Sharing international perspectives

Growing up in Pakistan, Zainab Atoofa dreamed of exploring international cuisines. When she first arrived in the United States, Atoofa struggled to connect with her peers from other parts of the world. But she soon realized her love for food could serve as the perfect cross-cultural icebreaker.

"At events like the International Coffee Hour, I began meeting students from Turkey, Iran, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Mexico and Korea," the University of Delaware student wrote in her submission to the 2024 International Student Essay Contest. "Our conversations often started with talks of favorite dishes, family recipes and stories about foods that reminded us of home. Each exchange deepened my understanding of the people I met, and food quickly became a universal language that bridged our differences."

Atoofa's story, "Crossing Comfort Zones: A Journey of Global Friendship," earned first place in the 2024 international student essay contest in the graduate student category. Throughout her essay, the public policy doctoral student explained how these interactions shaped her entire international student experience.