While many Dickinson students return to their homes for the Thanksgiving holiday, most international students remain in the U.S. and travel during the break.

“I could do so many things here with the money for the flight tickets back home. I usually travel. I went to Boston last year. This year I’m going to New York,” said Eva Wang ’18, from Shanghai, China.

The majority of international students are taking advantage of a week long break to travel the country and go sightseeing. Many spend time traveling big cities such as Boston and New York.

“I am going to Boston with my friends. This is my last Thanksgiving break that I get to spend with my friends here before we all spread out around the world,” said Yelyzaveta Konovalova ’18 from Lviv, Ukraine.

Some who are leaving campus have friends or families that live here and end up staying with them over the break.

“My dad’s side of the family is from here. My aunt who lives in New Jersey just invited me to come over for Thanksgiving, so I am spending my break there,” said Lucy West ’18 from Tokyo.

“A number of students are staying on campus because the residence halls on campus remain open for Thanksgiving vacation,” said Associate Dean of Students Angie Harris.

Among those who stay on campus, some students join the Friendship Family Program at Dickinson.

“Dickinson provides an arrangement with the local host families in Carlisle to offer traditional Thanksgiving experience for the international students.” said Luis Johnson, coordinator/advisor international student and scholar services at the Center for Global Study and Engagement.

“This is my third time joining this program. I love this because it allows me to immerse myself in the spirit of Thanksgiving.” said Trung Nguyen ’19, an international student from Hanoi, Vietnam, “We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Vietnam, so being able to truly enjoy it greatly enhances my experience in the U.S.”