Not All That Foreign is a biweekly column about life as an international Yalie by Irene Colombo (BF ’25).
As the Yale Health nurse came back with my diagnosis on Saturday morning, I could not help but start thinking about the many things that I had no idea existed before coming to this country. This list has been underway for almost a week, and the entries have been corroborated by several fellow internationals. I hope it will be relatable for many, and amusing to the rest.
- Strep throat. No further explanation required.
- In the same vein, nut allergies. No one in Italy is allergic to nuts. My research tells me it’s because we consume copious amounts of Nutella as children.
- Oh, and rheumatoid arthritis. Every other commercial in this country seems to be about a rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Possible side effects include headaches, rashes, kidney failure, lung failure, and in extreme cases, death.
- Trail mix. Probably my favorite thing on this list. Thank you, America. Also, read up on the history of trail mix. It’s strangely fascinating and controversial.
- Brunch and the inexplicable hold it has on this country.
- Calling Philadelphia cream cheese “schmear.” I must admit that, for a reason I can’t quite put my finger on, it is quite fitting.
- Wine in a bag. A recent addition to the list, courtesy of the Sigma Nu brothers.
- “Greek” life.
- In honor of the mid-February recruiting craze: consulting.
- Doggy bags.
- Free refills.
- Actually going to therapy.
- Lavender lattes with almond-cashew hybrid milk and two pumps of vanilla in a biodegradable to-go cup.
- Pregames.
- Tailgating. A tradition that, according to my research, was born out of crowds of people gathering around the open back end of a pickup truck outside a stadium with food and cheap beer. A real pre-game.
- Butternut squash. Now a substantial proportion of my weekly vegetable intake. By force, not by design.
- Squash. The sport.
- Peeled eggs at the supermarket. I like to peel my own eggs.
- Trains that go slower than cars. This is just me complaining about the Metro North.
- Microwaves. Actually.
