Thanksgiving is a day for spending quality time with loved ones. But for international students, it can be hard being far away from family during the holiday season.
The “Home Away from Home” Thanksgiving dinner hosted at the First Presbyterian Church gives students in Bowling Green over the holiday break a chance to enjoy a meal and connect with others. The event is free of cost and also provides transportation from BGSU’s campus to the church.
O’Leo Loki, an international student at BGSU and the outreach coordinator at the First Presbyterian Church, noticed the large number of international students still on campus over the holiday breaks and most resources on campus being closed. This gave Loki the idea to host an event where students can feel more at home while being at school during the holiday season.
“Especially for new international students, whether they are graduate or postgraduate, the shuttles shut down, the dining halls shut down and most offices shut down. There’s really nothing, so they basically have to fend for themselves,” Loki said.
The event’s first year saw a small turnout due to COVID-19 but for its second year, the event had a boost in attendees and they hope to see a similar turnout this month.
“Last year was amazing. We had about 40 students, plus we had members come. So, we had about approximately 50-60 people,” Loki said.
Loki discussed the struggles that international students face, and that it is harder as an international student to meet others on campus dealing with the same experiences. The event is meant to provide international students a chance to connect with their peers, or to reach out for help if needed.
“Being an international student or someone of diversity, it’s a little harder. I do speak to a number of international students, and I think loneliness and isolation is a key factor. Especially those from third world countries that are of color,” Loki said.
The event helps to bring more awareness to the mental health struggles that international students face.
“One of the key factors that works against retention is mental health and the feeling of not belonging and connecting, and I think that transfers to everybody,” Loki said.
Loki said the event, hosted by the church, is free of religious pressure.
“I always stress to people that this is not an opportunity to convert anyone,” Loki said. “It’s up to you to go as far as you want. If you want to be someone who just comes and needs help, they will help you.”
The church is looking for those who want to be a helping hand at the event and looking for community service opportunities.
“Anyone, whether or not the student is international, can volunteer on the day if they want to help cook the meal, or to just come. While it’s focused on international, I’m fully aware that there may be some local students who want to do something,” Loki said.
Loki explained that with it being a tough time economically, there’s a growing amount of local resources such as food and clothing drives where students are welcome, even when asking for help can be difficult.
“There’s local students I’ve spoken to that may want to partake but there’s a stigma around it. Pride is a part of all of us,” Loki stated.
A new addition to the event is that students in attendance will get the opportunity to attend a BGSU hockey game, which will be taking place after the dinner. This will include transportation from the church to the Slater Family Ice Arena.
“This was a really nice inclusion that they will have the opportunity to go to a BGSU hockey game. They will be commemorated there,” Loki said.
This event can be a stepping stone to creating similar events around the holidays or throughout the year for international students at BGSU to meet new people and build connections.
The link to register for the event is here, and it is asked that people register by Nov. 24.
