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A Non-American Thanksgiving

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By Michaela Parsley

Non-Americans at Dalat were asked their thoughts on the Thanksgiving holiday. Their perspective revealed the beauty of Thanksgiving is the gratitude we have for the gifts of abundance and joy we have in our lives. 

We all know Americans love Thanksgiving, but what about everyone else? It is rather easy to guess the meaning behind Thanksgiving. It’s right there in the name, after all. Yet, it’s so easy it is to get caught up in the traditions of the holiday that we forget the heart of it all. Sometimes, the best way to regain perspective is to remove yourself from the center and seek out a distanced point of view. 

Dalat has students from all over the world, so what do all the non-American students take from Turkey Day? On one hand, Thanksgiving gives the community an extra day of the weekend. That’s always a welcome gift! 

Sophia Teoh, a twelfth-grade student from Malaysia, said, “Personally, even though [I‘m not] American, I still found Thanksgiving break to be a good time… I just treat it as a time to be thankful… I like that it’s an extra day in the weekend.” 

Another student, Juan Moon (12), expressed that even though Thanksgiving doesn’t hold much significance since he is Korean, he still feels it’s worth celebrating. He appreciates this “joyous day” because it’s a break from the busyness of life.

To some students, however, Thanksgiving has a greater significance than simply a restful long weekend. Dutch student Lynn Tamminga (12) said, “I think it is very beautiful to see how this American holiday helps people realize that they have so much to be thankful for in their lives. It made me more aware of all the wonderful things around me.” Even though she doesn’t partake in the Thanksgiving traditions, simply observing her American friends at Dalat celebrating the holiday reminded her of the blessings that she has in her life, too. 

Another student, Owen Bekker (12) from South Africa, recalled his first-ever experience with Thanksgiving last year when he was invited to his American friend’s house to celebrate. “Everyone called me the vacuum cleaner” he said, “because of the mountains of food I would pile onto my plate. Any of the food anyone couldn't finish was also given to me, and I gladly obliged.” 

Traditions like devouring plates of delicious food are amazing, especially when it’s around your closest friends and family, but it’s furthermore important to tie it all back to the real meaning behind the holiday. 

Malaysian alumni Myra Lim summarized it perfectly. “Thanksgiving is the season where we are able to express our gratitude… not only to the people that are around us but also to another year of living in God's goodness.”

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