Before you forget that you’re going abroad to actually do some studying, remember that your stay won’t be all brunches and happy hours. Most culinary arts schools involve intense days filled with chopping, sautéeing, and laboring over a hot stove. But when you’re not spiralizing beets, you’ll be learning the basics of restaurant management and decoding financial spreadsheets.
While there are many fantastic culinary arts schools that offer a range of degrees, some institutions stand out from the crowd. Most of culinary schools offer bachelor’s degrees in multiple culinary fields, and many also provide master’s level training or certifications in various specialities. Internships are also plentiful, offering real-world, hands-on experience that will help in your future job search.
Some culinary schools are a cut above the rest and are worth looking into if you want your resume to shine. Gasma, a Spanish culinary school that opened in 2014, focuses on natural, healthy cuisine made with local ingredients. Students who choose to earn a culinary arts degree at Gasma spend four years studying culinary arts and management, as well as participating in research projects and internships. For mountain lovers and raclette aficionados, the International Culinary Institute in Switzerland is world-renowned for its hospitality management training, and even promises each graduate a job upon finishing their culinary arts degree. If renaissance paintings and homemade gelato are more your thing, head to Italy and check out Apicius International School of Hospitality. Students at Apicius are immersed in more than just cannelloni, as they also undertake an in-depth study of Italian culture and learn how to tailor hospitality to the local context.
English is the most commonly spoken language in international culinary schools, but be sure to confirm which language classes are taught in before enrolling. In any case, it’s useful to start learning some of the local language too. This will benefit you during culinary arts internships, getting around the city, and making friends. So pull out those flash cards and start memorizing (focusing on the food section of your textbook, of course)!
Most culinary degree programs don’t require you to have prior experience or diplomas, but it won’t hurt to familiarize yourself with your kitchen before you begin working on a culinary degree abroad. Practice whipping up some fancy dinners for your friends; they likely won’t complain.
