International Students Get Warm Introduction to Vital American Cultural Institution: S’mores
There’s something of a new annual tradition among the students of American Institutions and Culture (MET MG 545), thanks to BU MET lecturer Jamie Robertson. As part of the course’s primer on American history and culture, its cohort of visiting MET International students have also gotten introduced to a classic, three-pronged sweet treat: s’mores.
The class is a unique one, designed to familiarize international students, often on their first trip to the United States, with the mores of American life. This winter, for the second year in a row, Robertson and students broke the pandemic monotony by crossing the BU Bridge towards her Cambridgeport home to enjoy the classic campfire treat of graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows freshly roasted over the fire.
Robertson, who joins BU MET from the College of Arts & Sciences Writing Program, encourages her students to delve into whatever element of American culture most intrigues them—no matter the source. The new custom began during the winter 2020 height of the pandemic, as an on-screen sighting prompted curiosity.
“A student had seen an American television show where a family went camping and they had s’mores. She asked me what s’mores were—none of [the class] had ever had one,” Robertson explains.
All but a few students had returned to their home countries and were attending class virtually via LearnfromAnywhere, but those that were living nearby got an invite to their teacher’s patio where they got a chance to taste the delicious, if goopy, confection for themselves. It turned out to be a bright moment in an otherwise challenging time, and so Robertson opted to revisit the practice with her 2021 class. After only five students who had remained in the area were able to join in 2020’s campfire fun, this year saw 36 attend the outdoor, in-person patio gathering.
Enjoyed on a chilly New England night, the s’mores were paired with hot apple cider, another significant element of regional culture. It represented a cheery compliment to the rest of American Institutions and Culture’s lessons on the ins-and-outs of business, education, politics, and society in the United States.
“The course does a broad overview of so many things, from early American history and the political system to American football and the American gastronomy culture,” says Robertson. Indeed, this past semester saw BU MET Senior Lecturer in Gastronomy Karen Metheny join the course to lead a discussion on the cultural history and significance of Thanksgiving dinner.
American Institutions and Culture students often join from France or Spain, but this year’s class included representatives from Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, and Germany. Now, when they return to their home communities, they’ll bring knowledge of a truly irresistible variety of dessert sandwich.
“No one should go through life not knowing how to make a s’more, so on behalf of Metropolitan College, I am doing my part,” Robertson said.