ODU hosts International Thanksgiving Gathering
November 26, 2018
The International Thanksgiving Gathering was celebrated Nov. 16 at the Webb University Center.
By Ameera Faisal
Following the success of last year's celebration, Old Dominion University's Monarch Dining Services and Visa & Immigration Service Advising partnered again to host the International Thanksgiving Gathering, an event for visiting scholars who are here on exchange visas.
"We just thought that this was a nice way to show our international scholars that we care about them, we value them and we appreciate them being on our campus," said Janet McLaughlin, resident district manager of Aramark and Monarch Dining. The event was hosted Nov. 16 in the Executive Dining Room of Webb University Center.
It is designed to help expose J-1 visa holders sponsored by the University to "a cultural component that gives participants the opportunity to engage more broadly with Americans and share their own cultures with their U.S. host communities," according to the U.S. State Department.
These international scholars are invited by ODU faculty to work on research and publications, usually for from three months to two years. Some scholars serve as visiting professors. Many collaborate on research on everything from cybersecurity to biolmedical engineering.
The exchange visitors represent countries from all over the world, including China, France, India, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Turkey. Their visits "promote the exchange of ideas, research, and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries," as described by the State Department.
As the sponsoring institution for the visas, ODU's Visa & Immigration Service Advising Office is required to submit a report to the State Department detailing cultural activities provided to the visiting scholars. The International Thanksgiving is a highlight of the report because it emphasizes the exposure to American traditions and facilitates interaction between faculty and the exchange students.
This gathering not only allows the scholars to be exposed to the American Thanksgiving tradition and culinary dishes, but enables them to socialize and interact with one another and create bonds that may endure.
"This event is the highlight of the year's programming for international scholars at ODU," said Degi Betcher, international student advisor with the Visa & Immigration Service Advising Office. "Our faculty and visiting scholars are amazing people who are researching anything from cancer cell growth, to community resiliency and seal-level rise, to cryptocurrency and global markets."
Scholars were encouraged to bring family members who are here with them to the festivities, including a true Thanksgiving meal complete with traditional favorites such as turkey, potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie. Along with the meal, they watched the Macy's parade, participated in Thanksgiving-themed games, received a short history on the first Thanksgiving meal and shared what they are thankful for.
Students and community members looking to learn more about the International Thanksgiving event should contact McLaughlin at dining@odu.eduor Betcher atintlstu@odu.edu.
