In reflecting on my interventions, I recognised not only the potential of food culture in promoting cross-cultural communication and adaptation but also some shortcomings and limitations in my research. Among these, the lack of participant diversity and the inherent limitations of food culture as a medium are two critical issues that need deeper reflection. These challenges not only restricted the effectiveness of my interventions but also offer valuable directions for future research and practice.

Lack of Participant Diversity

In both interventions, although I intended to invite migrant youth from diverse backgrounds, the actual participants were predominantly from a few specific cultural groups. This lack of diversity might impact the interventions in two significant ways.

Firstly, the limited cultural backgrounds of participants reduced the generalisability of the findings in broader cross-cultural research. While participants successfully reconstructed their cultural identities by sharing food from their hometowns, the narrow cultural sample meant that these exchanges were more reflective of internal cultural resonance than true cross-cultural dialogue. For instance, certain dietary habits common to some cultures may have been overly emphasised in the interventions, while perspectives from other cultures were not mentioned.

Secondly, the lack of diversity may have led participants to focus more on cultural similarities than differences. While this phenomenon could strengthen individuals’ connection to their own culture, it may have limited their understanding of other cultures. For example, in the discussion session of the second intervention, many participants highlighted the importance of food in conveying family values but did not explore how this theme might manifest differently across other cultures. This indicates that insufficient diversity not only narrowed the scope of discussions but also hindered participants’ awareness of the complexities within cultural differences.

To address this issue, I think my future research should prioritise greater diversity among participants. This could involve inviting individuals from a wider range of regions and cultural backgrounds and including more local residents as comparison groups. Such approach would not only broaden the discussions but also create a more authentic environment for cross-cultural interaction. Additionally, increasing diversity could also help uncover the shared and unique aspects of different cultural adaptation patterns, thereby making the research findings more broadly applicable.

Limitations of Food Culture as a Medium

As the medium of the interventions, food culture demonstrated its effectiveness in fostering emotional connections and cultural exchange. However, its limitations became increasingly apparent during the interventions.

Firstly, the depth of cultural expression through food often depended on participants’ ability to articulate their experiences. In both interventions, participants focused more on the sensory aspects and preparation of food, with less attention given to the cultural meanings behind it. For example, in the first intervention, one participant shared the unique flavour of a spice from their hometown but did not talk about how this flavour reflected cultural values or identity. This superficial discussion may stem from the inherent limitations of food as a medium, as well as a lack of targeted guidance in the intervention design.

Secondly, the function of food culture in cross-cultural communication risks being reduced to a surface-level experience. While participants formed initial cultural connections through food sharing, these connections often remained at the sensory level rather than leading to a deeper cultural understanding. For instance, many participants expressed interest in unfamiliar ingredients during the intervention, but this interest was more about the novelty of the ingredients than their cultural significance. This may reduce the depth of cultural exchange.

Conclusion

These limitations remind me that, while food is a powerful cultural medium, its impact is constrained by various factors. Thus, my future research should not only focus on enhancing the diversity of participants and the depth of cultural expression, as well as examine food culture within broader social and cultural contexts. Such approach would better identify effective ways to support cultural adaptation and cross-cultural communication for migrant communities.