While many cultures around the world give thanks in various unique ways, the traditions seen during the American celebrating of Thanksgiving may be a new experience for international students who are hundreds of miles away from home. As a way to ease the culture shock some may be experiencing, the Peoria Area Friends of International Students (PAFIS) held its annual Harvest Dinner Nov. 9.
Students who attended were treated to an evening of fun, friendship and of course, food, which was served as a traditional Thanksgiving spread provided by PAFIS members and host families. According to PAFIS president Russ Plattner, the main purpose behind the dinner was not only to introduce international students to American customs, but also to give new and current members of the organization a chance to connect with one another.
“It’s just fun to see people we’ve become friends with another time,” Plattner said, referring to his favorite aspect of the dinner. “[It’s also fun] to make new friends.”
Many conversations held among tables focused on topics ranging from language differences to sports and gave students a forum to share how they have adjusted to life within the United States.
Freshman Anneke Schlweter, a sports communications major and guard for Bradley’s women’s basketball team, said that the transition from Ulm, Germany to Peoria has been smooth, thanks to efforts from some key people.
“My team is helping me a lot,” Schlweter said. “They are kind of my new family. My coach and his wife say I can always come home to them.”
After dinner, PAFIS board members announced the 2014 recipients of the Marjorie Woods Reynolds Memorial Scholarship for International Students, which was named for a former PAFIS board member who dedicated her life to enhancing the experiences of international students.
The recipients of this year’s awards were graduate students Anand Sekar (manufacturing engineering), Han Sun (accounting), Durga Pasupuleti (computer science), Anna Galstyan (quantitative finance), Prudhi Amaravadhi (mechanical engineering) and Hayk Avagyan (computer information systems).
