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.