ANNA M.
Camel is to Somalia as borscht is to Russian culture 
Borscht is a traditional soup made with beets, cabbage, potatoes, and meat. It has a rich red color and a unique taste. In my homeland, we ate borscht very often, especially in winter. It is warm, filling, and comforting. Now I live in New York, and I still eat borscht sometimes. I cook it at home. When I eat it, it reminds me of my childhood and my family. If I don’t eat it for a long time, I really miss it.
Jamal’s challenges
Jamal had many challenges after he got accepted into the State Fair. First, it was very difficult to get camel meat in the United States. It was expensive and not easy to find. Then, the day before the opening, there was a problem with water in the kitchen, and he even broke his ribs. It was a very stressful situation. However, he did not give up. He moved his team to another kitchen and continued working. He stayed strong and focused. In the end, he overcame all challenges. His food became very popular, and he sold out in just four days. 
YULIANA
Nomads
That is a very good question about nomads! I had never really thought about it until 2022, when I left home.
At first, I lived for a month in Western Ukraine, then for six months in Italy, and finally, for nearly three years in America. And perhaps this isn’t the end at all, because the situation here regarding immigration policy is currently quite unstable, and we may have to leave the country and look for a new place to live.
I was reminded that similar things happened to my grandmother: her father was Polish and her mother was Russian, and she was exiled to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. There, she married my grandfather; but when he was killed in the war, she had to move to join her relatives in Ukraine. So, by all appearances, I come from a line of nomads – and my own nomadic journey continues. EVGENY
I was very surprised to learn that people in Somalia eat camel meat. It turns out that camel meat is actually more popular there than beef. Keeping a camel is cheaper than keeping a cow, and at the same time, it provides both milk and meat.
I also knew that Australia has the largest population of wild camels in the world. Camels were brought there during the exploration of the continent. They adapted very well to desert conditions. However, when cars and trains appeared, camels were no longer needed and were simply released. They started to spread quickly because there are no natural predators. Today the population is controlled and camels are culled, which is why Australia is one of the largest exporters of camel meat.
Camel is to Somalia as BLINI is to Russia.
Blini are similar to pancakes, but they are much larger and very thin. We eat them with sour cream, meat, fish, or different sweet fillings. However, around the world, blini are most often associated with red or black caviar. This is a very traditional Russian way of serving them.
We also have a tradition of eating blini for a whole week at the end of winter during Maslenitsa, a traditional Russian festival that celebrates the coming of spring.
At our school we usually have a party twice a year, where students bring dishes from their own cuisines. I’m not sure if there will be caviar, but I think you’ll have a chance to try blini.
News articles related to “Camel”
In the news segment, they talk about an episode of Little America dedicated to our main character. It turns out that the story for the episode was written by a Somali author, and Somali people were also involved in the filming, including the main actor. For them, it was an honor to represent their country, especially because many people usually associate Somalia just only with pirates.
The segment also describes the success of “camel on a stick” at the Minnesota State Fair. After media attention, the growing interest in Somali cuisine allowed the main character to open several more restaurants and a catering company.
In the second video, they talk about the success story of Safari Restaurant in New York (116 St). The owner opened the restaurant together with her husband. Their most popular dishes are roasted goat, which is cooked for more than eight hours, sambusas, and tea. The main secret of Somali cuisine is a special blend of spices.
SERGEI K.
Are you a determined person or the opposite?
I think I am a determined person. At work, I always try to finish my tasks and not give up. I had a strong goal to finish university, and it was very hard for me. When I moved to America, I had many difficulties, but my determination helped me. I want to improve my English and build a better life. Sometimes it is difficult, but I keep going and do my best.
What is a nomad? Can you relate to being a nomad?
A nomad is a person who moves from place to place. He does not live in one place for a long time. I can relate to this. When I was young, I often moved to different cities and worked there. I had to find a new job and make new friends each time. In some way, I am a nomad because I moved to America and started a new life. My friends and family often say that I like to change my life and look for something new. SIDI
A dish from my country
In my country, there is a common dish of a mix of rice, meat, and vegetables. It is camel meat cut into small pieces and mixed with greens and rice. and it originates from Mauritania. This meal reminds me of family gatherings and family atmosphere. In New York, I no longer eat this dish. I simply eat whatever is available without searching or making things complicated.
Are you a determined person or the opposite?
I think most people in their twenties are persistent and ambitious, and they have a strong determination to achieve their goals. I used to be like that.
When I wanted to do something, I would do it no matter how difficult it was. I did not realize that this was considered persistence or an achievement until I heard people say that if something is difficult, I am the one who can do it.
