Words and photos by Makenna Kaminski, our Jetsetter Journalist studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy, during Spring semester 2023.

It's surprising to admit, but as I write this post, somehow I'm already down to the last two weeks of my study abroad in Sorrento, Italy. This semester has been like a dream come true - days spent in the sun, seeing new cities, and trying delicious new foods every step of the way.

While this semester has flown by, I've found that there were plenty of moments where I found myself missing the normalities of my home in Pennsylvania. Yet, instead of missing the big things like I would have expected, I actually found myself longing for the smaller details that home offered, like all of my favorite foods that I can't get in Italy.

Before I left the US, I knew that I would miss American food. I've surprisingly never been a huge fan of pizza, pasta, or other traditional Italian foods (shocker, I know!), so it was sad to leave my normal meals behind. I've come to love so many new Italian foods that I've tried along the way, but part of me is still waiting to run right back to all my tried and true favorites.

Chain Restaurants

I think one of the things I missed the most in food were probably the familiar chain restaurants that definitely can't be found here in Italy. I think one of the benefits about these chains is that you always know what you're going to get when you order from them. When you're traveling on a time-crunch, this is always helpful so you know what to expect and you don't have to spend extra hours scouring menus and deciding where to go. You can always be sure of the service speed and the quality, which is something I really miss.

Starbucks, for one, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I missed as much as I have since the cappuccinos and espresso in Italy are so high in quality. Still, there's been so many times where I've craved my traditional Starbucks order and there's nothing here that even comes close to the coffees I used to order back home. An American Starbucks coffee tastes completely different from the coffee shops here and even the other European Starbucks that I've tried. I can't wait to go home and order my classic iced coffee, and to get a large-sized (a venti!) as compared to the smaller coffees that they serve here. And then of course there's also their egg-white bites and egg sandwiches that can't be found anywhere else. The Starbucks that I've found elsewhere in Europe only serve sweet pastries for breakfast and none of the savory sandwiches like home.

Another chain restaurant that I've missed (and I think all the other study abroad students can equally agree!) is Chipotle. This famous build-your-own Mexican spot was one of my favorites while in school back home and I can't wait to get it the minute I get back to the States. Not only was it convenient, but it was also so good. I tend to be a picky eater so the fact that I can order exactly what I want on a bowl and make it my own was perfect. They also have vegan/vegetarian options - like fajita vegetables and sofritas - which have been much harder to come by in Italy. And, of course, you can't forget the chips and guacamole.

Iced Coffee

I never realized how much I missed iced coffee until just the other day. It's just started to get warmer here in Italy, and it officially feels like Spring. Up until now, I was doing well with only being able to order a hot coffee from a cafe. Yet, the other day I hit a point where the hot coffee just couldn't cut it anymore.

It was after a hike I did through the mountains of Castellammare and I was exhausted after a long day in the sun. Before getting on my train, I decided to stop and get a coffee to-go and drink it while I waited. It was here, sipping a steaming hot Americano on the sunny, hot train platform when I realized how much of a blessing iced coffee can be.

The funniest part is that at home in the US, iced coffee is found most places you go. Even the small cafes and coffee shops will have it and I miss being able to find it so easily. I can't wait to get a good cold brew or iced latte at home whether it's from Dunkin' or one of my favorite local shops. It'll definitely be a treat now that we're officially approaching Summer.

To-Go Foods

Italy has recently started to adapt to doing more to-go food items for tourists, but these places are still rare to come by. Whenever I'm looking for food or drinks to take away when I'm headed to a park or the beach, my options are usually limited to a quick sandwich or a pizza. I miss being able to get practically anything to go at home, especially from quick places like drive-thru restaurants. When I'm in between classes or traveling, the last thing I want to do is wait in a long line to get food to bring with me and I've missed the simplicity of driving up to a window to place an order to-go. Places like Dunkin' are so quick and affordable and the convenience is really useful when you're on the move.

