Even though many of us will partake in traditional Thanksgiving meals this week, many of Methodist University’s students come from all over the world— 50 different countries and six continents— each carrying a different story when it comes to food.
Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, gravy, cranberries and pumpkin pie are some of the dishes we look forward to each Thanksgiving.
Even though many of us will partake in traditional Thanksgiving meals this week, many of Methodist University’s students come from all over the world— 50 different countries and six continents— each carrying a different story when it comes to food. We found it only fitting to learn more about some of our international students’ favorite meals from back home. Below, you’ll find a small sample:
Brice Briclandji ’24
Major: Graphic Design
Home country: Haiti
Favorite food: Haitian Legume
“Haitian legume is a dish with rice, beans, vegetables, and lots of meats. It’s really unique. I’ve seen a lot of dishes, but I’ve never seen something like legume. There’s some dishes that come close to it, but they don’t make it the way we make it. It’s food from home so nothing beats it.”
Astridah Lombe ’23
Major: Financial Economics
Home country: Zambia
Favorite food: Chikanda
“Chikanda is a snack from back home that’s made from a tuber of Chikanda orchids. The small-sized tuber is dried and pounded and then mixed with a thick mixture of peanuts and fry chili peppers. Due to its meat-like consistency, it’s often referred to as an African polony, a type of sausage. It’s my favorite food because it tastes like meat even though it’s 100% plant based.”
Mlandvo Maphalala ’23
Major: Computer Science
Home country: Eswatini
Favorite food: Inkuhku Yasemakhaya
“Ikhuku Yasemakhaya is one of my favorite meals. It’s a boiled chicken stew that’s made with chicken predominantly found in farms from rural parts of the country. The meat from this chicken is tougher, but extremely flavorful. It requires patience since it is boiled for hours, creating a broth that’s used to cook the chicken even further. I love this dish because it reminds me of home since my mother would always prepare this dish for my family.”
Victor Sobun ’24
Major: Computer Information Technology
Home country: South Sudan
Favorite food: Fufu and goat meat
“It’s a popular West African dish and it’s the first thing I go for when I go back home. It reminds me of family because back home, we come together and eat together. Fufu and goat meat brings back a lot of home memories of eating with my family.”
Geraldo Sibinde ’24
Major: Nursing
Home country: Maputo
Favorite food: Matapa
“One of my favorite foods is matapa accompanied with regular white rice that’s cooked only with water. Matapa is a dish prepared from cassava leaves. After washing them, we grind the leaves with some garlic. Then, we add it to a pot, let it boil on high heat, add peanut extract, onions and salt, and when the color changes from dark green to light green with black edges—it’s ready. It tastes so good. I like matapa because I can only eat it at home and when you reheat it the next day, it tastes way better. It’s such a big part of my childhood.”
Fadhl Al-Names ’24
Major: Business Analytics
Home country: Yemen
Favorite food: Haneeth
“Haneeth combines rice and meat, but there’s a particular way to cook the entire meal. I haven’t had haneeth since I was back home. But it’s very unique because its comes from the city I lived. When people outside of the city try it, they instantly love it. It’s my favorite food ever.”
Methodist University is proud to offer a Global Education Office to our international students. We invite you to learn more by visiting the Global Education Office website.