Cerra Cathryn Anderson
Harding University is home to a variety of students from a plethora of hometowns. Some students have called Searcy home since birth, but others travel dozens of hours in order to reach campus each year. Since Thanksgiving break falls so late in the semester, those students who live far away must come up with creative ways to spend their break — due to their travel being both expensive and time-consuming. Many students take advantage of their time in the states to visit nearby family and friends. Ada Lawrence, a senior from Anchorage, Alaska, shared her plans for Thanksgiving.
“[My plans have] been different every year,” Lawrence said. “I try to visit family in the lower 48 — either my aunt and uncle in Texas, grandparents in Florida, or my sister in Colorado.”
This year, Lawrence said she is visiting family in Tennessee, keeping up her tradition of visiting relatives.
Daniel Montero, a sophomore originally from Belize, also makes the most of his time in the states since his hometown is six to eight hours away by flight.
“Over Thanksgiving break, I usually visit family members in the US, so I get to spend quality time with them,” Montero said. “This year, I’m not planning to do anything special or different despite the short return to school before Christmas break, but I’m hoping to make the most of my time in Virginia.”
Since Belize does not celebrate Thanksgiving, Montero looks forward to spending time in the states with family to celebrate the holiday.
“I will also enjoy the break from the usual routine of classes before completing the semester,” Montero said.
Lauren Service, a senior from Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and a Harding soccer player, sometimes carpools home for the lengthy 15-hour drive, but also has spent the break with fellow teammates in the states.
“My junior year I flew to Florida and met with my dad,” Service said. “Since the break between Thanksgiving and Christmas is so small, it doesn’t make sense to see them. I always try to go somewhere different so I can experience more.”
This year, Service is attending a friend’s family’s Thanksgiving celebration in Beebe, Arkansas.
“I’m excited to have a new experience and meet new people,” Service said. “The families I go with are always extremely welcoming and kind and I love to experience the southern mom type of hospitality. American Thanksgiving is a big deal compared to Canadian Thanksgiving, and I love seeing the difference first-hand.”
Finlay Cummings, a senior from Bedford, United Kingdom, usually spends his Thanksgiving break at a friend’s house, or his girlfriend’s hometown in Texas.
“Normally, it is a nice time to relax and eat good food surrounded by family,” Cummings said. “I enjoy watching the NFL, so we usually go from the dining room table to the couch to watch football.”
Cummings said that though he wishes he could fly home, the short break makes it impractical. He is looking forward to a time of rest, however.
“During the semester I feel like I don’t stop,” Cummings said. “It will be nice to reset before one final push before the end of the semester.”