However, this trait has changed, and now all that remains is that if I start something, I finish it until the end, even if I do not master it or excel at it.
YEN-TING
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA AS BRAISED PORK KNUCKLE IS TO Taiwan.
The Taiwanese braised pork knuckle is traditional and delicious dish in my hometown, This dish reminds me of my family and my childhood life in Taiwan.
I remembered my family told me if you eat pork knuckle it can make your skin become better because it is filled with collagen. I didn’t know how to cook it before when I lived in Taiwan, and tried to make it after I moved to New York.
I learned how to make it on You Tube. it is slow cooked with soy sauce, ice sugar and Chinese spices, and I like to add some coke, because it can make pork knuckle softer. Now I eat the braised pork knuckle once per month, and I really enjoy this moment.
What did you learn from watching the supplementary interviews?
About these two videos, the first video I learned from Jamal Hashi is about his brave, because when he wants to create something new, he is not afraid of other people who oppose him and he stands by his idea until success. I think that’s pretty hard when you want to make something different from something traditional.
The second video is from Mona Birjeeb, who is the Somali restaurant owner in Harlem. I learned from her about her passion. I saw she is proud of her hometown.
From my observation, American culture is always a very strong influence around the world. When she lives here for long time, she still remembers where she came from and she built a meaningful business! ABDOU
Jamal’s challenges and successes
The Challenges: Beyond physical obstacles like his broken ribs, Jamal faced major logistical hurdles, including equipment shortages. He had to adapt very quickly to the highly competitive and demanding environment of the State Fair, managing the stress of large crowds while maintaining the high quality of his products.
His Reaction: Jamal’s mental strength was just as important as his physical efforts to keep going. He proved that with a clear vision and a refusal to give up, one can transform a desperate situation into an opportunity for success.
The Outcome: Ultimately, his sheer determination and persistence led to a massive success with the public, proving that he could overcome any obstacle in his path.
Being a Nomad
Meaning for Jamal: For him, the nomadic spirit means being able to carry one’s home and identity everywhere, without depending on a fixed location. It is a matter of resilience and constant adaptation. Your experience: Personally, I feel like a nomad because I had to rebuild my life in a completely different country. This ability to travel and integrate into a new culture is a form of freedom that requires a lot of courage.
In Africa, there are generally two groups of people:
Nomads: who are livestock herders moving from place to place to find water and grass for their animals to graze.
Sedentary people: who are mostly farmers. Unlike nomads, they stay in one place and wait for the rainy season to cultivate the land. Jamal belongs to the first group, just like many people living across the Sahel region.
Personally, I am a true modern nomad, as I have lived in several countries before arriving here in New York. I was born in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), where I grew up, and after my Bachelor’s degree, I moved to Dakar (Senegal) for my Master’s. After two years in Senegal, I went to France to continue my Master’s studies. After France, I came to live here, and I hope to become as fluent in English as I am in French in the near future. CELI
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA AS AREPA IS TO COLOMBIA 
The arepa is a traditional food from Colombia. It is made from corn flour, water, and salt. We cook it on a grill or pan. I used to eat it often in Colombia, especially for breakfast. It is very versatile: it can be eaten plain, with butter, cheese, eggs, meat, chicken, or avocado, or stuffed with a wide variety of ingredients. In Colombia, there are many varieties depending on the region: the arepa paisa, arepa de choclo, arepa boyacense, and arepa santandereana, among others. I still eat my breakfast every day. It makes me feel at home.
Would you call yourself determined and persistent?
I consider myself a determined and persistent person. Sometimes life is difficult, but I try not to give up. When I have a problem, I look for solutions and keep working until I improve. For example, moving to a new country and studying in another language has been challenging, but I continue learning every day. I am still growing, but I know I am stronger than before. NAN
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA AS DUMPLINGS ARE TO CHINA.
Dumplings are very traditional in China. Especially during the Spring Festival, dumplings are very common and important in every home. They are made using flour, vegetables and meat. People wrap vegetables and meat in flour and put into the hot water to cook. In Chinese culture, a dumpling is a symbol of reunion. People prefer to eat dumplings for good wishes. Of course, it is also very delicious.
What did you learn watching the supplementary videos?
The new owner of the restaurant is Mona Birjeeb and her husband. They make food based on their family recipes. During the epidemic, they persisted in providing food for the poor. BRUNO
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA AS CUY IS TO PERU.
