Written by Sara Hook // Photo provided by Naomi McNaughton
While most students at Harding head home to their families over Thanksgiving break, many international students don’t have that option. Because the campus dorms close, most international students have to look for a place to stay. Sophomore Ana Gabriela Melo said the first option is to ask roommates, friends or club members, and it usually ends up being a good experience.
“We always have to figure out where we’re going to go, or what are we going to do for each break,” Melo said. “Even though it’s stressful at the beginning, it’s actually like an opportunity to [see] new places, to meet new people.”
Melo, who is from Panama, spent Thanksgiving in Maryland with a friend’s family. During the break they saw the White House and went ice skating, which she had never done before. Melo said she enjoyed those new experiences, which changed her perspective of how beautiful and different cities in the United States are.
Junior Marilena Frerot said there is a benefit in seeing other traditions and viewing them with an open mindset.
“It can be hard sometimes if you didn’t experience another culture to see the value in the difference,” Frerot said. “It creates a greater understanding [of] the people who are not in their home country.”
Thanksgiving hasn’t always looked the same for senior Hannah Mohie, as with many international students, and she said it can be difficult to adapt to a different culture. This year she spent Thanksgiving with her family, who recently moved to Atlanta from Nigeria, but in previous years she stayed with different friends during the break.
“It was challenging for me, not in terms of finding where to stay but just not really having a home since I came here in 2019,” Mohie said. “People around here are really kind and supportive, but throughout my time here there have been several moments that I felt very alone and just very far away from my family.”
Hosting an international student is always a rewarding experience for both parties, Melo said, and it also fills a need many students have.
“Just take the opportunity,” Melo said. “We’re going to share our traditions. You’re going to share your traditions, and honestly, we also really need it.”
