Study Culinary Arts Abroad
Culinary Arts Study Abroad Programs
Intro
If you're worried your study abroad experience might interfere with your Culinary Arts major or career goals, have no fear! Studying abroad is an excellent way to differentiate yourself in a competitive field. What better way to master a style of cooking than by studying in the country where it originated? If you want to learn about French cuisine, study in France! If you're a fan of sushi, study in Japan! You can go anywhere your heart (or stomach) may desire. Even if you aren’t a Culinary Arts major, studying cooking while abroad is an excellent way to get to know the unique culture and values of a country.
Program Types
There are many different types of culinary programs abroad, from studying pastry making to becoming a wine expert.
Culinary Arts
If you want to learn how to craft a 3-star meal, studying Culinary Arts abroad will be extremely beneficial. Where you study will be very important; choose a region that compliments the style of cooking you want to perfect. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced chef looking to expand your skill set, studying the cooking style of a foreign country will make you stand out in your home country. For example, you can kickstart your professional development with a B.A. in Culinary Arts by studying abroad at the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
Pastry Chef
If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to consider studying in pastry chef courses. Studying in this field will be very rewarding to those who love desserts; it won't be a piece of cake, however - you'll need to be very exact and have a great deal of patience. Studying this in a different country will allow you to learn techniques and recipes that you wouldn't find at home.
Butchery
Studying butchery abroad will help you develop your knife skills and get immersed in hands-on work. Going abroad can help introduce you to new techniques from foreign chefs or it can expose you to new experiences, such as butchering animals on organic farms. This field is not for the faint of heart: understand that being a butcher professionally will require you to witness the slaughter of many animals. It is a necessary function but is nonetheless emotionally draining for some.
Wine and Beverage
If your goal is to become a Sommelier or a Wine Expert, studying abroad will expose you to some of the most amazing wines. Your palate will be trained to distinguish subtle differences between beverages and you'll get to taste wines you may not have had access to at home. You aren't limited to just wine though - you may also work with coffee, spirits, or sake. You may also look into studying Mixology and learn the art of creating the perfect cocktail. Travel to Aix-en-Provence, France with CEA to explore different wine regions, vineyard, and gastronomy, all taught by master chefs and sommeliers themselves.
Where
France
Known as the capital of gastronomy, there are few places better to study the secrets of culinary masters than France -- both Paris and Lyon are classic destinations to study culinary arts. With a vast array of programs, including Le Cordon Bleu, you can’t really go wrong. Stroll through markets with the freshest ingredients while picking up French and rubbing elbows with some of the finest chefs in the world.
Italy
The other major gastronomy capital of the world, the best Italian food is simple, yet extremely hard to perfect. Italy has numerous schools, and you’ll be surprised to find that the food styles and techniques are extremely regional. The first thing an Italian cooking instructor will tell you is that there is no such thing as Italian food; there is Tuscan food, Roman food, etc. Each region has a unique history and its food reflects that. Italy is also a great country to master wine and food pairing.
Thailand
Sitting at the crossroads of India, Oceania, and China, Thai cuisine is unique that it blends the techniques and ingredients of all three cultures. Classes in Thailand are inexpensive but you’ll learn about how to blend techniques and ingredients across borders and work with many spices you may be unfamiliar with. The climate also provides different fruits and vegetables that you may not have seen at your home university.
Costs & Scholarships
Culinary degrees can cost thousands of dollars, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on whether you're taking courses locally or abroad. Before setting out to study abroad, be sure to look into study abroad scholarships! Don’t forget to look into the culinary program you end up choosing, as they may offer their own scholarships for international students.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I afford culinary school?
You can subsidize your culinary arts degree by applying for academic and financial need-based scholarships. Make sure to also check for scholarships at your culinary program, as they usually have opportunities as well.
Related Content -
How much does a culinary school graduate make?
Culinary arts graduates who work as assistant chefs, sous chefs, and head cooks tend to make anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 per year.
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Where is the best place to study culinary arts abroad?
With so many cooking terms and techniques originating out of France, Paris and Lyon are some of the best places to study culinary arts abroad. Other fantastic countries to learn culinary arts are Italy and Thailand.
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How much does culinary arts school cost?
A degree in culinary arts can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, which depends on the location and the type of institution of your education.
