As an African student from Ghana studying at Kirkwood Community College, one of my daily struggles isn’t academic; it’s food. Each time I walk into the campus cafeteria, I’m met with the same routine: French fries, pizza or maybe a scone. Those are my go-to meals, not because they’re my favorites, but because they’re the few items I can manage to eat comfortably.
The cafeteria has an impressive variety of food options including burgers, sandwiches, salads and pasta, but they are overwhelmingly American. For someone raised on spicy jollof rice, yam, banku with okra soup or fried plantain with beans, the taste of most American dishes doesn’t sit quite right. I once tried the rice and sauce, hoping it would come close to what I knew back home, but my taste buds quickly told me otherwise. Since then, I’ve survived mainly on fries and pizza, which isn’t exactly the healthiest choice, but it fills the stomach when lectures pile up.
Food is more than just nourishment; it’s culture, comfort and identity. For many international students and staff members, a familiar meal can make a strange environment feel a bit more like home. It’s not just about satisfying hunger but also about belonging. When the cafeteria menu reflects only one culture, it unintentionally excludes others, even if that’s not the intention.
Kirkwood Community College takes pride in its diversity. Students, professors and workers come from all corners of the globe— Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America— and each group carries with it rich culinary traditions. Including a few international dishes on the menu would not only make dining more inclusive but also create a space for cultural exchange.
Imagine students from different backgrounds lining up to try Ghanaian or Nigerian jollof rice, Indian curry or Chinese dumplings for the first time. That’s how diversity should taste, shared and celebrated.
I’m not asking the cafeteria to abandon American classics. Rather, I’m suggesting a balance— a rotation that occasionally features international cuisine. Kirkwood could collaborate with international students, clubs or local restaurants to introduce “Global Food Days” or themed weeks celebrating various cultures through food.
As a student far from home, I often crave more than just knowledge; I crave a taste of Ghana. Maybe one day, I’ll walk into the cafeteria and find something that reminds me of home. Until then, I’ll keep munching on my French fries and hoping the menu evolves to reflect the global community that Kirkwood truly is.
Categories: Editorials, Opinion