Cuy is an Andean rodent,. It is also called a guinea pig. It has been a staple of the Peruvian diet since the Inca Empire, It is a lean, nutritious meat and a symbol of heritage. Most people prepare it fried. In Peru, we eat it during festivals or family celebrations. It is hard to find in New York, but I think you can find it in restaurants in Queens or New Jersey.
Would you call yourself determined and persistent?
I am a determined person. Like Jamal, I don’t give up and I keep trying until I reach my goals. I am persistent because I see obstacles as challenges. not as a reason to quit. GIGI
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA AS DIM SUM IS TO CANTONESE CULTURE.
My hometown Guangzhou is in southern China, Dim sum is an important part of Cantonese culture, encompassing many snacks such as shrimp dumplings, siu mai, and rice noodle rolls. People often eat dim sum while drinking tea, a custom known as yum cha.
When making many kinds of dim sum, people prepare different fillings, such as shrimp, pork, beef, or vegetables.
In my hometown, I use to eat dim sum very often, usually on weekends with my family. Now I live in New York, and I still eat dim sum sometimes in Cantonese restaurants. But it feels different from Guangzhou.
If I don’t eat it for a long time, I really miss it, Dim sum is part of Cantonese cuisine. People eat dim sum when they yum cha.
Families and friends share dim sum and talk together.
Being a nomad
A nomad is a person who moves from place to place and does not live in one fixed home.
Jamal means his family has a history of moving from place to place.
I think I am not a real nomad, but I moved from my hometown to New York, so I also have experienced moving to a new place.
NAY YIN
Our National dishes include Mohinga and Lahpet Thoke.
Mohinga, basically, is a savory fish soup served with thin rice noodles. While it can be eaten at any time of day, it is most iconic as a breakfast dish. The Broth is a rich, fish soup thickened with toasted rice flour and chickpea flour. It’s flavored with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, onions, and banana tree stems. Traditionally it is made with fresh catfish fillets added into the broth.
The soup is topped with extras like crispy chickpea fritters, sliced boiled eggs, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and dried chili flakes.
Lahpet Thoke is a kind of fermented tea leaf salad which has a unique, earthy taste. It is mostly served as a snack or delicacy after main meals. 
It has fermented Tea Leaves, shredded Cabbage, chopped tomatoes, along with a fried nut mix, split chickpea, and dried shrimp for crispness. The dressing has oil, lime Juice, fish sauce, fresh chili and garlic.
Here are some restaurants where you might find these delicious dishes:
Little Myanmar – 150 E 2nd St in Manhattan
Burmese Breakfast – 83-13 Broadway in Elmhurst, NY
Sophie’s Rangoon Kitchen – 81-04 Broadway in Elmhurst, NY
Are you as persistent and determined as Jamal?
Jamal faced so many challenges such as physical, mental and also environmental. Physically he broke his ribs, mentally he had to be strong enough to overcome what other people think about him. Environmentally his kitchen flooded when the sprinkle system went off so he had to move to his friend’s kitchen to get his work done. I think he was able to overcome all the challenges with his passion, resilience and belief. JUSUN 
In China, there is a wide variety of delicious food with different regional styles.
Some traditional dishes are closely connected to specific festivals.
For example, Zongzi (bamboo leaf – wrapped sticky rice dumplings) are traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival. This festival is said to commemorate the famous poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the river after witnessing the fall of his country. People threw rice dumplings into the water to prevent fish from eating his body and to honor his memory. Zongzi are very delicious and come in many varieties, with different fillings such as pork, red dates, salted egg yolk, and others, offering both sweet and savory flavors.
Are you a determined and persistent person?
I consider myself a determined and persistent person, especially in my work in the fashion and textile trading industry. When I receive orders from customers, I need to select the most suitable manufacturers to handle production, which is only the first step.
During production, I constantly communicate with factories to ensure quality and delivery schedules are strictly followed. When problems arise, I do not just identify them – I actively propose solutions, share ideas on how to fix issues, and work closely with production teams to resolve them.
In this industry, challenges are common, such as material delays, quality issues, or last-minute changes from clients. However, I always stay focused and persistent. I do not give up easily, even under pressure or difficult conditions. Instead, I keep pushing forward and find practical ways to solve problems step by step, until the orders are successfully completed and delivered to customer satisfaction. This persistence helps me maintain long-term client relationships and achieve consistent results in my work. RUIPING
Pig is to China as camel is to Somalia. 
In my memory, folks in the countryside feed the pig for the whole year and cook it before Chinese lunar new year or sell the pork to others for money.
We usually kill the pig and remove the hair, then chop it to prepare and cook it. It can be cooked into various dishes.
