Food plays such an important part in culture and heritage. Like music and dance, food is a universal language that brings people together. Think about all the holidays when family comes over and you spend time in the kitchen with your loved ones making recipes that have been passed down through generations. One of my favorite things to do whenever I visit a new country is to go on a food tour to learn about the traditional foods eaten in the country. When I was in Mexico City, we went on a food tour where we got to learn so much about Mexican food and the culture behind it. One of my favorite things was a green sausage with pesto, nuts, and other delicious flavorings. The deep connection of food also allows people to express themselves in a way that is beautiful and delicious.

One of my favorite things about Marymount is how we always have food fairs or food-related cultural events. On October 21st, for Global Community Week, clubs and affinity groups in the Marymount Community brought different desserts from countries worldwide. It was a great event to share cultures and do it through sweet treats. On October 25th, ALAS (The Alliance of Latin American Students) threw a food fair where its members brought foods from different Latin American countries. This allowed students to share their culture and heritage with a recipe important to their family. Events like these not only foster a community for students to share their cultural heritage, but also increase awareness of various cultural traditions, dishes, and stories behind them, making the Marymount community one of inclusivity.

If you ever have a chance to go on an authentic food tour when you visit a new country or the next time you are with family and can ask for a recipe, you should do it. Opening your horizons to new foods will help you open your mind to be more aware and open to all cultures. You can start by coming to all future food fair events at Marymount.