Program Objectives
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Gain real NGO collaboration experience addressing global challenges.
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Strengthen intercultural competence and global collaboration skills.
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Enhance employability through project-based learning and mentorship.
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Contribute to WorldEd Foundation’s global mission of inclusive, equitable education.
Cultural Cuisine Exchange
A Global Cultural Learning Experience for Middle Schoolers (Ages 11–14)
Discover the World… One Dish at a Time
A global online exchange project where students share, recreate, and celebrate each other’s cultural dishes—building empathy, identity, and global citizenship.
How It Works
Students participate through paired exchanges
Each student selects a dish that represents their identity, heritage, or community
Step 1 — Choose Your Cultural Dish
Students create a short video introducing:
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The dish
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Why it matters to them
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Its cultural or family story
They also upload a written recipe along with the video and cultural notes
Step 2 — Share Your Story (Video 1)
Students are paired with a peer from a different country. They receive their partner’s recipe and video, and research:
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Origins
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Traditions
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Cultural meaning
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Any migration or historical story
Step 3 — Exchange & Research
At home, students recreate their partner’s dish (with family support encouraged).
They film a short video showing:
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Their complete dish
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Their tasting moment
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What they learned
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A personal message thanking their partner
Step 4 — Recreate the Dish (Video 2)
All students join a virtual live session to celebrate their exchanges and share reflections.
Digital certificates are awarded.
Step 5 — Global Showcase Event
Digital certificates are awarded
Step 6 — Recognition
Inclusivity & Accessibility
The project is designed to be inclusive for all students.
Adaptations may include:
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Ingredient substitutions
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Simplified or partial dish preparation
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Parent/caregiver assistance
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Dish reinterpretations
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If a student cannot cook, they may record one key step or film a family member doing it.
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No student is expected to purchase expensive ingredients.
Ms. Andrea Gardner,
USA
Ms. Dahlia El Malatawy,
Egypt
Ms. Alina Roberts,
Grenada
Ms. Stephanie Schneider,
USA
Dr. Jouhaida Al Rawi,
Lebanon
Ms. Kaja Posnik,
Poland
Global educator and advocate for inclusive education, dedicated to empowering educators and students for a brighter future.
Educator with 29 years of experience, specializes in English language Arts instruction, champions student-centered learning environments.
Seasoned educator and Commissioner of Girl Guides, dedicated to empowering youth and fostering inclusive learning environments.
Passionate educator and Vice Principal devoted to student growth, overseeing faculty operations, and supporting special programs for educational excellence.
Esteemed educator with diverse experience and commitment to educational excellence, shaping practices as a Trainer of trainers and Lead Evaluator.
Program Director of the Girls Global Ready Program, dedicated to driving positive change and youth empowerment, with leadership experience and advocacy for the arts.
What Students Submit
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Video 1: My Cultural Dish Story (1–3 mins)
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Written Recipe + Cultural Notes
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Video 2: Recreating My Partner’s Dish (2–4 mins)
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Reflection Worksheet
Project Timeline (6 Weeks)
Week 1: Kickoff: Identity & Food
Week 2: Create Video 1 + Upload Recipe
Week 3: Exchange Dishes & Begin Research
Week 4–5: Recreate Partner’s Dish + Create Video 2
Week 6: Global Showcase Event + Certificates
Teacher & Facilitator Role
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Register students
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Support pairing across countries
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Monitor submissions
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Ensure respectful communication
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Guide students through cultural sensitivity
Who Can Join?
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Public & private middle schools
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Homeschool groups
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NGOs working with youth
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After-school programs
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International classrooms
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Cultural clubs (optional)
About the Project
The Cultural Cuisine Exchange is a 6-week global learning experience connecting middle school students from different countries. Through food—the universal language—students explore identity, heritage, migration, and cultural storytelling.
This project is part of the BetterFutures Program by the WorldEd Foundation, designed to inspire global awareness, cooperation, and youth leadership.
Dates:
Project Launch: March 2026
Project Dates: April 12 – May 24, 2026