Ultimate Guide: Thanksgiving Abroad

For study abroad students, Thanksgiving is usually the first holiday that they will miss away from their home, family, friends and turkey! Since Thanksgiving is only celebrated in the US, follow these six tips for your celebrating your first Turkey Day in your new home away from home!

1. Thanksgiving Dinner at a Restaurant

   Although it may not be as authentic as your grandmother’s food, scope out a restaurant in your study abroad location that caters to Americans looking for some turkey and stuffing this Thursday. There are more restaurants than you would think to satisfy your Thanksgiving-feast cravings.

2. Friends-giving 

   Chances are you have some friends who are also missing out on the American holiday while abroad and would love to pot-luck all of the classic foods. If not, invite some friends who have never celebrated the holiday to learn about and experience the holiday for the first time. Depending on where you are living you may have to make some tweaks to the recipes… hello chicken!

3. Traditions

   Don’t let the ocean stop you from following through with your Thanksgiving traditions. Spend some extra time enjoying the company of others and tune into NBC.com for a live-stream of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

4. Host Country’s Holidays

   Experience your host countries holidays to the fullest. This is what a global education is all about! 

5. Connect with your family

   I am sure they miss you as much as you miss them. Thanks to modern technology, they are only a Facetime away! 

6. Be Thankful

   This Thursday, regardless of if you’re surrounded by people who celebrate Thanksgiving, take a moment to be thankful for your experience abroad…even though you did miss out on that pumpkin pie. Little by little, it is easy to take your study abroad time for granted. Take a moment to be especially thankful for this opportunity.