UV experiences Thanksgiving
Steven VanderVelde
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: News
International students got a taste of American culture at the University Village Thanksgiving dinner this past Wednesday. A traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings was served to any UV residents who wished to attend.
Abbas Hill, the assistant director of housing and residential education, said that the event was especially meant for any UV students who could not be home with their family for the holiday, domestic and international students alike.
Yet, for many of the international students, it was their first taste of the holiday season in the U.S.
Hill said, "International students are a significant part of this event because sharing our culture with them is very important. They bring so much diversity to the PUC campus. It is our hope that they take away a glimpse of the holiday's family unity and good times from this dinner."
International students from China said they have a similar holiday in autumn that is a time for family to come together. Being students at a college in a foreign country, they are not able to be with their family while nearly all domestic UV students are back home for the holiday. They were grateful for the Thanksgiving dinner and the time to be with the new family they made here at PUC.
Duran Chang, an international student majoring in electrical engineering, said, "For many of us, it is our first time living in a dorm, let alone another country. Some people get very homesick, others can't get used to the food and the way people talk here is so different. It is nice for us all to be able to come together here and celebrate as a sort of family."
Over 50 UV residents attended the event, most of whom were international students from China. Yet, international and domestic students were able to sit down at the same tables and enjoy the meal together. It was this contact and first-hand experience that Hill hoped to see UV students engage in.
"We hope to provide a comfortable environment for all students to come together, interact and enjoy good times," said Hill. "International students' experiences here at PUC should be as positive and diversified as those of any other student."
Reflecting on the cleaned plate before him, Chang said, "Thanksgiving in my opinion is a holiday for people to help each other, to give unforgettable moments, especially for foreigners. You are hosting for us and we really appreciate it. We will mark this holiday as very important."
Abbas Hill, the assistant director of housing and residential education, said that the event was especially meant for any UV students who could not be home with their family for the holiday, domestic and international students alike.
Yet, for many of the international students, it was their first taste of the holiday season in the U.S.
Hill said, "International students are a significant part of this event because sharing our culture with them is very important. They bring so much diversity to the PUC campus. It is our hope that they take away a glimpse of the holiday's family unity and good times from this dinner."
International students from China said they have a similar holiday in autumn that is a time for family to come together. Being students at a college in a foreign country, they are not able to be with their family while nearly all domestic UV students are back home for the holiday. They were grateful for the Thanksgiving dinner and the time to be with the new family they made here at PUC.
Duran Chang, an international student majoring in electrical engineering, said, "For many of us, it is our first time living in a dorm, let alone another country. Some people get very homesick, others can't get used to the food and the way people talk here is so different. It is nice for us all to be able to come together here and celebrate as a sort of family."
Over 50 UV residents attended the event, most of whom were international students from China. Yet, international and domestic students were able to sit down at the same tables and enjoy the meal together. It was this contact and first-hand experience that Hill hoped to see UV students engage in.
"We hope to provide a comfortable environment for all students to come together, interact and enjoy good times," said Hill. "International students' experiences here at PUC should be as positive and diversified as those of any other student."
Reflecting on the cleaned plate before him, Chang said, "Thanksgiving in my opinion is a holiday for people to help each other, to give unforgettable moments, especially for foreigners. You are hosting for us and we really appreciate it. We will mark this holiday as very important."
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