Staff Open their Homes to International Students for the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us for 2023 and Seton Hall University staff welcomed international students to their homes and shared the meaning and traditions of Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Dinner Program returned with the support from the Office of International Programs, after pausing the program during the pandemic. 

Staff who volunteered to host Thanksgiving were matched with international students studying at Seton Hall University who were interested in learning about the American holiday along with sharing meaningful cultural exchanges and creating long-lasting memories. In turn, Seton Hall families had the opportunity to learn from the students about their own holiday traditions, life back home in their country, and how they view Seton Hall as a second home. The idea behind this initiative is to foster connections and engage our international students who were not able to travel home for the holidays and may miss their own friends and families. 

"I was an international student myself when I came to pursue my graduate degree in the United States and holiday time can feel lonely and I remember missing my family back home," said Katsumi Kishida, Director of International Student Services. "It’s the Office’s mission to support our international community by connecting them with our wonderful Seton Hall faculty, staff, alumni, and local community members so that they are able to find a 'home away from home.'"

The international student population represents countries from around the world including China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, and Russia. They are studying for degrees in business, international relations, health sciences, professional psychology, and other areas.

Every host had the chance to personalize their holiday around the students they were hosting. Mary Kate Naatus, Assistant Provost and Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, and her family brainstormed how they wanted to welcome Jane Eke, an international student from Nigeria, by incorporating her culture into the celebration. "It was wonderful hosting an international graduate student along with her family at our home this Thanksgiving. We put extra care into planning the menu and decorating for the holidays in preparation for our visitors, and it was truly a festive day with lively discussion and sharing of culture and traditions," said Naatus. 

Over the years, the Karten family has shared Thanksgiving with Seton Hall students from China and Russia. This year, the family welcomed students Abhishek Pathak from India and Siqi Li from China for this year’s holiday. "We had a wonderful time last week and having Siqi and Abhishek at our home for the holiday made the day extra special," said Linda Karten, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing. "We loved getting to know them and hearing their stories. We felt like an even bigger, happier family."

Abhishek expressed his gratitude for the program and for the Karten family hosting him, "It was fun meeting Linda and her family, full of happiness and togetherness. I felt like family. Thank you so much for this program."

Siqi also had a memorable time sharing stories about her life and engaging in meaningful conversations, "I had a great time on Thanksgiving with Linda and her whole family. It was such a wonderful and meaningful moment to spend with all these lovely people."

Another welcoming host, Nicole Paternoster, Director of the Academic Resource Center, hosted student Alshymaa Hassan from Egypt. "I would like to thank Nicole and her family for such a great Thanksgiving," said Alshymaa. "It was an amazing day, I really enjoyed being among such a warm family and they welcomed me in a very beautiful way."

The Office of International Programs is pleased to resume this annual holiday program to welcome its international students into the homes of the Seton Hall community and hopes for more volunteers to participate in the coming years. 

Categories: Campus Life, Nation and World