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Home for the Holiday
By Anne Berman '15
As an annual hostess
of Thanksgiving dinners, Smith staff member Jan Morris was
inspired by one of her guests to launch a program for students
who do not otherwise have a destination for the holiday.
 One of the regulars at Morris’ annual feast is her cousin and her cousin’s two
children, adopted from China.
“I thought that it would be great to have a student from China come to dinner
to talk about her country,” said Morris, who works in the Office of Student Affairs. “The
program launched in 2010, and it just kind of built from there.”
In recent years, Smith’s percentage of international students has been steadily
growing. Given the time commitment and cost of travel, many of the approximately
12 percent of the students from outside the United States remain on campus for
the four-day break that commences Wednesday.
In 2010, the year Smith launched
the “Thanksgiving Match Program,” nine Smith faculty and staff members volunteered
to host 14 students. The numbers have remained in that range during the two years
since.
“I think the program is good for both international students who want to participate
in this piece of American culture, and for faculty and staff who get to spend
time with these students,” said Morris. “We’ve gotten really positive feedback
from participants.”
This year the program is also
open to domestic students remaining on campus, as well as
international students.
Students staying on campus over
Thanksgiving break who would like to participate should contact
Morris via email, , using the subject line “Thanksgiving Match Host.” |
