International students celebrate Thanksgiving
Maiko Michishita
Issue date: 11/24/08 Section: Lifestyles
During Thanksgiving break, most American students will return home to celebrate with their families and friends. But how do international students celebrate?
Thanksgiving International is an annual program that offers an opportunity for those who don't know what American home life is like on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving International is co-sponsored by the International Students and Scholars and the Spring International Language Center. The two organizations match preferences and availabilities between a group of about three or four students and a host family to spend a couple of hours together to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving International started more than six years ago, even before the ISS office and the SILC began organizing the program together. Each office has been organizing similar programs before to offer students an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with host families. They realized they should work together to help students and families fulfill their needs.
So far, about 70 students from 25 different countries like Vietnam, Mexico, Spain, China and Columbia are going to celebrate Thanksgiving with American families, said Cynthia Smith, outreach coordinator at ISS.
"Thanksgiving is the holiday that almost all American people celebrate," Smith said.
Students will be able to go to an American home and experience American culture. This program is a great opportunity for students who might not have a connection with any host families, she said.
Thanksgiving International provides international students the opportunity to get out of their apartments and dorms, said Jimmy Bowie, student service coordinator at the SILC.
"They will be part of American families for a couple of hours," he said.
Thanksgiving International also gives Spring International students a chance to speak English with American families and gives families a chance to have good conversations with their students, talking about their culture or food, he said.
Thanksgiving International is an annual program that offers an opportunity for those who don't know what American home life is like on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving International is co-sponsored by the International Students and Scholars and the Spring International Language Center. The two organizations match preferences and availabilities between a group of about three or four students and a host family to spend a couple of hours together to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving International started more than six years ago, even before the ISS office and the SILC began organizing the program together. Each office has been organizing similar programs before to offer students an opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with host families. They realized they should work together to help students and families fulfill their needs.
So far, about 70 students from 25 different countries like Vietnam, Mexico, Spain, China and Columbia are going to celebrate Thanksgiving with American families, said Cynthia Smith, outreach coordinator at ISS.
"Thanksgiving is the holiday that almost all American people celebrate," Smith said.
Students will be able to go to an American home and experience American culture. This program is a great opportunity for students who might not have a connection with any host families, she said.
Thanksgiving International provides international students the opportunity to get out of their apartments and dorms, said Jimmy Bowie, student service coordinator at the SILC.
"They will be part of American families for a couple of hours," he said.
Thanksgiving International also gives Spring International students a chance to speak English with American families and gives families a chance to have good conversations with their students, talking about their culture or food, he said.
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