CGPS welcomed 500 international students, scholars and their family members to the 11th annual celebration, surpassing last year’s record high turnout of 350 guests. In addition, Thanksgiving Dinner was moved to Trabant University Center, a central campus location, to make the event more accessible to students. In previous years, the event has been held at the STAR Tower Audion and the Embassy Suites off campus. 

While some guests experienced their first traditional Thanksgiving meal, others returned for their second or third American holiday. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed the feast and wrote messages of gratitude on paper leaves that were then displayed on a fall-themed wall. Guests also enjoyed a DJ and music, a photo booth, door prizes and engaging guest speakers.

Ali Sipra, a graduate student from Pakistan who is studying business analytics and information  management, had heard about the Thanksgiving Dinner from friends who had attended in previous years. 

“Events like these are a great opportunity for students to get together and experience good moments with food, different cultures and wonderful memories,” Sipra said. “It was held at a good time with the break having just begun after a taxing few weeks of study and work.”

To kick off the evening, Associate Provost of International Programs Ravi Ammigan greeted the audience with a message of gratitude for everyone in attendance, as he reflected on the memory of his first Thanksgiving in the U.S. as an international student. 

“What I remember the most from that evening 27 years ago is that I had made new friends and I was grateful for feeling that I belonged. I hope you have that same sense of belonging here at the University of Delaware,” Ammigan said. “We are gathered this evening to celebrate not just Thanksgiving, but the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and experiences that each of you brings to the University community.”

In addition, University leadership and staff, as well as Delaware Gov. John Carney, shared Thanksgiving wishes in a video message.

“I know that being away from home isn’t always easy, especially during holidays like this, even if it is not one you typically celebrate,” Carney said. “Please know that we are glad you chose to study here in Delaware, and your presence makes our community stronger. This holiday season I hope that you find time to connect with friends and share in new celebrations.” 

Ammigan invited guests to not only celebrate the Thanksgiving traditions, but also share values and beliefs that are close to their hearts. 

“As international students and scholars, you have all made incredible sacrifices to come to UD, to pursue education, to discover new opportunities, and to build bridges between cultures. In doing so, you’ve also enriched all of us,” he said. “Your diverse perspectives, experiences and stories create a space for learning, for growth and for understanding. You’ve taught us that gratitude isn’t just about the things we have — it’s about the people we meet and the connections we make.”

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

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