The Homestay Kitchen: Cultural Connections with International Students who Study Abroad - Chinese Food Culture and Cooking with Students for Chinese New Year

Chinese Food Culture and Cooking with Students for Chinese New Year

02/04/19 • 39 min

The Homestay Kitchen: Cultural Connections with International Students who Study Abroad

In this episode, we are celebrating Chinese New Year. This year for 2019, CNY lands on February 5th and it's the Year of the Pig. In Mary's family, her big thing is her family's New Year's Eve dinner and since Erin has a Chinese student, we celebrated a pre-New Year's dinner at her house. We brought our recording equipment, but there was a recording malfunction, so there were only a couple of clips we could use. So we lost some thoughts from the two students we cooked with. However, we did have a rice intervention with Erin as we go through how to properly prepare rice in the Chinese tradition. If you're looking for a way to celebrate with your Chinese international student, this is an episode for you! Or if you just like food, this one is good too. We also share what it's like to introduce a different food culture to young kids and how cake is not really your traditional "cake" in its Asian form. Gung Hay Fat Choy; wishing you prosperity and luck for the coming year!

Key Points From This Episode:

Gung Hay Fat Choy. It’s the Year of the Pig.
When is Chinese New Year? Ask your Chinese friend!
It all started with grocery shopping.
How does Mary rate Erin’s driving skills?
Mary gives tips on how to pick fresh fish. #isitmooshy
The Rice Debate. Mary defends white rice.
A few confessions and several interventions. Erin fesses up.
On the topic of confessions... What happened to the audio equipment? #igavesuchgoodaudio #mybuttruinedeverything
Descaling the fish.
We talk about the dishes and all the ingredients.
We discuss ground rules for next year’s dinner.
Mary tries to make Erin cry, but Erin turns the table on Mary!
We go over red envelope etiquette.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Chinese New Year food symbolism

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Key Points From This Episode:

Gung Hay Fat Choy. It’s the Year of the Pig.
When is Chinese New Year? Ask your Chinese friend!
It all started with grocery shopping.
How does Mary rate Erin’s driving skills?
Mary gives tips on how to pick fresh fish. #isitmooshy
The Rice Debate. Mary defends white rice.
A few confessions and several interventions. Erin fesses up.
On the topic of confessions... What happened to the audio equipment? #igavesuchgoodaudio #mybuttruinedeverything
Descaling the fish.
We talk about the dishes and all the ingredients.
We discuss ground rules for next year’s dinner.
Mary tries to make Erin cry, but Erin turns the table on Mary!
We go over red envelope etiquette.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Chinese New Year food symbolism

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Previous Episode

Emotional Bonds and Departure Rituals For When Students Are Leaving

In this episode, Erin gets ready to say goodbye to one of her long-term students. To Mary's surprise, Erin didn't cry during the episode, but trust that this is an emotional experience for Erin who bonded so deeply with her homestay daughter. Before we get to that experience and what Erin has planned for her goodbye, we take a look at Mary's more practical and level headed approach. She's not a hugger, but she may be turning to the dark side. We've got a bonus for you in this episode too! If you need a rundown of what to check before a student leaves your home, we've got one for you! Just head over to the show notes for this episode on our website and you can download a mini-roadmap for your student's departure.

Key Points From This Episode:

It is known that Mary has a bubble. Today Mary reveals herself to be practical and level headed. All good things to be sure. But can Mary hug? #didnotgrowupwithhugging
Mary shares a story about the one thing she forgot when dropping a student off at the airport.
We share some of our goodbye stories.
Erin shares the rituals and traditions they have lined up in the week leading up to Yoko’s departure.
We talk about goodbye gifts for students... and Mary goes on a sidenote tangent! (Erin thinks it could be Mary’s first ever tangent... how exciting!) #keepthegiftssmall
Erin shares one of the favourite gifts she likes to give students... and how you can learn from her mistakes.
Airport drop offs. We talk about the options and Erin shares her plans for Yoko.
Practical Mary shares her tips and checklist for before a student leaves your home.
Erin goes on a tangent about the time a coworker forgot an important item before taking a trip together.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Schleich figurines Student Departure Checklist Supernatural - Carry on My Wayward Son

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/

Next Episode

Your Student Arrival Guide with a Homework Assignment

In this episode, we take you through the process of getting ready for the arrival of your student. Is the student bedroom made up? Got that extra house key ready? Those are just two main things you should have set up, but yes, of course, there's always more. We've got lots of tips for welcoming your student into your home, culture, and a whole new country. Plus, Erin's got some homework for you and your new student. Don't worry, there won't be a pop quiz.

Key Points From This Episode:

Erin is undercaffeinated.
We revisit the “happenings” in Erin’s household over the last few days. #justkeepgoing
Erin shares what she puts in her welcome baskets for new students.
Welcome sign for greeting your student at the airport.
House rules/Welcome letter - #practicalMary’s rundown of info to include.
Erin has homework for you and your new student.
We cover the first few days with your student.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bob Ross Quotes Jenny’s recommendations for restaurants in Victoria

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/homestaykitchen/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/homestaykitchen/ Web – http://homestaykitchen.com/