Testimonials

See what past participants have to say about the Thanksgiving Host Program!

Host Testimonials

“One of the best Thanksgivings we've had. This is a wonderful program, so glad I was able to participate.”

“We enjoyed hosting and would love to do it again! We definitely plan on staying in touch with our student(s).”

“My Thanksgiving experience was wonderful! Everything went smoothly and the students were delightful. Thanks for providing this great opportunity.”

“The program offers the local Brandeis community the chance to welcome and get to know Brandeis students from around the globe!”

"In many ways, this was going to be a pretty mellow Thanksgiving for my family and me. Breaking with tradition, my brother and family did not join us from San Francisco and my sister’s two adult children were spending the holiday with their father. Having [an international student] at our table helped to make the meal and the holiday more festive and special."

“This was my second time participating in the program. My partner and I moved here from CA so all our family is back on the west coast. It is nice to be able to have students over and share this holiday with them! We always have interesting conversation and thoroughly enjoy what has become a tradition for us!”

“Hosting two Brandeis students was a highlight of our family's Thanksgiving holiday last year. The two young women who spent the day with us were so appreciative, and the engaging conversation reminded us of how much we have to be thankful for and how important it is to share this wonderful and uniquely American celebration with our international students who are so far away from their own homes.”

 

Student Testimonials

“Excellent! I learned about Thanksgiving culture. On the other hand, the host family also learned something about my culture and society through discussion.”

“My favorite thing about the program was the family atmosphere - I video chat with my parents and have dinner with friends but that's just not the same.”

"Sitting at the table reminded me how we celebrate our festivities in the exact same way back home by having food and talking with family. It shows how we are not different from each other, how humanity is just one big family.  I was glad I went for the dinner I had a great time."

"My daughter and I have a good and sweet memory in the United States to celebrate Thanksgiving with so many friends."

"[The Thanksgiving Host Program] is an extremely interesting program because it is a good time for international students to celebrate a warm Thanksgiving holiday with a local family, and I really enjoyed myself at [my host's] home...it was really like a real family gathering. Thanks a lot to my host and her family."

“It was very fortunate for me to have an American Thanksgiving with [my host], his family and his friends. They are such nice and knowledgeable people that it was a big pleasure to talk with them in all night. We had turkey, stuff, yam, vegetables and dessert for dinner, which was very delicious and had the taste and smell of home. The tender, loving and caring atmosphere of the [host] family and the Thanksgiving dinner comforted my homesickness to a great extent and made me feel so warm here in the U.S. I appreciate the efforts of [my host] family and of our ISSO very much. Thank you for being so considerate and caring.”