I like braised pork belly most. First put it in the boiled water with cooking wine for 5 mins.
Second, heat oil and add sugar. After that, put the pork into it and add some water and sauce as well. Finally, turn to low heat for 1 hour.
We usually eat it as we want to, and I still eat it when I come to New York, it’s pretty easy to cook.
Jamal’s challenges with the State Fair
The first challenge is that the kitchen is flooded, and some of the camel on a stick were covered with water. He must find another place to continue to prepare. Finally, he reached out to one of his friends and found a place.
The second challenge is that he broke his rib, but he needed to continue preparing the meat and had no time to go to the hospital, and he just persisted until everything was finished! MARIA K. 
I was born in a small town in Western Siberia in Russia and for us it is very popular to eat stroganina. It is made from fish like sturgeon, sterlet, muksun, nelma. Stroganina is not one fish, it is a way to serve fish: frozen raw fish cut into very thin pieces. Usually we eat it with salt and pepper and with bread.
This fish also can be fried, baked or used to cook a traditional soup called ukha. But stroganina must be eaten frozen and sliced into very thin pieces.
My favorite is sterlet. I like to eat it raw, when it is just caught from the river or frozen. If you are lucky, sometimes you can find black caviar inside the fish.
Unfortunately, in America there is no such fish and I really miss it. Every time when I come to Russia, my dad always buys this fish and we eat it to celebrate my coming. It is quite expensive (around $30-50 for 1 kg) and it is considered a delicacy in our region.
Being a nomad
A nomad is a person who moves from place to place and does not live in one place for a long time. Jamal means that his family lived like this for many generations always moving and not having one permanent home.
I can relate to this in some way. In my life I moved 2 times to different cities and 2 times to other countries, to the UK and to the USA. Every time you start your life again from zero. You find new friends, change jobs, learn new routes and places.
This kind of life helps to see the world wider, build new neural connections and better understand the mentality of other people. In some way I feel like a nomad too. IRINA
Camel is to Somalia as Okroshka is to Russia. 
This is a kind of cold soup with kefir. You can prepare this with kvass also. Kvass is a traditional Slavik drink. It is a little fermented, bread based beverage with natural carbonation. This is a non-alcoholic drink.
Now, let’s move on to preparing for Okroshka. For this recipe you need: boiled potato, fresh cucumber, radish, eggs, bologna, fresh dill, green onion and salt. The first thing I do is I mashed together dill and onion and salt to release their juices and aroma. After that I add diced potato, eggs, cucumbers and radish. Finally, I pour the kefir into the pot with the ingredients. And let Okroshka steep for around 15 minutes.
In my family this is the best dish in summer time. The hot weather and cold soup – it is the best combination! And I still eat it after I came to New York.
The first Okroshka in 2026 was yesterday! And it was delicious.
Are you determined and perseverant, like Jamal?
When I was young I thought that I was not a determined and perseverant person. Later I discovered that it was about me. I started running. And the run showed me how determined, perseverant and persistent I am. JOSÉ
CAMEL IS TO SOMALIA as Arepa is to Venezuela.
It’s like a circular tortilla.
How do you prepare it? → You need to combine cornmeal, water, and salt. And then just fry it or grill it on a griddle.
How often did you eat it in your homeland? → Everyday.
Do you STILL eat it even now that you live in New York? → Not really.
If you don’t eat it, do you miss it? → Yes I miss it.
After that, I started making desserts at home and selling them online.
Here is the Napoleon Cake:
Like Jamal, I also had a dream of opening my own cafe with my signature desserts, and I even took small steps toward it by selling my desserts online.
As I mentioned last week, I now only cook at home. I don’t do pastry anymore because of my health. I have diabetes, so I try to avoid sugar and eat healthy food.
2. I would describe myself as a determined and very curious person. I always enjoy learning new things and continuously improving myself.
As I mentioned last week, I have changed my path several times. I have changed my profession, left university, and even moved to different cities. I always try to move forward and choose what is best for my personal growth, because it is very important for me to keep developing. Many people around me, including some friends and even relatives, often told me that I shouldn’t change my profession and that I wouldn’t succeed. When I started my journey in design, some people also said that it was not the right path for me. There were always challenges and obstacles.
However, I didn’t give up. I kept going and overcame those challenges. After each step, I felt stronger and more confident, as if I was becoming a better version of myself. If I really want something, I always try to achieve it and not give up. Even when it is difficult, I keep going until I reach my goal.
Now I work as a product designer, and I truly enjoy what I do. I believe that being determined and open to change helps you grow and become a better version of yourself.