If you have never set foot in the kitchen and are worried about your semester abroad, this blog is for you! Many students who go abroad have never cooked in their lives. Before moving to Florence, my mom gave me a cooking intensive course, and I’m going to give all the tips coming from a Mexican former chef mom.

Grocery Shopping 101

To start, you first need to know what to buy and where to buy it. Since I’ve been living in Florence for two months, my best recommendation is to go to the nearest Coop if you’re going to buy your food at a supermarket.  It’s cheaper than others and very well stocked. If you are not living in Florence you can do a little research on the best supermarket.My roommates and I made the best decision to buy a cart to carry our groceries. Believe me, you are going to love having one when you have to walk back home. If you don’t want to go to the supermarket, I recommend buying everything you can at the market. SAI has a few activities during orientation week where they take you to the market and really help you learn how to shop like a local. This is a great way to get started on learning how to survive in your term abroad.

As a second tip, once you’re at the supermarket, I highly recommend buying things that are easy to cook and don’t spoil quickly. It’s a good idea to have things you can just pop in the microwave or air fryer in case you don’t have the time or energy to cook something more complicated one day. I really like buying frozen vegetables because they last longer, are good quality, and taste great. I also make sure I have basic items like salt, pepper, oil, and sugar.  Making a list at home before might help to save some time at the supermarket and work on your budget. 

Easy Meals That Always Work

It’s never too late to learn! If you don’t have anyone at home to teach you how to cook, blogs and YouTube are your best tools, and even TikTok can be helpful. Learn how to make rice, pasta, eggs, and cook your favorite meat. That’s enough to make a million variations. If you have a lot of free time one day, take advantage of it to experiment and make recipes that you really want to try but have always been afraid to. Stop scrolling though tik tok for a while and go help your mom in the kitchen. Hands-on experiences are the best way to learn.

This blog is your first step on learning how to survive. So ill leave you a helpful tip to get you started with something

To prepare rice, the key is to wash it first. Then you can chop some onion and garlic and fry it a little to taste. Over medium heat, add the rice and let it become transparent. Once it looks good, add the packet of water you measured out for the rice and turn the heat up high. Be sure to season the water, as this will affect the flavor of the rice. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible and cover the pot. Then, it’s just a matter of checking and tasting it. It’s that easy to make rice, and you can combine it with a million different things. 

Whatever you want to learn to cook, the internet can teach you. Take advantage of this tool as much as you can and don’t be afraid to fail.

Clean-Up 

For me, one of the most important steps in cooking is cleaning. I know it can be tedious, but it’s very important. Cleaning not only helps your health, but it also helps you grow as a person and become more independent and responsible. Something that works for me is washing as I go. For example, while the rice is cooking, I can wash things. Other strategies that many students use are taking turns with their roommates or dividing up the work. It’s important to check the refrigerator at least once a week to make sure nothing has gone bad and to keep it clean. 

It may sound boring, but it’s essential. Put on some music, watch your favorite TV show, or chat with your roommates while you clean, and you’ll see how the task feels easier. My roommates and I have a rule to clean together once a week, and we’ve turned it into a ritual. We all like to wear our pajamas and play music on the speakers. Cleaning becomes entertaining instead of exhausting.

Benefits Of Cooking Your Own Meals  

Cooking at home is not only cheaper, but it also helps you stay healthy and can even be fun once you get the hang of it. You’re in a new place, so explore the country’s culinary culture. Ask locals for recipes and turn it into a social activity. It’s also a great way to socialize: cook with friends, exchange recipes from your countries, or organize a small dinner party. You’ll create memories and save money.

You don’t need to become a chef to survive your study abroad experience, you just need to know how to feed yourself without setting the kitchen on fire or poisoning your roommates. Don’t be afraid of asking whenever you don’t know something or want to learn something new. Start small, keep it simple, and remember that every experience helps you grow as a person.

Written by: Ximena, Fall 2025 Florence student from St. Edwards University