For many Indian students, going abroad to study is an exciting step towards independence. There is a new country to explore, a university to attend, new friends to make and countless experiences to enjoy. But along with the excitement comes a reality that is sometimes overlooked: you will need to take care of yourself.
One of the most important skills an international student can have is the ability to cook a simple meal. Cooking is not merely a hobby or something you do when you feel like it. When you are living away from home, being able to prepare your own food is a practical life skill.
Why Is Cooking So Important?
When you live with your family in India, food may seem to appear magically at mealtimes. Parents or grandparents may prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you may never have had to think about planning a meal or buying ingredients.
Life abroad is different.
You may have early morning classes, assignments, part-time work and social commitments. There will be days when you return home tired and hungry. Ordering food every time may seem convenient initially, but it can quickly become expensive and unhealthy.
Knowing how to prepare a few basic meals gives you control over what, when and how much you eat.
It Can Save You a Lot of Money
Eating out regularly can put considerable pressure on a student’s budget. Even relatively inexpensive takeaway meals can become costly when multiplied over several weeks.
Cooking at home is usually much more economical.
You don’t need to become an expert chef. Learning to prepare simple meals such as rice, dal, vegetables, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, soups or basic curries can make a significant difference to your monthly expenses.
You can also prepare larger quantities and save portions for another meal, making it easier to manage your time and money.
Your Health Matters Too
Food is closely connected to your physical and mental wellbeing.
When students are busy, it can be tempting to survive on instant noodles, frozen meals, snacks and takeaway food. Occasionally, that’s perfectly fine. But relying on such foods regularly may leave you with an unbalanced diet.
Cooking allows you to choose your ingredients and control the amount of salt, sugar, oil and processed food you consume.
For Indian students, it can also provide a way to maintain familiar eating habits while adapting to a new country. Preparing a simple dal, vegetable curry, rice or chapati can provide a comforting connection to home.
Learn Before You Leave India
Don’t wait until you arrive at your destination to discover that you don’t know how to cook!
Before leaving India, learn at least 10–15 simple meals that you enjoy eating.
Practise basic skills such as:
- chopping vegetables safely
- boiling rice and pasta
- preparing dal
- making simple curries
- cooking eggs
- using an oven or microwave
- storing food safely
- reading food labels
- planning a weekly grocery shop
You should also learn how to use basic kitchen equipment safely.
Cooking Builds Independence
Cooking is about much more than food.
When you learn to cook, you learn to plan, budget, shop, organise your time and solve problems. You become less dependent on others and more confident about managing everyday life.
You may even discover that cooking can be a wonderful way to make friends. Sharing a homemade Indian meal with international classmates can introduce them to your culture—and may lead to friendships that last long after graduation.
Don’t Aim to Be a MasterChef
The objective isn’t to become a professional cook.
You simply need to be able to feed yourself.
Start with simple dishes. Learn a few reliable recipes and gradually expand your skills. Mistakes are part of learning. Your first curry may be too salty, your first chapati may look like a map, and your first attempt at cooking rice may be less than perfect!
That’s okay.
The important thing is to become comfortable enough in the kitchen that you can prepare a nutritious meal whenever you need one.
The Bottom Line
Studying abroad is an opportunity to become independent, and independence includes taking responsibility for your everyday needs.
Cooking isn’t a choice for an international student—it is a life skill.
Before you pack your clothes, documents and gadgets, make sure you pack something else: the ability to cook for yourself. Your future self, your bank account and your stomach will all thank you.
Talk to an Edvantage counsellor today to begin your journey as an international student!
