Thanksgiving Break for International Students

Options for international students this Thanksgiving season

Thanksgiving is the chance to go home, spend some time with family and friends, and reflect on all the things we have and be grateful for them. However, Thanksgiving is an American holiday that began in the seventeenth century with the Pilgrims’ first feast.

So, where does that leave the Drury international students? They don’t celebrate the holiday and five days is not enough to travel all the way home.

The international students stay on campus while the domestic students have the chance to get away from the stress of assignments and the impending finals. Drury University makes sure the international students are not forgotten on this five-day break.

I had a conversation with Barry Armstrong, Director of International Support Services, and he has made it his mission to make sure every international student has the opportunity to leave campus just like any student.

For the exchange students on campus, they normally take a trip to experience America off campus. They are only here for a school year, so they wanted to see all that they could before going back to their homes. There are not very many chances with classes, studying, completing assignments, and any extracurriculars they want to join. Thanksgiving break is a great opportunity to get out and see what America has to offer.

The international students who are here for the long haul may not want to celebrate an all-American holiday. Drury makes it a point to emphasize what options there are for students who are staying during the break. The CX will be open every day, except on Thanksgiving, for lunchtime for students who are still on campus.

Armstrong also made sure that international students coming to Drury knew what the options were off campus, in case they wanted or needed to get groceries for themselves that are within walking distance.

For the few students who wanted to experience the Thanksgiving holiday had the chance to through the host family program. It was designed for international students to go home with Drury alumni and faculty, anyone who was interested, for the break. They could experience the traditional Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, or the host family could make something authentic to the students and their home country. It’s a little taste of home for those who are feeling a little homesick during this time of year.

Afterall, it’s not the kind of food you make but who you share it with that truly matters.

Have a great Thanksgiving break! 🦃🍗