You have a lot of misplaced commas and extra words that makes the essay distracting.
Throughout that year I learned their cultures from the type of foods they ate, to the different celebrations they had.
Throughout that year, I learned their cultures from the type of foods they ate to the different celebrations they had.
For example beans are called frijoles in Mexico, gandules in Puerto Rico, and abichuelas in Peru.
For example, beans are called frijoles in Mexico, gandules in Puerto Rico, and abichuelas in Peru.
Even the way the Spanish is spoken varies from country to country.
Even the way Spanish is spoken varies from country to country.
Also, try to avoid passive voice.