Thanksgiving means different things to different people – some celebrate, some do not.

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In the spirit of gratitude and feasting, many Canadians will come together to mark the harvest season with traditional foods, such as turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing; echoing their American neighbours.

 

While Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday for many Canadians, it is essential to acknowledge not all Canadians, or, and international students partake in the festivities. 

 

Léa Plisson, a French-Canadian student in Ottawa, chose not to celebrate this annual tradition, opting for alternative ways to spend their long weekend.

 

“I’ve never experienced Canadian Thanksgiving,” said Plisson. “I feel like Thanksgiving is not a big holiday compared to Christmas or Easter.” 

 

For Yujin Van, a South Korean exchange student experiencing her first time abroad, Thanksgiving Day offers a new and unique experience to embrace before her return to her home country upon completing her studies.

 

“In Korea, we have a similar holiday called Chuseok, which is also about gratitude and sharing traditional foods with our ancestors and family,” said Yujin Van, added the holiday resonated with her cultural values.

 

“Thanksgiving Day is a break for me to balance everything that I have at the moment.”

 

International students like Kruti Goswami from India, seized the opportunity to work on Thanksgiving Day.

 

“It’s fine for me to work on Thanksgiving Day to get some extra money,” said Goswami. “I grew up in India and there’s no concept of Thanksgiving at all.”

 

However, Thanksgiving is not just about food. Van believes this celebration involves creating new cultural exchange opportunities.

 

“There is a program called ‘Friends for Dinners’ at Carleton University, where there are both local and international students, to celebrate Thanksgiving together,” said Van. “I think it will be a unique experience to have at Thanksgiving if I participate in the program.”

 

This holiday is also a chance for family and friends to bond with each other, even when they do not celebrate it.

 

“It’s a chance to meet up with friends,” shared Goswami. “Most of my Indian friends are vegetarians, so we used to have Indian food like curry to make it our version of Thanksgiving.”

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“My family don’t celebrate Thanksgiving Day like other Canadians,” said Plisson. “Thanksgiving for my family is just an excuse to gather around.”