Vagabonding vegetarians beware: maintaining your veg-centric lifestyle while Studying Abroad will be a challenge. But not to fear, you got this. No one ever said using your diet to save the planet was easy! To help you stay on course, we’ve compiled a list of study abroad destinations that we think are very vegetarian friendly.
India
With the world’s largest vegetarian population, this South Asian nation is a no brainer for students looking to chomp on veggies and paneer all semester. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that if you enjoy meat, India might not be the destination for you. I mean c’mon, their cows are holy!
Denmark
Danes are known for their progressive thinking, so it’s no surprise that vegetarian options abound in this place that once held the title for “Happiest Country in World.” We even hear their vegetable stands run on the honor system! So don’t worry, be “Hygge,” and refer to this excellent resource from DIS on Danish vegetarian vocab.
Israel
In keeping Kosher, it seems Israel would be a solid choice for students with diverse dietary needs. You don’t have to worry about pork or shellfish, and many establishments won’t combine milk and meat. Besides that, hummus and cucumbers are served with virtually every meal, and Falafels grow on trees. Now that’s Israeli nice!
Taiwan
Once you know what to look for, this subtropical land can be a Taiwan-derful place for vegetarians. The majority of the country is Taoist or Buddhist, which means meat-free meals are understood and available. Visit restaurants with the red and yellow Chinese characters 素食 (sùshí) which means vegetarian, and eat your herbivore heart out.
The United Kingdom
Hold the Bangers & Mash and bring on the Bhindi Masala! Perhaps not appreciated for it’s native food, the UK has some excellent ethnic entrees for vegetarians. What’s more, the food labels are in English and the pubs serve veggie burgers! What more can a tree-hugging globe trotter ask for?!
The act of studying abroad and being a vegetarian can sometimes feel like they are competing opposites- to be a great study abroad student takes flexibility and adaptability. To be a great vegetarian takes determination and diligence. But the two can coexist, you can still be respectful towards your host country’s culture, while also staying true to your own veggie values system. To make your life easier, consider studying in one of the above countries and check out Happy Cow for an online directory of vegetarian restaurants around the world. The International Vegetarian Union is another great resource that all traveling vegetarians can utilize.
Bon voyage veg-heads!
