International Student Affairs Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

This year the annual International Student Affairs Thanksgiving Dinner was held on Monday, November 23. International Student Affairs hosted about 70 students who feasted on traditional Thanksgiving favorites such as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn bread and pumpkin pie.

Natalie Caesar, assistant director of International Student Affairs gave a fantastic presentation covering the historical significance of “turkey day” celebrations and a brief history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Students were surprised to learn that many of the foods we prepare in a modern-day Thanksgiving are quite different from those that were served at the first Thanksgiving such as waterfowl and venison.

As dinner winded down, students made turkey door decorations while discussing plans to attend holiday home stays, “friends-giving”, Black Friday shopping and viewing the Macy’s parade.

Guest Blogger: Lauren Krampen, Graduate Assistant, International Student Affairs

Thanksgiving Homestay

During this Thanksgiving break, the Office of Parent and Family Programs and the Multicultural & International Student Programs Office (MISPO) offered a “Thanksgiving Homestay” for Hofstra students to experience this U.S. Holiday at someone’s home.  Last year, two international students celebrated with one family.  This year, two families of current Hofstra students hosted six international students.  This was the first Thanksgiving for most of these students.  Here is the student account of their stay: 

From Xiaokan Chen, the J-1 exchange student from China:

“I really enjoyed the Thanksgiving at the Mohammed family. They are very nice and wonderful people! We had great dinner, pleasant chats and watched a wonderful movie together. Thank you so much for such a wonderful program! This would be one of my best experience in America.”

From Yina Peng, the first year graduate school student from China:

“I really appreciate that I had this wonderful experience. This is a great chance to get familiar with the American life and different custom. 

I stayed with Mr. Murray, Alan's family for three days. And I learned a lot of American and Latin American traditional food. Everything was so new to me. We cooked the thanksgiving dinner together and drove around their small town. We had a lot of fun and I hope I can keep in contact with this nice family. 

I'm very grateful to the Office of Parent and Family Programs, MISPO, and this wonderful volunteer family! ”

If your family is interested in hosting students for future events (both international and U.S. students who can’t get home for Thanksgiving), please have them contact parents@hofstra.edu.