As 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 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 community-building tradition. Families can choose whether to host students overnight or just for 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, nearly 90 international students were hosted by around 55 families. The program is now in its third year and SGA is looking to grow participation.

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. 

"At Georgia Tech we constantly strive to celebrate the cultures of everyone in our community. Home For The Holidays was designed to provide international students the opportunity to experience the Thanksgiving holiday — for many, for the first time — in a local family’s home,” said Ben Nickel, chief of staff for SGA. “This opportunity not only promotes an exchange of culture, but gives students a chance to get to know the community they go to school in."

The deadline to register as a host or guest is Friday, Nov. 4. Those interested in hosting can complete this form. International students should fill out this form.