International students do Thanksgiving better

Staying on campus for Thanksgiving is kind of like being here for actual Halloween – a complete anticlimax after Dranksgiving and Princetonween.

No one’s on campus during fall break except athletes, and no one’s on campus during Thanksgiving except lonely, sad, forlorn international students who weren’t lucky enough to score an invitation to an NJ friend’s family gathering.

We talked to a few internationals about whether they’re looking forward to or dreading this all-American holiday—described by one British girl as a “food orgy” and by another as one of her “favorite holidays of the year.”

Looks like at least a few international students will be spending their breaks tasting delicious Thanksgiving food (marshmallows and sweet potatoes, anyone?) and trying not to get trampled at Black Friday sales.

Katrina, sophomore, from Manchester, England

My roommate Avanthi lives in Princeton, so I’m going to spend Thanksgiving with her family again this year. I become the fifth Cole when I’m there.

What’s it like being an international during this time of the year?

People are like, are you going to see your family over Thanksgiving? I just let it sit for a second, and then I’m like, no. Obviously not.

What do you think of Thanksgiving as a holiday here?

Thanksgiving is just a food orgy in general, which I can totally get down with. To be honest, it’s not surprising – it’s America.

Will you go shopping on Black Friday?

I don’t want to die.

Maha, freshman, from British Columbia, Canada

I’ll be celebrating my first American Thanksgiving. I’m looking forward to the turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie – and to sitting around the table with the people I love.

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving too, right? What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

Thanksgiving for me is a time to reflect and be grateful. Although I’m away from my family for the holiday, when I look around the Princeton campus, I realize that this is home – these people are family. Wherever in the world we celebrate Thanksgiving, it’s important that we give thanks for what we have, celebrate with those we love, and share with those less fortunate.

Becky, sophomore, from Manchester, England

I’m going to my roommate’s house in Virginia again this year. I actually really love Thanksgiving – it’s become one of my favorite holidays of the year. It’s not about presents or anything like that, it’s about being together with people you love and giving thanks for the good things that happened that year.

Will you be going Black Friday shopping?

No. That’s scary. My total knowledge about Black Friday is people getting trampled.

Jin, junior, from Hong Kong

I’m staying on campus for most of the break, but I’m going to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving dinner itself.

What’s it like to be an international student on Thanksgiving?

This is always the hardest time of the year – knowing that everyone else can go home and see their family, and knowing what I’m missing out on. I’m excited for an all-American Thanksgiving dinner, though.

Cecily, freshman, from Cambridge, England

I actually have family in America. I’m going to go spend Thanksgiving with my dad’s dad, in New York City. My mum’s also here at the moment, because she had to come to Philly for a conference, so she’s staying over for the holiday. It’ll be my first American thanksgiving.

Anything you’re particularly looking forward to?

Food! I’m mesmerized by the idea of mashed sweet potato and marshmallow, which I’ve only seen in photos so far. But those are two of my favorite things, and I hope that they will come together into something beautiful.

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Thanksgiving can be a mixed bag for students who live far away, and all these girls were lucky enough to have somewhere close by to go for Thanksgiving dinner. (It seems like there might be some truth to the myth Princeton pairs international students with locals?)

If you’re staying on campus over break and you’re resenting all your friends’ Instagram snaps of family gatherings and turkey with stuffing, keep your chin up: at least we internationals have the prospect of $500 from Princeton hitting our bank accounts in December to “defray travel costs” this winter break (yes, even the Canadians…sucks to live in California).

Until then, we’ll just try to swallow our turkey and stuffing without choking on homesickness.