Going abroad on a work or study placement through the Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme programmes is one of the most incredible experiences you’ll have in life. As well as gaining a multitude of useful skills to use throughout life, enhancing your qualifications and boosting career prospects, a placement abroad allows you to live like a local, in a new city. Part of doing that is trying new things – including food. Every country has its own way of cooking, and no two countries are exactly the same. So, be brave and indulge your tastebuds in new cuisine. Here are our top dishes to try depending on where you’re traveling to. We wish you Bon Appetit!
When you travel to England, especially around the coastal areas, you can’t avoid the many fish and chip restaurants (or “chippies” as they’re known as locally). Fish and chips are a staple – often served in old newspapers as well and doused in salt and vinegar, or with HP sauce (a brown sauce) and tomato ketchup. Try it in deep batter and have a side of mushy peas as well. The best fried fish in England is either haddock, cod or a lemon sole. Delicious!
This dish is not for everyone but still a very popular Scottish dish, haggis is made of sheep intestines and blended with oatmeal, onion, spice, salt and suet. While it doesn’t sound very delicious, actually it is packed with flavour and it’s also a hearty meal – especially good to enjoy during the cold winter months. It’s served with mash potato and gravy. Scots eat it for breakfast or deep fried. If you’re in Scotland for Burns Night, then you’ll find it widely served (and washed down with Scot’s whisky).
An Irish stew is just what you want to eat when it’s cold and rainy in Ireland and you won’t be disappointed. This wholesome and healthy dish is just chunks of lamb casserole, slow cooked with onions, carrots, mushrooms, parsley and served with a large helping of creamy mash potato and gravy. It is really tasty and filling, perfect to keep you full all afternoon long. Drink it with a pint of Guinness to really get all the flavour!
Belgium is well-known for its frites (French Fries), often served with lashings of mayonnaise and you can normally pick up a bag of frites on most street corners. However, enter a restaurant and feast on steak frites, which is steak served with Belgium frites. Enjoy your Belgian steak with a peppercorn or Béarnaise sauce and don’t forget to dip your frites too (unless you prefer to eat them with mayonnaise). Wash your steak and frites down with a glass of Belgian beer and if you dare, try one of their famous flavoured beers, fantastic!
It’s difficult to write about just one, national dish in Italy as the country is famous for its pizza, pasta, Tiramisu, ice cream and really, pretty much anything! However, pizza in Italy is usually the best you’ll ever eat, with the thinnest, crustiest and crunchiest base, topped with a multitude of exceptional flavours. A buffalo mozzarella pizza has to be a must-eat, as the mozzarella in Italy is the best in the world, it’s so creamy and dreamy. The Neapolitan pizza, which is mozzarella and fresh tomato sauce cannot be beaten and if you’re in Rome, try a Pizza Bianca, which is a white pizza – meaning it’s served without tomato sauce. Dip it in olive oil to truly make the most of this Roman delicacy.
Spain also has many fabulous national dishes but one that you won’t escape wherever you go in this colourful country is Paella. A rice-based dish, it’s often served with seafood (prawns, shrimps, mussels etc – the Paella der Marisco) but you can get vegetarian versions too. Rice is cooked in a frying pan with the seafood or other ingredients (such as Chorizo for example) and served hot. Have your Spanish paella with another national favourite, Sangria – an alcoholic drink made with red wine, fresh fruit and plenty of ice to keep it perfectly chilled.
If you like skiing then there’s nothing better Après Ski than a pot of cheese fondue, with pieces of bread on long sticks, dip the bread in the melted cheese and savour the flavour! There’s a sweet version too – with milk or dark chocolate and pieces of fruit. Another side dish to have with your cheese fondue is Rosti – a fried potato rather like hash browns (an American favourite!). Just watch you don’t burn your mouth on the fondue – the cheese can get quite hot in its fondue pot.
America is known for fast-food, and the hamburger has to be one of the most famous of all fast food! Grab and go anywhere in the USA and load yours up with cheese (cheeseburger), pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, a sesame seed bun and served with a side of slim French Fries. Or – go larger with chunky fries and don’t forget some deep-fried onion rings. Wash it down with a Diet Coke of course, or try the nation’s other favourite, Dr Pepper.
Find out what an Erasmus+ or Turing Scheme placement could bring you (apart from delicious tasting dishes) and get in touch with our team to discover what we can do to make your work or study mobility abroad everything you’ve dreamt of!