Hi, so im going on a high school exchange trip to the Czech Republic soon and really can't figure out what to bring that's "american" that they dont already have.

I was thinking of gifting some girl scouts cookies. Lots of people I know said candy, but im pretty sure they already have access to much of the same candy we have here.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


36 comments

  1. Check for locally produced things. For example where I live MI has a lot of cherry items due to the cherry orchards so I will bring stuff from Cherry Republic that you can’t really get outside of MI.

  4. I would think local, like maple syrup if you are in the northeast, or locally made salsa if you are from the southwest, etc.

  5. Something local to you and nice. A good snack, chocolate, jam, whatever. 

    Girl Scout cookies sounds like a great start. 

  6. Maple syrup, hot sauce, and a variety of Mexican spices are a good start.

    You should also bring something distinct to your town or region, that could be just about anything. I’d bring a deck of cards with a Michigan theme on the back and the rules to euchre.

  7. Is there a local chocolatier near you or something of local flavor? (Near me, I know of a locally made luxury chocolate place and there’s New England maple syrup, and some things like that.)

    Since they can technically access most anything they could want for day-to-day life at the local shopping mall, choosing something local with a story about where it comes from is nice.

  8. A football or baseball jersey from your local team. A teeshirt from a local amusement park/zoo or well known place.

  9. If you have access to a kitchen, my Slovenian in laws basically require that I make enchiladas when we visit. I bring New Mexico chile powder to make the sauce and masa to make tortillas. All other ingredients or substitutions can be found. It’s a tradition at this point and is a huge hit. Mexican or even Americanized Mexican food in Europe is unfortunately an abomination. Enchiladas are definitely a component in US culture at this point much like kebab is ingrained in Europe

  10. I brought a regional cookbook and a set of measuring cups. My friend brought photos she had taken ofwhere she lived that were made into greeting cards.

  15. What’s your home state?
    I would bring something from either your home state or your home region. Somebody from Georgia is going to have significantly different “American” stuff then somebody from PNW or Maine.

  16. Do you have a local cookie, bbq sauce, or the like that they might enjoy? When I worked in China I would bring back a mix of local goods and name brand items and treats for coworkers. School shirts, local sports team stuff, maple syrup, salsa, whatever your region is known for would be good.

  19. Maple syrup is the right answer. Also, when coming back to the US, make sure to bring some Studentska chocolate with you. Delicious!

  20. First, get a nice shopping bag from a local shop, like a canvas Trader Joes bag or similar (the TJ’s bags were a hit on TT this summer and the ‘basic’ one is sold out in most places because of it. I’ve had loads of friends in the UK ask me to pick them up when I visit the US)

    Then, fill the bag with American things. I’d normally add an alcohol but that’s not age appropriate here! So in no order, some ideas gleaned from the things people tend to like when I bring them overseas: Blue Diamond Smokehouse almonds, peanut butter M&Ms (or any of the weirder M&MS), plastic jar of Welch’s grape jelly (they will have some kind of peanut butter over there but you can also get a small thing of Jif or something), BBQ Fritos or similar, graham crackers with cinnamon (or any cinnamon themed cookie if you have them). Or just whatever local specialties your area might have.

  21. My Dutch friends absolutely love US brownie mixes. The ones in continental Europe are miles below the U.S. brands.

  22. I hear they go nuts for red Solo cups. They see them in movies but don’t really believe they exist.

  23. $2 dollar bills are always a neat gift to give out. I take some on my travels to give to people who I have longer interactions with, not sure if it is really a family type gift, but I get a good reception with them from people.

  24. Depends on where you’re from. Don’t bring something if it’s not authentic to you and/or where you come from.

    For example, I’m good friends with a bakery owner in Rome and we’re both Buffalo Bills fans. So, next time I’m out there, I’m gonna bring him some merch and buffalo sauce.

    If that doesn’t help you choose something, feel free to ask them. Europeans tend to be very direct. They may very well vastly prefer you bring something niche they’ve never tried and have always wished to, but would never have gotten the chance to because you’d never think of it. Each corner of Europe has their own little thing they like over here and vice versa. You could bring them something uniquely North American like maple syrup, but if they have no idea how to use it and no desire to learn (or, as inconceivable as it may be, dislike it), then it’s not going to be half the gift, even as a surprise, that something they’ve always wished for, and knew was coming, would be.

    TLDR: If nothing jumps out to you as a great idea to show them YOUR corner of America (as we are hardly a culturally homogenous group), ask them what, if anything, they’ve always wanted to try.

  25. Before you try to bring any food items, make sure you check their customs and what items you are allowed to bring. Some countries will not allow you as an individual to bring certain food stuffs (typically meat or plants, but there are some crazy rules) into the country.

    As for a gift, you can also think of things that are uniquely in your area of the States. For instance, someone from Philly could bring Tastykakes or Eagles/Phillies attire. It makes a gift a bit more personal as well. You are sharing part of your town’s culture vs your country’s

  26. If you are in contact with them already, you could ask if there are any American snacks they want to try. My girlfriend lives overseas and I have done that with her family. There were a bunch of TikTok snacks they wanted to try, like Takis for example.

  28. Food wise, all my European friends loved…

    – American chips
    – American candy (think peanut butter cups)
    – fixings for tacos
    – queso or cheese dip

    If you want to go classier, I saw people put maple syrup. I think that’s a good win as well. You could also go for a nice wine, or other regional specialty. There’s other things you might be able to do, and it might be worth inquiring if they have any taste preferences.

  30. Whatever you bring, put it in a traders joes reusable grocery bag. Apparently they are hard to get outside of US.

  31. Lay’s potato chips and no Europe, East or West, don’t have out flavors. I hear ranch dressing is also a surprising treat, they don’t commonly have it in Europe.

  32. Many Europeans love peanut butter M&Ms. We are always asked to bring those. My daughter brought little paint canvasses and acrylics so she could make requested paintings for her host families, that was a big hit.

  33. I have a European friend who goes nuts over the dried California apricots dipped in dark chocolate that I send her at Christmas. Pecans are native to the Americas and are uncommon in Europe, so spiced pecans are another good bet, particularly if you’re from the South.

  35. Packing-friendly: a wall calendar with American scenes (national parks or something special to your area like desert wildflowers). Maple candy, as others have mentioned. Boxes of tea with lots of English words on them (like Celestial Seasonings).

    A lot of Eastern European families have a tea tradition, where they share a pot of tea and pass around a box of candy. Very small jars of jams, preserves, Hawaiian honey, orange or tangerine marmalade from Florida, apple butter. Take several English comic books for children in your family/neighborhood or to share with the English teachers at your school.

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