Many of WJ’s international students were able to experience American Thanksgiving for the first time during the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program’s Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov. 25.

Upon entering the 100’s hallway, students were greeted with a myriad of classic dishes: paper plates were heaped with turkey, sided with mashed potatoes and drowned in gravy while party songs played in the background. A long line of utensil-equipped staff members served the food, while nearby classrooms became makeshift dining rooms.

“It’s really fun to eat all this free food and sit with your friends,” Chilean ESOL honors student, senior Elisa Karich said. “It’s exciting because it’s not something we’re really used to. It was also very yummy.”

Considering how steep of a departure the Thanksgiving dishes were from what most ESOL students eat at home, the event’s high level of participation and satisfaction was a significant accomplishment.

“I think the most controversial food sometimes is the turkey. There’s a reason we don’t eat turkey sandwiches for fun; most people prefer chicken or beef, so that ends up having the most mixed reception,” ESOL director Andrew Won said. “They’re also always a little bit confused by sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top because who thinks to put marshmallows on sweet potatoes?”

The hallway’s main decoration was a Thankfulness Wall, a large poster on which students wrote things they were thankful for with a variety of colored markers. Contributions to the wall ranged from “I’m grateful for my friends and family!” to “FLAMENGO!!!!”

Although the celebration was primarily food-focused, it also served a deeper purpose. Because many of WJ’s international students are only staying in the U.S. temporarily, they are often unable to experience American holiday traditions. The luncheon gave these students an opportunity to immerse themselves in an unfamiliar culinary culture.

“I think it’s a great space to share with others and meet new people,” ESOL student, senior Jacobo Gutierrez said. “There’s some food that I never would’ve tried if this [event] didn’t exist, so I really enjoy this space because it’s a space of discovery.”

This year’s holiday season coincides with a time of great uncertainty for many immigrants in the U.S. Recognizing this, the ESOL staff members responsible for organizing the event wanted to emphasize a welcoming message to WJ’s international students.

“For the students who stay here, especially when they’re receiving mixed messages about how welcome they are in America, the local message can overpower the national one,” Won said. “Even if they turn on the TV and they see something which makes them feel unwelcome in the country, the memory of all the teachers and parents making this wonderful meal will hopefully override that.”

All in all, the ESOL luncheon managed to provide a stellar meal, bridge cultural divides and make WJ’s international students feel at home in one fell swoop; and all it took was some Thanksgiving spirit.