🌍 Final Reflection: Around the World in Six Weeks, A Culinary Learning Journey 🌍

Six weeks ago, I began a #LearningProject that took me far beyond recipes, it took me around the world, into different cultures, and deeper into my own learning process. My goal was simple: learn to cook dishes from six different countries using online resources, document my progress, and reflect on the experience.

Now that I’ve reached the end of this adventure, I can confidently say that I’ve gained more than just a handful of new recipes. I’ve learned about the kind of learner I am, how to navigate digital tools effectively, and how powerful cooking can be in terms of connecting with culture, people, and promoting personal growth.

Here’s a look back at my journey, one plate at a time:

🇮🇹 Week 1: Italy – Homemade Pasta & Carbonara (with a twist)

I kicked things off ambitiously with homemade pasta, and it didn’t go exactly as planned. My dough refused to come together despite my best efforts. In the end, I went with store-bought noodles, but my carbonara sauce turned out rich and authentic.
What I learned: Failure is part of the learning process. Even when things don’t go perfectly, you can still make something great. I also learned how helpful step-by-step blogs and written tutorials can be—when paired with patience!

🇻🇳 Week 2: Vietnam – Fresh Rolls

This week I used TikTok and YouTube to guide me through Vietnamese fresh (summer) rolls. Watching the wrapping technique visually made a huge difference, this was where I really started to see the value of video-based learning.
What I learned: Seeing the process visually helped me develop muscle memory. Video tutorials, especially short-form ones like TikTok, are a great tool for learning new hands-on skills.

🇲🇽 Week 3: Mexico – Carne Asada Tacos

I marinated steak for hours based on a YouTube recipe before realizing my BBQ was broken. So I pan-fried the meat and still ended up with incredibly flavourful tacos. I planned to make churros too, but had to skip them due to a lack of tools.
What I learned: Plans can change, but flexibility in the kitchen is key. I also learned about the science behind marinating, how meat temperature matters, and how important it is to adjust to real-life limitations.

🇮🇳 Week 4: India – Chicken Tikka Masala

This was my first time using the Tasty app. I explored its pros, the clean design, easy step-by-steps  and cons such as repetition, shallow technique tips. I used it to make a slow-cooked chicken tikka masala.
What I learned: Chicken thighs vs. breasts, the power of slow cooking, and that apps can be a great tool, but I still preferred the engagement and personality of YouTube and TikTok for my learning style.

🇪🇷 Week 5: Eritrea – Tsebhi with My Mother-in-Law

Instead of going digital, I cooked alongside my mother-in-law to make traditional Tsebhi. It was a completely different kind of learning, hands-on, guided in real time, and filled with stories and laughter.
What I learned: In-person learning offers depth and context that digital sources can’t replicate. This was the most relaxed and intuitive week, no measuring, just cooking from the heart.

🇺🇸 Week 6: USA – Homemade Burgers & Deep-Fried Oreos

For the final week, I decided to create my own recipe after all the skills I’d picked up. I pulled from a variety of online sources to make my own burger recipe, and followed a TikTok video for deep-fried Oreos. I also recorded and edited a video of my cooking process.
What I learned: I’ve grown more confident in the kitchen and in my ability to remix and adapt what I learn. I also saw how useful video documentation can be—not just to show others, but to reflect on your own growth.

Final Takeaways

Over six weeks, I:

Learned to cook global dishes

Tried different types of media and platforms

Reflected honestly on both successes and setbacks

Grew more confident in creating, adapting, and sharing

Saw how social media, blogs, and video can support meaningful learning

Perhaps the biggest realization? Learning doesn’t always need to be structured. Sometimes the best growth happens in trial and error, in laughter over failed dough, or in a shared meal with family.

This #LearningProject started as an assignment, but became something I genuinely looked forward to each week. It challenged me to try new things, think critically about how I learn, and most importantly it reminded me that learning can be joyful, delicious, and deeply personal.

Thanks for following along (: