Away from family, students
give thanks in own ways
By Nicole Arias
Staff
Writer
His first Thanksgiving turkey was stuffed with
chestnuts. They added a flavor similar to the food from Malaysia, where
he's from.
Like many other international students, How Jit
Lim, a senior in the Schools of Engineering, has tried to make American
holidays his own, especially at Thanksgiving.
For the past two years, Lim has hosted the potluck
Thanksgiving dinner for the members of the Malaysian Students Association.
"If you're having a slow holiday, you'll probably
think of your family," Lim said. "When we stay on campus over break,
we usually have nothing to do; but if we hang around (together), then
at least we have company."
Lim has prepared the Thanksgiving turkey each year.
"It was a lot of fun. But a simple mistake can
cost you the turkey," he said, chuckling. "The first time, the turkey
was overcooked. It wasn't the best, but it was edible."
Hassan Uddin, a senior in the Schools of Engineering
from Malaysia, has spent most of his Thanksgiving breaks traveling.
Although he doesn't go home, he does use the five-day break to see more
of the United States.
"My flight home is 18 hours and with a one- or
two-day recovery from jet lag," he said. "Going home over break isn't
feasible, especially with the cost."
For the past two years, Uddin has gone to Chicago
over break, visiting his friends' families or sightseeing.
But this year he plans to venture farther.
"I'll look on some Yahoo maps and see what I can
come up with," Uddin said. "I just want to drive two or three states
away somewhere."
Most international students spend Thanksgiving
with either friends or families of friends, but Selva Soyturk, a junior
in the Schools of Engineering from Turkey, shares the holiday with an
American family that she thinks of as her own.
Soyturk lived in Wisconsin with a host family during
her senior year of high school and since then has spent every Thanksgiving
with them.
"Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks to the
people who mean the most to you," Soyturk said. "I owe so much to that
family. When I go back, it feels like I'm going back home."
n The International Center will be hosting a Thanksgiving
dinner at 4 p.m. Thursday at the center, 523 Russell St., West Lafayette.
The dinner costs $5. Tickets can be purchased before Nov. 21 at the
center.
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