The beautiful view at sunset from our balcony in Prague. 

If you’re nervous about roommates, I understand. Although I knew Ella before going abroad, I wasn’t sure how living with her would go. We couldn’t be more different in our lifestyles, especially our morning routines. She’s up at 7:00 AM at the latest every day, while I’m typically pushing snooze as long as possible…. On top of that, I wasn’t sure how I could bond with my other roommates. They already knew each other from their respective programs at school, and Holly’s other best friend, Max, was also studying abroad, so they were already a friend group. I was nervous as I have never been so far from home and I’ve only left the U.S. twice prior to coming to the Czech Republic as opposed to my friend group who had all studied abroad for a semester before. I wasn’t sure how to befriend everyone or fit in. Luckily, my roommates, Max and I all have one true love: food. 

Two of my roommates, Holly and Bella, pictured making pancakes for dinner. 

At my apartment in Delaware, my roommates and I all cook for ourselves, and we rarely share food. I liked my routine of prepping one meal to eat throughout the week and labeling my snacks. On top of that, I don’t even like sharing food! That’s what I was used to, but as it goes with studying abroad in a new country, habits change, and you try to adapt to the culture.  

In the Czech Republic, people typically do small grocery runs every day and don’t “meal prep” like I do in the US. This was so out of the ordinary to me, so I wanted to go grocery shopping with my roommates before I went by myself. We decided one night to cook dinner together after grocery shopping because then we would have to buy fewer items.  

All of our plates at the table (specifically our chicken fried rice dish). 

A tradition quickly formed of having weekly “family dinner”. Family dinner nights typically begin with one person suggesting a meal and offering to cook. All of us stand around the kitchen, helping when needed, and listening to our favorite artists like Billy Joel and the Lumineers. 

Our kitchen is too small for everyone to eat at the table, with our cramped walkway and missing chairs, so we craft a makeshift dining room in Holly and Bella’s room. The room is spacious with a lovely balcony and a beautiful overview of the streets of Prague. Our recipes range from breakfast for dinner (pancakes, French toast and crepes) to a chicken stir fry. Sometimes, we order food in, like personal pizzas, and we still all sit together for our meal. There’s a bouquet of pink and white baby’s breath as our table’s centerpiece as we all fix ourselves a plate.  

Me holding the French toast I made for family dinner. 

After dinner, a person who did less cooking or prep cleans dishes and moves the table back to the kitchen. Most nights, we go downstairs to the mini market right next to our apartment to buy a small dessert to have after we’ve eaten. It’s the perfect way to end a perfect meal. 

The act of breaking bread together, sharing a meal, is a forgotten art. As a hospitality major, it’s something I’ve known, yet not realized I’ve missed. Even when I’m home with my family during school breaks, our conflicting schedules yet again prevent me from joining the dinner table most nights. Most of the time I eat with my AirPods in and my eyes glued to a screen. Getting to talk to my friends and genuinely connect with each other is something I look forward to every week. My friend group abroad and I bonded so much through cooking and eating together. Having conversation, engaging with one another, and learning more about others happens so easily over a hot meal.  

Holly, Bella, and Ella pictured holding another family dinner we’ve made. 

So, if you’re worried about your roommates, trust me I get it. It’s scary to adjust to new living arrangements or to join preexisting friendships, especially when you’re so far from home. But, if you want to break the ice, there’s no better text than “Family dinner tonight?”.