by Laura Schlichting Espindola, Alvernia Community News Lab
Photo by Laura Schlichting Espindola
Thanksgiving Break at Alvernia University didn’t look like the holiday most Americans describe. While many students packed their bags and left campus to spend the long weekend with family, most international students stayed. Not because we wanted to skip the celebration, but because going home isn’t really an option when your family is thousands of miles away. For students from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and other countries, Thanksgiving isn’t something we grew up celebrating, so it doesn’t carry the same sentiment. Still, the week didn’t feel completely empty. Like every year, Pearl, the International Student Coordinator, organized activities so international students wouldn’t spend the break isolated in their dorms.
Originally from Hong Kong, Pearl knows exactly what it feels like to be far from home during holidays that everyone around you seems excited about. She attended all the activities with her husband and children, staying with us the whole time. “Our goal is always to make sure the students don’t feel alone. If they can’t be with their families, we try to create our own little community here,” said Pearl. Having her there and checking in with everyone, made the environment feel more comfortable. It didn’t replace home, of course, but it created a warm atmosphere that helped a lot.
Even though campus was way quieter than usual, the university still offered simple but meaningful activities. There was a Thanksgiving lunch, a movie day, where we got tickets to watch Zootopia 2 or the second part of Wicked, and a Black Friday trip to the King of Prussia Mall. For many of us, it was the first time experiencing these traditions in person. Some students had only seen Thanksgiving in movies or online. The break gave us a chance not only to participate but to understand how Americans actually spend the holiday, which is different from what you imagine when you only see it as an outsider.
Hermione, one of the Brazilian students, shared something that a lot of us related to. “If this were Christmas, it would be much harder. Thanksgiving isn’t ours, so we don’t really have that emotional connection. But when you see everyone around you celebrating, you do feel a little left out. The activities help a lot with that sense of belonging,” she said. And it’s true, even if you don’t celebrate it, being surrounded by a campus that suddenly becomes quiet reminds you that you’re far from home.
One of the highlights of the break was the Black Friday trip. The long lines, crowded corridors, and huge discounts showed us a very intense, very American version of Black Friday. Steve, a student from Peru, laughed and said, “We have Black Friday in Peru, but it’s not like this. The discounts are smaller, and sometimes the prices go up before they go down. Here, the sales are actually real.” Cláudia, also from Peru, agreed. “I thought the videos online exaggerated everything, but it’s actually huge. You understand why Americans take it so seriously.”
As a Brazilian, I had the same reaction. In Brazil, it’s common for stores to raise prices before the holiday, and everyone jokes about it. Seeing real discounts was surprising and honestly exciting. Even if you didn’t buy much, the whole experience felt like a cultural moment of its own.
While some students stayed on campus, all the Brazilian students decided to use the long weekend to travel. Pedro, Hermione, and I went to Boston, walking through historic neighborhoods and exploring a city completely different from Reading. What stood out the most was the strong British influence everywhere. It was in the buildings, the narrow streets, and the colonial landmarks. It felt like stepping into a different world, and it showed how diverse the United States can be depending on where you go. The trip wasn’t planned to be educational, but we ended up learning a lot about early American history just by walking around.
For international students, Thanksgiving break isn’t about turkey, football, or big family gatherings. It’s about figuring out what to do during a holiday that isn’t part of our culture, while still trying to enjoy the time away from classes. Traveling, participating in activities, or even just spending time with other international students gave us a sense of connection. Instead of feeling stuck on campus, the week becomes a chance to explore, learn, and experience the country in different ways.
Being an international student means learning from every moment, even the ones that aren’t connected to your own traditions. This Thanksgiving break at Alvernia was a good example of that. From watching how Americans celebrate, to navigating Black Friday, to exploring Boston. Each experience, whether big or small, became part of our cultural exchange. Even though we were far from home, we still found connection, company, and moments that made the break meaningful in our own way.
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