*********************************
There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
*********************************
Atlanta, GA | Posted: November 3, 2015
Rachel Isaac
Institute Communications
Summary Sentence:
Home for the Holidays pairs international students with local families during the Thanksgiving break.
Full Summary:
Home for the Holidays pairs international students with local families during the Thanksgiving break.
Eckert Family - Home for the HolidaysAs Thanksgiving approaches, many students make plans to head home for the break. Due to restraints such as time and cost, though, many international students are unable to return home. Because of Tech’s large international student population, the Student Government Association (SGA) launched Home for the Holidays last year to pair international students with local families during the Thanksgiving break.
All local Georgia Tech faculty, staff, students, and alumni are invited to participate in this new community-building tradition. Families can choose whether to host students overnight or just for Thanksgiving dinner. Transportation and other needs should not prevent students or hosts from registering, as SGA will match groups based on the information provided in a questionnaire. Last year, about 70 international students and around 55 families participated.
Aside from providing international students with a meal for Thanksgiving, Home for the Holidays is a unique opportunity to share cultures and embrace the diversity of the Georgia Tech community.
“Not only does Home for the Holidays help provide students with a home environment, but it also promotes the exchange of cultures,” said Laura Margaret Burbach, SGA chief of staff. “Since Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday, many international students have never experienced a traditional American Thanksgiving. It’s great for them to get to share this experience and great for the host families to learn about their guest’s culture as well.”
The program was conceived in 2014 when Brandie Banner, former SGA vice president and a resident advisor in Housing, noticed how many international students stayed on campus during breaks.
The deadline to register as a host or guest is Friday, Nov. 6. Those interested in hosting can complete this form. International students should fill out this form.
