Written by Karen Garcia-Ramos, (Pomona College), Student Correspondent for CET Colombia, Spring 2024
Food was something I rarely gave much thought to on my college campus, aside from menu comparisons when choosing between the dining halls within my consortium. The convenience of a hot, readily accessible meal was something I realized I took for granted during my first few days in Colombia.
Learning to Prepare Meals
CET Cali distinguishes itself from traditional study abroad programs through apartment-style housing, which allows for close horizontal relationships between abroad students and our Colombian roommates. Yet, this means that the task of securing meals is entirely our responsibility. Though initially a daunting charge, seeking out ingredients and preparing meals has personally become a source of joy and has led to some exciting moments.
To try and make sense of my newfound environment, I paid attention to staple foods that were consistent across the various lunches we tried, called the almuerzo ejecutivo. This is a low-cost meal offered mid-day at virtually every local restaurant that consists of rice or potatoes, plantains, a protein (usually chicken), salad, beans, a soup, and a drink. Given the variations each day, these meals were essential to understanding the available ingredient options when it came to preparing meals of our own. For example, I was not expecting to see so many potatoes! Another pleasant surprise was the cultural love for avocados, something I’ve enjoyed incorporating into my diet.
From Home to Colombia
One of my favorite things recently has been cooking comfort foods. Pictured below is a soup I grew up eating and have recreated in recent years. I realized one of the ways I began to miss home was through a longing for familiar flavors; I spotted the vermicelli pasta, or fideo, once on a shopping trip and knew I had to add it to my meal bucket list.
At home, I love to prepare this meal using a Mexican-brand canned soup base. However, I used my best improvisational skills to make do with what was at my disposal. The finished product ended up being delicious and has become one of the go-to meals in our apartment! Being open to learning through the discomfort of not knowing is one of the best ways to set yourself up for growth.
Galería Alameda
One of my favorite almuerzos yet can be found near the Galería Alameda, a famous market close to the center of the city. As part of the numerous food options available here, this meal can be found at a seafood restaurant inspired by the Pacific region’s gastronomy. This is an example of the delicious variation possible with the almuerzos ejecutivos, which helps break up the monotony at my favorite local lunch spots, like the Depea Pan Panaderia, Tiendas del Valle, and Pollo Asado y Apanado—all conveniently located en route from Torres de San Joaquin (our apartment building) and the CET house. Typically, the price of an almuerzo ranges between $13,000 and $15,000 Colombian pesos, or $3-4 USD.
Colombian Snack Party
As I’ve mentioned before, community-building in Cali, personally, has often been centered around a shared meal. One of my favorite food-related socials was the Colombian snack party that my roommates and I hosted a few weeks into the program. We saw this as a bonding opportunity for American students to try and familiarize ourselves with classic regional snacks at the guidance of our Colombian roommates. My personal favorites were patacones con hogado, obleas, and arepas de choclo! We embraced the novelty and used it as an opportunity for community building, and I hope to continue making memories through this medium.
