UC San Diego’s International Students Get a Home for the Thanksgiving Holiday

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Last Thanksgiving, Steve and Roz Brotzman of Carmel Valley hosted three students from India, Turkey and China.

This year, international students at the University of California, San Diego will be celebrating Thanksgiving with host families across the San Diego region. The campus’s International Center is sponsoring the Thanksgiving Exchange Program for the second year due to the program’s success in 2011.

So far, about 24 families have signed up to host the 73 students who will be participating in the program. More families are welcomed to sign up before the Nov. 15 deadline.

“International students participate in their classes, but what they are really looking for is to engage with American families and learn about our culture,” said Dulce Dorado, director of UC San Diego’s International Center. “What better way than to be invited to an American home?”

Dorado added that families can host as many students as they like. “It could be as simple as inviting them over for the meal itself … or it could be for the preparation of the meal, too. Depending on the family, students could spend a few hours or an entire day,” she said.

Students and families had heartfelt experiences during last year’s Thanksgiving, which is why, in part, the International Center decided to sponsor the Thanksgiving Exchange Program again this year.

According to Shelly Taskin, program coordinator at the International Center, students and families had heartfelt experiences during last year’s Thanksgiving, which is why, in part, the International Center decided to sponsor the exchange program again this year.

“It was a delight sharing this very American tradition with our foreign colleagues,” said Scott Primack of Ocean Beach, who opened his home to two international students last year. “We look forward to participating in this event for the years to come.”

Sue Sherry, a host from Solana Beach had similar sentiments. “Our students added to our evening immensely, count us in for this year!”

How to Host: Email iprograms@ucsd.edu by Nov. 15, 2012. List your name, how many students you are willing to have and if you are willing to pick up the students from UC San Diego. If you can’t transport students, note the nearest bus stop to your home.

For more information about the UC San Diego Thanksgiving Exchange Program, go to: icenter.ucsd.edu/ispo/programs/thanksgiving_exchange/index.html