When you go out to eat in Italy, it's also not custom to get your leftovers in a box to take home. In the States, I would often order extra and then take half a meal home for the next day, but here you are expected to eat your entire meal in one sitting. I miss being able to do this because I hate wasting any leftover food I have and it also makes for a great treat for the next day.

Mexican Food!!!!!!!

Another common missed food among the students here is definitely Mexican food. I have yet to see a Mexican restaurant anywhere in Italy and after a lot of searching, I've come to the conclusion that there's nothing even remotely close to be found.

Even the grocery stores here barely sell any of the Mexican style foods we're so used to eating at home. In the States, I'm used to entire aisles dedicated to taco kits, salsa, and queso whereas here they only have a tiny selection of salsa (which tastes completely different than what we're used to) and tortillas.

So far I've found that most supermarkets don't carry tortilla chips which was a huge surprise. Also, the only guacamole they have comes in a jar and it's more of a guacamole type sauce than anything else. The same goes for the salsas- they remind me a lot of a very sweet taco sauce. It's completely smooth and more watery, very unlike the chunky salsa or pico de gallo dips that we often eat.

The flavors of these items are also completely different. They seem to be missing some distinct spice or "taco" flavor. Additionally, most of the items I've tried have been surprisingly sweet and not the usual salty like expected. I think the first thing I'm buying when I get home is a massive taco kit, and I surely won't be taking the Mexican food aisle of the store for granted again!

American Breakfast

Italians are known for only eating a croissant or pastry for breakfast, which is notably much smaller than the breakfasts we are used to in America. Many people told me that I would get used to the smaller breakfasts here, but most days I needed far more to start my day than a croissant and a cappuccino. As a student, I need a big breakfast to keep me full enough to last me through my morning classes.

I immediately missed being able to find our normal American breakfast (or brunch) foods here in Italy. In the cities, you'll find more tourist-oriented brunch restaurants that serve things like breakfast sandwiches or eggs. Though in Sorrento it's been near impossible to find places that serve hearty breakfasts that we so love.

I really miss being able to sit down at a cafe and order something like avocado toast, an omelet, or my all time favorite- eggs benedict with smoked salmon. Also, I'd do anything for a mug of bottomless diner coffee.

Healthy foods

One thing that America does very well is their health-food cafes and restaurants. Especially within the past few years, there's been a huge increase in the amount of healthy cafes and little food shops popping up all over the US. Especially in more urban areas, it's so easy to find things like acai, smoothie bowls, wraps, grain bowls, and amazing salads.

The equivalent to this in Italy would probably be a panini shop that does lunch sandwiches, but these are usually very bread-heavy and don't feel nearly as healthy. Even when it comes to salads, I have yet to find one that compares to the giant salads I like to get back home. The places I miss the most are the make-your-own chopped salad restaurants where you can choose all of your own ingredients to add inside. Or even cafes like Panera Bread where I could get a soup and salad combo meal- there's just nothing like it here.

Cookout Foods

My family back home has a grill outside that's bound to be used on any nice day after the Winter snow has thawed. We always cook fish, burgers, vegetables, sweet potatoes, or even homemade pizzas. You name it- and we'd grill it.

I quickly learned how "American" cookout foods really are. I can't wait to go home and have a true cookout with my family with all the normal goods - veggie burgers, pasta salad, corn on the cob, coleslaw, etc. There's something about eating all these things together on a warm Summer day that nothing else can ever compare to. And of course the watermelon for dessert too. I think it's partially the event of it all in addition to the food itself that makes it so great. The fact that I haven't been able to get anything even remotely close to barbecue sauce in Italy is going to make it taste even better.

I'm so happy to have tried so many amazing new foods since coming to Italy this semester, but a part of me still can't wait to return back to my go-to foods back home! In my last few days here in Italy, I'm planning to get my final fill of breads and pastas before returning to all my favorites I used to love.