This Thanksgiving many UW-Madison students will flock home to their families and turkeys. However, for international students, home may be too far away to return to for the short break, and many do not wish to pass up the chance to experience this very American holiday. For these students, there are a number of programs available to help them have an authentic Thanksgiving.
This past Sunday, the International Student Services Bridge program held an International Thanksgiving potluck dinner that was attended by approximately 80 international students.
'A lot of the students are from countries where Thanksgiving is not a national holiday ?? many are aware of what the holiday entails in terms of turkey, cranberries and vegetables, but the history could often be explained a bit better,' MayLee Moua-Vue, the Bridge program coordinator said.
UW-Madison plays host to international students from over 105 different countries throughout the year. 'During the holiday many international students do not have anywhere to go because home is fairly far for most of them,' Moua-Vue said. 'So they stay here and spend the holiday on their own.'
While being alone for the holiday break does not bother some international students, it can be tough for others used to being around their families and friends. The Madison Friends of International Students is an organization that through its Holiday Hospitality program, seeks to place international students with local families to spend the holiday with.
'We have a large core of volunteer families. This year, even as of now I still have about 15 families waiting, wanting to have students for the holiday. The number of families wanting students this year has always seemed to exceed the number of students who've applied,' Holiday Hospitality chairperson Kathy Granquist said. According to Granquist, this year about 50 UW international students, many from Asia and a few from India and Europe, have been placed with families. These families often hear of the program through its website, from local churches around campus, and by word of mouth. 'It's a wonderful warm outreach on the part of the community,' Granquist said.
