Louise H. is a Local Coordinator with Academic Year in America in the Virginia and Maryland area. She recently took a group of exchange students and their host families to participate in an interesting cultural experience, the International Doughnut Research Academy. The group visited three doughnut restaurants to learn about this iconic American treat: Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and Duck Doughnuts.
At these locations, the group learned about how doughnuts are made and tasted samples, and they were introduced to different company models and marketing strategies for growth. The participants then broke into two smaller groups to perform a taste test comparing similar doughnuts from each location by completing a survey and learning about market research.
At Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, they learned how the company expanded their business by partnering in school fundraisers and partnering with gas station markets. The group got to see the doughnuts being made and tasted the company’s famous hot, glazed doughnuts fresh from being made.
At Dunkin Donuts, the group learned how the company expanded their business into a fast food restaurant, adding sandwiches and meals to go with their donuts. Here the manager took the group to the back of the store and showed them how the business operates.
At Duck Doughnuts, the group learned about efforts to succeed with competition from larger stakeholders in the doughnut market. They are a smaller company originally from Duck, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and they make each doughnut to order. Here the group watched individual “designer doughnuts” being made to order.
At each doughnut shop, the group sampled glazed doughnuts and powdered sugar doughnuts for the taste test experiment. They cut the doughnuts in half, to minimize the sugar high everyone would have by the end of the day. After the group tasted doughnuts in all three stores, they divided into a Blue team and a White team. Students acted as data collectors and interviewed each person to collect information. Then they had to compile their data and give a report to the group.
The student reflections on the experiment demonstrate how this very fun activity provided a great learning experience. Some students enjoyed meeting other exchange students and their families. Others were inspired to think about starting businesses in their home countries. Generally, students shared that they enjoyed the experience and demonstrate how cultural exchange is a fluid, ongoing process through every interaction and experience available.
Nia A., a FLEX student from Georgia shared:
I haven’t met a person who doesn’t like doughnuts. They are so popular in the U.S. This activity made me see the difference between doughnut companies, their techniques and actual doughnuts. We saw the process of cooking which was really interesting.
Before I came here I only know about one big doughnut company which has restaurants in my country too, but after this day, I realize that small and less known companies can produce better goods than huge ones.
I know a lot of people who bake doughnuts at home, and I know a lot of others who like eating doughnuts, so someone should start a doughnut business. Every company started somewhere. I think we can make it happen so that Dunkin Donuts won’t be the only doughnut place anymore. I will try to convince others to start making doughnuts and tell them about techniques that I became familiar with today.
All three companies had different technologies and machines and their doughnuts tasted way different from each other, even though they had the same topping.
Americans are really creative, they invent different flavors, have different shape and filling of doughnuts on different holidays what makes it more fun and attracts more people. I’m grateful for this activity, because I’m a doughnut lover and finally found the best company that I haven’t heard about before – Duck Donuts, which is a way smaller company but in my opinion makes the best doughnuts.
Mariya B., a FLEX student from Ukraine shared:
The best and longest breakfast ever! We went to Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts, and Duck Doughnuts. We tried the same type of doughnut in different places. We compared the taste and business practices of area doughnut companies. Also, we took the tour of the kitchen, so we had a chance to see behind the scenes how to make doughnuts.
We learned about diversity, because each doughnut is different. They have different shape, texture, decoration, size and taste. My group was also diverse. We come together through this program, and we are able to share our culture with each other.
I learned more about U.S. history this weekend. Interesting for me fact: the doughnut hole was invented in the mid-nineteenth century by 16-year-old Hanson Gregory. I also realized that doughnut and coffee are big part of American life.
I asked the manager in one of the doughnut shops what they did with oddly shaped doughnuts. He said that they donated them. That conversation made me think about this problem in my home country. Sometimes, restaurants discard food if it’s not perfect.
In the end of our activity, we did a survey, and we collected data about people’s preference of doughnuts. I’ll take this skill with me, because now I’m not afraid to ask unknown people’s opinion about something.
Tatev K., a FLEX student from Armenia shared:
I have always known that Americans like donuts, and now that I’ve tried different types of donuts, I have more imagination about what people here like. After we tasted the donuts, we needed to take survey on our group to find out which donuts were the best. That’s when I learned more about leadership.
I know that a lot of people like donuts, and that helps me understand what taste they have.
This activity illustrated the diversity between my country and America. People in different parts of the world have different tastes and like different things. When I return home, I will show them how to make donuts so they know what Americans like, too.
It was awesome that I was with my host family and other exchange students and their families! Everybody enjoyed their time and had lots of fun. The best thing is it was something new for the Americans, too. I’m glad that AYA gives us the chance to know America better, widening our view. I’m glad that with AYA we can bring the world together.
Learn more about cultural exchange with Academic Year in America by visiting: www.academicyear.org.
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