Thanksgiving celebrates the first successful harvest in the colonies. The pilgrims along with the Indians, held a multiple day-long festival in celebration of the harvest. It now occurs annually on the fourth Thursday of November and the bounty of food is celebrated with friends and family.
It is personally one of my favorite holidays. My relatives live quite far away and I do not get to see them often, so when I was young, my grandparents began the tradition of flying out to visit every Thanksgiving. It is a very special time for me because my grandmother and I prepare most of the food together. The cooking of the turkey is delegated to my father. Traditional dishes served at the Thanksgiving meal include: turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and pumpkin pie—along with many others. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York attracts millions of viewers every year. Those who don’t attend, often watch the parade on television. It is a wonderful holiday centered around spending time with people you love and being thankful for all of the things in your life.
-Selina
Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most enjoyed holidays year round, and not just because you get to enjoy all the food that you have been craving all year. It is a time when families and friends come together to spend time with their loved ones and appreciate all that they have to be thankful for. A common practice at dinner tables during Thanksgiving is having to go around the table and say one thing you are most thankful for. In The Bahamas, Thanksgiving is not a big deal, but after coming to college and enjoying this holiday, I have come to appreciate and enjoy it. I get the unique chance to experience American cooking and what it is like to have a true American Thanksgiving dinner.
-Devenney
Starting Wednesday, November 25th, classes will be cancelled for the remainder of the week so students can enjoy Thanksgiving!
If the trip home is too far, don’t worry, International Students & Scholars has you covered. Students could sign up and have a Thanksgiving meal with an American community member.
From all of us in the University of Arkansas International Admissions Office, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
