What is Thanksgiving and how international students can celebrate?

 

The holiday season dawns when leaves turn to hues of orange and yellow and the wind brings a chill to the air.

It is during this time that echoes of Thanksgiving are heard throughout the city.

Although this might sound like home to many, the feeling is relatively new for international students, from a country that is completely different in its culture and heritage.

International students know what thanksgiving is, but do they know what it truly stands for and how it started?

It is believed that Canadian Thanksgiving pre-dates the American counterpart.

The first American Thanksgiving is believed to have been celebrated in 1621, by the pilgrims of Plymouth after a bountiful harvest.

The first Canadian Thanksgiving, however, is believed to have taken place in 1578 following a successful voyage of Martin Frobisher, an English seaman who made the voyage to the new world.

The Canadian Thanksgiving is also believed to have Indigenous roots, as the first communion was observed in what is now known as Nunavut, the land that has been always a part of indigenous heritage and culture.

The modern holiday celebrated in Canada has been influenced by the undertones of our southern cousin. The classic Thanksgiving dinner eaten with friends, family and community includes turkey with gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Bringing together families is not only a North American affair as there are various festivals around the world that bring communities together.

Being a South Asian, Thanksgiving brings forth fond memories of the traditional festival, Diwali, which is celebrated with the utmost similarity of sense of belonging and a celebration of culture.

Diwali falls around the same time of the year as Thanksgiving. However, having totally different roots and history, both the festivities bring the same warmth and comfort of togetherness.

As an international student, we tend to wait for Diwali quite eagerly, however we forget about the ways we as international students can bring innovation to the table when Canadian festivals are in question.

Homesickness kicking in during the holiday season is real and it is important that while you are away from home, you don’t have to spiral down the rabbit hole of loneliness because there are so many ways to celebrate thanksgiving!

A new tradition carving out of the practicality of modern life is Friendsgiving. Slowly and steadily people are trickling towards Friendsgiving, where the celebratory dinner is no more a family affair but is accompanied by friends.

International students are giving a new blend to this trend, by adding their own “spice” to the festival.

Bringing together food from various cultures together, the Friendsgiving Potluck is a great idea to bring cultures together and to feel wholesome during the holiday season, even when you are away from home.

Friendsgiving is usually not on the day of Thanksgiving but around a week prior to the actual Thanksgiving, but you know that you make the rules!

Another way international students can celebrate Thanksgiving is by being part of communities where they can help people have a safe and warm Thanksgiving.

This holiday is ideally about showing people that you care and what’s the best way of showing you care other than helping someone!

Gift your friend that eyeshadow palette she was surfing on Sephora the other day or plan a road-trip with your friends to Muskoka watching the leaves fall while you sip your coffee peeping outside the cabin.

So, during this season, make sure you experience holidays with a little more love and a little more diversity!