Ibrahim Gardner
Thanksgiving is a well-known holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It's a time when Americans gather with their families and friends to share a large meal, often including traditional dishes like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, stuffing, and turkey. For international students studying in the US, this holiday can be an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture and connect with their peers and the local community. Many universities host Thanksgiving celebrations for students who remain on campus during the break, and some faculty members even open their homes to international students. Additionally, cities like New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago host famous Thanksgiving Day parades, providing a festive atmosphere for those who wish to travel and explore during the long weekend. International students can also choose to spend the break relaxing, reflecting on what they are grateful for, and enjoying the scenic autumn colours that the season offers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spend time with family and friends | International students might not have family nearby, but they can spend time with friends and other students who also stay on campus during the break. |
| Meals | International students can either cook their own traditional meals or try traditional Thanksgiving food, such as turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and stuffing. |
| Explore | International students can explore the local area, including nearby cities and rural landscapes, during the long weekend that many schools offer for Thanksgiving. |
| Learn about the history | International students can learn about the history of Thanksgiving, which dates back to 1620 when a group of colonists left Plymouth, England, for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. |
| Parades | International students can watch parades, such as the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, to get into the holiday spirit. |
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What You'll Learn
Explore the local area or nearby cities
As an international student, you might not have the money to travel home during the Thanksgiving break. However, this is a great opportunity to explore the local area or nearby cities.
If you're based in a city, you could try exploring some of the rural landscapes and small towns nearby. For example, if you're in Boston, you could take a bus or train to spend the day in the Greater Boston Area. You could also visit some of the other nearby cities in New England, such as New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Providence, which are all within easy reach of Cambridge.
If you're based in a small town, you could take the opportunity to visit a nearby city for a day trip or a weekend. For example, if you're in Cambridge, you could take a 20-minute train ride to the centre of Boston, where you can explore the city and enjoy the views along the harbour. You could walk along Newbury Street, sit in Boston Commons, visit the port, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at the Boston Public Library, and try out one of the many restaurants the city has to offer.
You could also take the time to explore your local area in more depth. For example, you could stage a fall photo shoot in your neighbourhood or a nearby park, dressing up in autumnal attire and recruiting friends or cousins to take part.
Thanksgiving break is a great opportunity to take a step back from the stress of college life and explore the local area or nearby cities, so make the most of it!
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Learn about the history of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It is also celebrated in Canada, where it is known as American Thanksgiving. The modern national celebration dates to 1863 and has been linked to the Pilgrims' 1621 harvest festival since the late 19th century.
The formation of Thanksgiving as an official United States holiday began in November 1863 during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln officially established the holiday as a way to improve relations between northern and southern states, as well as between the U.S. and tribal nations.
The holiday has its roots in the New England colonists' tradition of regularly celebrating "Thanksgivings", days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought. The U.S. Continental Congress proclaimed a national Thanksgiving upon the enactment of the Constitution, but after 1798, the new U.S. Congress left Thanksgiving declarations to the states.
Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modelled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the European colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. However, the true history of Thanksgiving is more complex and involves centuries of brutality against Native Americans, including genocide, mass land theft, and broken treaties.
While the Thanksgiving celebrated today may not have completely factual roots, Native Americans, Europeans, and other cultures across the world have held festivals and special meals in gratitude for bountiful harvests and to reflect on the past year. Many Native Americans continue these traditions by sharing meals with friends and loved ones without referring to it as "Thanksgiving".
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Take part in a university celebration
If you're an international student at a university in the United States, you might find yourself with a long weekend to yourself during the Thanksgiving break. Many students head home to their families, but international students often don't have that option. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get involved with the festivities and enjoy the holiday.
One way to do this is to take part in a university celebration. Many universities host events specifically for international students who don't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. For example, The Ohio State University holds an annual meal that, in 2012, drew 1,600 guests. Purdue University's international volunteer program, Boiler Out, has offered students the opportunity to help out at a community Thanksgiving meal for families in need. At Harvard, the university's dining services staff put on a themed feast with traditional food and decorations.
If you're looking for a more intimate celebration, you could accept an invitation from an American friend. Many students are excited to share their traditions with international friends and include them in their celebrations. You could also invite some friends over and cook a traditional Thanksgiving meal yourself.
If you're looking to get off campus, many cities across the United States hold parades and other events to celebrate Thanksgiving. Some examples include the Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, and McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago. These events can be a great way to learn more about American culture and history while also enjoying the holiday spirit.
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Spend time with an American family
If you're an international student in the US, you might find yourself on an empty campus during the Thanksgiving break. However, some students get to spend this time with an American family.
Making Friends with Americans
One way to get to know Americans is to join a community meal. For example, Purdue University's international volunteer program, Boiler Out, offers students the opportunity to help out at a community Thanksgiving meal for local families in need. Students serving the meal can also join the families at the table. This is a great way to meet Americans and learn about American culture.
Being Invited to an American Home
Some Americans open up their homes to international students. For example, Cathy Lee Arcuino and her boyfriend, Bill Daneke, host an annual Thanksgiving banquet for students, family, and friends. Arcuino, the director of international programs and services, was inspired to host this banquet after spending many holidays alone while living abroad. Similarly, English instructor Sarah Mannix at Old Dominion University hosts a Thanksgiving meal for her students.
What to Expect
Thanksgiving in the United States revolves around family, friends, togetherness, and food. It's a good idea to watch some videos on YouTube beforehand to learn about the history of the holiday. You can also expect to eat turkey, as this is a traditional Thanksgiving food. Many Americans also talk about what they are thankful for before the Thanksgiving meal. If you'd like, you can bring food from your home country to share.
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Enjoy the peace and quiet
If you're an international student, you might find yourself alone on campus during Thanksgiving. While some students get to experience the holiday with American friends or their boyfriend's family, others might not have the money to travel home during the break. If you're spending Thanksgiving alone on campus, here are some ways to enjoy the peace and quiet:
Stay in your pajamas
Get comfy and relax in your pajamas. Do a skincare routine and light a candle. Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Read a poem aloud or silently, then blow out the candle.
Binge-watch your favorite shows
Stay in bed and watch Netflix or your favorite anime. If you're feeling homesick, watch some movies or TV shows from your home country.
Listen to music
Create a playlist of songs that make you feel good and listen to music that helps you feel less alone.
Connect with nature
Take a walk in a nearby park or explore rural landscapes and small towns by taking a bus or train.
Connect with friends and family back home
Reach out to your friends and family back home. Text, call, or use Voxer to stay in touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Many universities offer their own Thanksgiving celebrations for students who don't have the option to travel. For example, Ohio State University hosts an annual Thanksgiving feast, and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, has students and faculty who host international students in their homes.
Thanksgiving traditions include parades, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, Michigan, and Chicago's McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade. There is also the pardoning of turkeys by the US president, which has been a tradition since the mid-1900s.
Traditional Thanksgiving foods include mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, stuffing, and turkey.
