As someone who has had a peanut allergy my entire life, I have become very used to navigating eating in the states. I know how to properly read the ingredient labels, how to order in restaurants, and what ingredients to expect in common US foods. However, when going to a different country all of the governmental regulations and cultural expectations change. I was worried that the allergens might not be listed plainly or that restaurants would not know or be willing to find out what is in their food. Additionally, I was concerned that the preparation of certain foods could be different while abroad, so I could not comfortably rely on “safe foods”.
However, while studying at Oxford, I have found that I have had a much easier time managing my food allergy in the UK than I ever did in the states. There seems to be a general understanding of the difficulties of having a food allergy. UK nutrition labels list not just the top 9 allergens but the top 14. Practically every restaurant has a sign asking that guests let their staff know what their food restrictions are. Even where I am staying, Worcester College, asks that people with food restrictions carry specific cards which they need to show in the dining hall even though each food item is clearly labeled. For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was the only one concerned about my allergy.
All of this to say, I would recommend doing specific research about wherever you plan on studying abroad. While some places may be incredibly understanding, it is still best to be your own self advocate. Make sure to research the food culture there you will be staying. Certain cuisines rely much more heavily on certain allergens than maybe expected. Overall though, be sure to be willing to try new foods while abroad and make sure to have fun!