From the Kitchen to the Campground: Culinary School Grad Spreads Kindness (and S’mores!)

August 4, 2025

We love seeing our Culinary School graduates out in the world doing what they love—and when they’re making a difference in the lives of others along the way, we’re even prouder.

Meet Karen Schuster, a Harrington resident and April graduate of our Culinary School at the Milford campus. Since completing the program, Karen hasn’t just landed job offers—she’s opened her heart and kitchen to a group of international students spending the summer in Delaware.

Karen is staying at the Jellystone Park™ Delaware Beaches campground, just south of Milford. It’s there that she met six J-1 visa students working for the summer. (In case you’re not familiar, the J-1 is a cultural exchange visa that allows students from around the world to work and experience life in the U.S.)

Karen instantly connected with the students—and quickly became their “American mom.”

“My wife has always enjoyed helping others,” said her husband, Matthew. “Now she’s like a mother figure to these students, introducing them to American culture and making them feel at home.”

Every week, Karen prepares a home-cooked meal for the group, introducing them to classic American comfort foods like hot dogs, burgers, grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, pizza, and s’mores. It’s no surprise that everything has been a hit!

But Karen’s kindness doesn’t stop at the dinner table. She hosts movie nights (complete with popcorn), takes the students on local adventures, and even started a book club to help them practice English.

“I’m like a motherly figure to them,” Karen said. “I do it because I like it.”

The students clearly appreciate her support. “She is very friendly and good at cooking—my American mommy,” said Amanda from Taiwan. Jake from Ecuador added, “I am thankful to meet her. She makes it more enjoyable.”

Karen’s passion for cooking runs deep. In addition to her training at the Culinary School, she previously took cooking classes while living in Japan. She’s also no stranger to giving back—her volunteer résumé includes preparing meals for the homeless, disaster survivors, and serving on the kitchen team at her local firehouse.