Tell us about you!
Where did you study abroad?
Bergen, Norway
How did you choose your study abroad location?
I chose the University of Bergen because of their Center for Nutrition and the food allergy research happening there. I also completely fell in love with Norway’s natural landscape. I’m an avid outdoorswoman, and Bergen sits right on the coastline surrounded by seven mountains, which makes it the perfect place for fishing, hiking, and boating. Those are some of my favorite things to do, so it honestly felt like the best of both worlds. The research fit was there, and I knew I’d feel at home outside of the classroom too.
Had you been out of the country before studying abroad? Do you speak the local language?
I have not been out of the country before studying abroad, and I do not speak the local language.
Did you plan anything ahead of time?
I actually did a lot! Here are the things that I would do again in a heartbeat:
- I stocked up on medication before I flew. I ordered a six-month supply of my albuterol inhaler, packed my nebulizer, and ordered an additional pack of epinephrine so I’d have more than enough overseas. I kept doses in different bags so I always had one on me, and carried a letter from my allergist explaining why I had them for customs.
- I made allergy cards with my allergies in Norwegian on one side and English on the other. I kept them tucked into the back of my phone case so they were always with me, and I’d pull them out to show at any restaurant or bakery I was trying to go to.
- I sorted out health insurance before I left so that if I ended up in the hospital, everything would already be handled. That peace of mind was worth every bit of the effort it took to set up.
- I called the grocery store nearest to my apartment before I got to Norway to ask if they carried dairy substitutions. They were so incredibly helpful and actually had numerous dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free alternatives, plus a whole “free from” section inside the store. Knowing that before I landed took a huge weight off.
- I built a custom Gemini gem and programmed it with all six of my allergies so I could scan Norwegian ingredient labels at the grocery store and get a quick read on whether something was safe. It was one of the most useful tools I brought with me.
- I downloaded CanEat, an app made specifically for navigating food allergies in Norway. Having a Norway-specific resource on my phone made a huge difference.
- I researched Norwegian grocery labeling before I left. The EU labeling laws are actually really strong, and knowing what to look for made my first grocery run so much less overwhelming.
What are your best tips for studying abroad with food allergies?
Don’t let fear stop you from truly living your life. Food allergies carry such a heavy psychological weight, and I know that better than anyone, but I promise traveling abroad with them is so possible. The planning takes work, and there will be moments that feel uncomfortable or scary, but the payoff is worth every bit of it. You just have to take the leap!
A few practical things I’d pass along: always pack more epinephrine abroad than you think you need (you may not be able to refill a prescription!), keep your allergy cards somewhere you can grab them fast (mine lived in the back of my phone case), and don’t be afraid to call ahead. Grocery stores, restaurants, and housing coordinators were some of the kindest people I interacted with the whole trip, and asking questions before I got there made everything smoother once I landed.
If Norway is on your list, go. It ended up being one of the safest and most welcoming places I’ve ever visited!
Did you have any concerns about traveling with food allergies?
Honestly, I was pretty terrified. Flying over 3,000 miles overseas was something I had never done before in my life. My family and I had always been a little hesitant about going abroad because of my food allergies, so Norway was my first time ever leaving the country. Definitely a go big or go home moment. The scariest part was the thought of having a reaction somewhere I couldn’t clearly explain what I needed. I’d be further from my allergist and my family than I ever had been, in a language I didn’t speak, in a healthcare system I didn’t know. I also kept worrying about the smaller day-to-day stuff, like what I would be able to find at the grocery store or how I could read the labels. What helped was chipping away at the fear one piece at a time. I called local grocery stores and bakeries and just chatted with them about my allergies. Everyone was so incredibly kind and there were so many more allergen free options than I thought. I learned how to say my allergens in Norwegian and I came over with a few of my go to allergen-free snacks. My first week was mostly cooking at home while I got used to the grocery stores. By the end of my time in Bergen I was eating out, hopping on trains to other cities, and trusting myself in a way I hadn’t before. The fear didn’t fully disappear, but I did not let it prevent me from living life to the fullest.
What airline did you fly? How did you handle accommodations and airplane food?
I flew AirFrance Business Class! They were able to provide me with safe drinks, salads, and crackers but I brought my own pasta and meatballs on the plane. I alerted the flight crew and airline of my allergies ahead of time. The crew was fantastic! I brought Made Good bars, Belvitas, and Oreos with me.
Where did you live and how were meals handled?
I lived in a shared flat but had my own bathroom and bedroom. We all shared cooking spaces but my flatmates were fantastic with my food allergies and I also made sure to have all of my own separate cooking utensils. I would buy my own food at the grocery store, but on special occasions I would go out to eat.
Were there grocery stores that you felt you could safely shop at?
Yes! Rema and Meny were my favorites.
Is there any food your study abroad location is known for that you were able to have safely?
I was able to have salmon (Norway is famous for it). I bought it from the Bergen fish market and made it at home!
For anyone with a sweet tooth, were there any special sweet finds like ice cream shops or bakeries?
Amorino Gelato in Verona Italy!
What other places did you visit during your trip?
I visited Amsterdam and had the most delicious pancakes from Pancakes Amsterdam who were fantastic with my allergies. That was the only breakfast venue I was able to eat at!
Besides the food, were there any fun experiences or favorite things you did?
So many. One of the most unreal moments was seeing orcas in the Arctic Circle at 2 a.m. It’s something I don’t think I’ll ever fully be able to put into words. I also got to see Jason Derulo perform in Bergen, which was such a random and fun surprise in the middle of my semester. And somehow I ended up front row at a Harry Styles concert in Amsterdam, which is still one of those pinch-me moments I bring up any chance I get.
Some of my favorite memories are from the smaller adventures too. I caught Arctic coalfish in the middle of a fjord, which felt like a peak Norway moment as an outdoorswoman. I also took cabin trips to a tiny ocean town called Nautnes with friends, and those slower weekends by the water were honestly some of the best days of the whole experience.
I traveled outside of Norway too, and the highlights were Cinque Terre in Italy and Nice, France. The water in Nice was actual Gatorade blue, I still can’t believe it was real. There are so many more favorites too!
Any tips you have?
Don’t let fear stop you from truly living your life. Food allergies carry such a heavy psychological weight, and I know that better than anyone, but I promise traveling abroad with them is so possible. The planning takes work, and there will be moments that feel uncomfortable or scary, but the payoff is worth every bit of it. You just have to take the leap!
A few practical things I’d pass along: always pack more epinephrine abroad than you think you need (you may not be able to refill a prescription!), keep your allergy cards somewhere you can grab them fast (mine lived in the back of my phone case), and don’t be afraid to call ahead. Grocery stores, restaurants, and housing coordinators were some of the kindest people I interacted with the whole trip, and asking questions before I got there made everything smoother once I landed.
If Norway is on your list, go. It ended up being one of the safest and most welcoming places I’ve ever visited!
