Thanksgiving without Borders
Every year UB's faculty and staff demonstrate their generous spirit by hosting Thanksgiving dinner for a number of our international students. This year, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and the Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence would like to expand this tradition by encouraging more host families to participate, making it possible for even more international students to experience an American Thanksgiving.
How the Program Works
Faculty and staff are matched with international students (2 students minimum) who are interested in celebrating Thanksgiving. Interested parties submit a registration form to participate in the program. Using your registration form, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) staff will match students and families after a detailed review of each person's preferences. Participants are sent each other's contact information by email. After Thanksgiving we will ask that all participants share their experiences and pictures with ISSS.
UB faculty and staff members who are interested in serving as host families should complete the registration form (see below). Once students and host families have been matched, host families will receive:
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The names and contact information of student guests
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Cultural information about their home countries
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Tips for hosting international students in your home
Host families will be expected to contact their guests prior to Thanksgiving Day to introduce themselves and discuss logistics, such as arrival time and what student guests should expect that day.
To Participate
Please complete and submit the registration form by Friday, November 3. The form should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. You will receive information on your students no later than Thursday, November 16.