Written by Sara Hook \/\/ Photo provided by Naomi McNaughton<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While most students at Harding head home to their families over Thanksgiving break, many international students don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe always have to figure out where we\u2019re going to go, or what are we going to do for each break,\u201d Melo said. \u201cEven though it\u2019s stressful at the beginning, it\u2019s actually like an opportunity to [see] new places, to meet new people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Melo, who is from Panama, spent Thanksgiving in Maryland with a friend\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior Marilena Frerot said there is a benefit in seeing other traditions and viewing them with an open mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt can be hard sometimes if you didn’t experience another culture to see the value in the difference,\u201d Frerot said. \u201cIt creates a greater understanding [of] the people who are not in their home country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanksgiving hasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d Mohie said. \u201cPeople 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosting an international student is always a rewarding experience for both parties, Melo said, and it also fills a need many students have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust take the opportunity,\u201d Melo said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to share our traditions. You\u2019re going to share your traditions, and honestly, we also really need it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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