By ALYSSA ANN ALFANO
Student Contributor
Bowling Green State University have started their Thanksgiving pilgrimages to gather with friends and family to celebrate, give thanks, and to eat way more than any one person should without judgement.
After speaking with several Bowling Green State University students, I learned that this food filled American holiday is all about tradition. From the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie to how time is spent with family and friends, many people do not stray from their holiday habits.
In some cases, the cooking is not left to just one person. Shannon Andrews, BGSU senior, says that everyone in her family brings something.
Andrews said, for example, “my grandma brings the stuffing and green bean casserole. Where my uncle always prepares the turkey.”
Family time is also an important tradition for many people on this holiday. “I just look forward every year to having my family all together in one place to enjoy a meal. It is a nice time to just relax and enjoy family time,” Andrews said.
Tiffany Gibson, BGSU junior, said that she and her family usually get together and play games as a family throughout the day.
Usually this day is spent with more than just one’s immediate family. Many say that extended family and significant others, and sometimes friends, are also included in the Thanksgiving festivities.
Although family and loved ones play an important role in this holiday, religious beliefs can also have a big part. Gibson, Andrews, and many others say grace before their Thanksgiving meal. In addition, they go around the table and take turns sharing what each person is thankful for.
When asked what Thanksgiving means to them, most answered in a similar fashion. Gibson said that Thanksgiving means “family, and stuffing yourself.”
Andrews said, family. “It is one day of the year everyone has to be together. We eat great food, enjoy company, and usually sit around watching football after we ate too much food. It is just a relaxing and great time to be thankful and appreciative for all the blessings you have in life.”
Traditions and family are important to many Americans, but in a town as diverse as Bowling Green, Thanksgiving can look a little different for some people.
BGSU has international students from many different areas of the world. These students did not grow up in America and therefore don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. The holiday break is so short that not all students get to go home to visit family.
Several international students at BG are using the break to travel to places such as Canada, New York, or other cities in Ohio. Others are using the time to study for finals. For many international students, this holiday represents nothing more than time off from school.
Chun Wai Ma, a student at BGSU from Hong Kong, said that he didn’t learn about what Thanksgiving was until he came to the U.S. He celebrated his first Thanksgiving last weekend with a friend and her family. His favorite part was the turkey.
Ma said that he will be celebrating a little over the break from school by taking a trip to Toronto. He also said he might be doing some Black Friday shopping. Seeing posts on social media and promotions online for Thanksgiving sales is how Ma started learning about how big this American holiday is.
Ma said that he was excited about the fact that many American families meet and spend time together for this holiday. He said that this does not happen often where he is from outside of the Chinese New Year.
Regardless of who you are with, what you are eating, and what traditions you will take part in, enjoy the day. Slip into your stretchy pants, eat as much as you can and set aside enough leftovers to last you through finals!
