos de Dulce de Leche: A staple for my IAA classmates, cañoncitos are pastries filled with dulce de leche in the shape of a cylinder, therefore the name “Cañoncito” or little canon.
- Empanadas: Empanadas are a great option if you want a quick lunch or a small salty snack. Depending on your preference, these pastries are filled with chicken, beef, or spinach.
- Flan: A custard dessert with a layer of clear caramel sauce. Milonga’s might even be better than my grandma’s flan (sorry, grandma!).
Pro Tip: Grab a jar of Dulce de Leche from Amazon or Milonga if available, and add it to your flan.
Find your Comfort Zone
Whether an international student or just a few states away from home, finding a welcoming and familiar environment can ease your homesickness and help you build new connections. Seek out those places that remind you of home, and don’t be afraid to share them with others—it’s a small step that can make a big difference in your journey.
Columnist: Gina Barbagallo