A Thanksgiving Exchange: Home for the Holidays

As Thanksgiving approaches, many students make plans to head home for the break. Yet, due to time and cost restraints, many international and out-of-state students are unable to return home.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many students make plans to head home for the break. Yet, due to time and cost restraints, many international and out-of-state students are unable to return home. Because of this, the Student Government Association (SGA) launched Home for the Holidays, an event for students to experience an American Thanksgiving meal in a local family’s home. Every year, hundreds of host families and students come together in the spirit of Thanksgiving and community.

Carson Silbert, SGA’s executive chief of staff and leader of the Home for the Holidays program, explained why the event is so important to her.

“It is an incredible way to foster Georgia Tech community and to grow in awareness of other cultures,” Silbert said. “Students will be able to have a ‘home’ during Thanksgiving, including a home-cooked meal and a family to spend time with, while hosts will have the opportunity to learn from the students and create new traditions in their home.”

Silbert noted that all students, both graduate and undergraduate, are eligible to participate. And faculty, staff, alumni, and students’ parents are eligible to sign up to host. The event is popular at Tech because of its large international community. To build a stronger campus community, the Home for the Holidays program was designed to provide new cultural experiences — and a tasty meal — for both students and local Atlanta families.

To participate in Home for the Holidays as a guest, fill out the form here. To participate as a host, fill out the form here. The deadline for both is Nov. 5 and the meal will occur on Thursday, Nov. 22. For more information, contact carsonsilbert@gatech.edu.

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