As an international student, adapting to a different culture and lifestyle can be challenging, but at the same, it can be extremely gratifying. Learning about a particular group of people and their traditions can open up one’s mind and allow one to be more understanding of other people and cultures.
My first experience with an unfamiliar tradition was Thanksgiving in the USA. After researching it and asking people about it, I found it very fascinating!
People focus on expressing gratitude during Thanksgiving. I believe gratitude is a humble recognition of others that guides us to see the best part of everything. Therefore, stopping our routines and dedicating an official day to give thanks is wonderful, especially during this time when everyone is busy and in isolation due to the pandemic. I feel expressing gratitude can heal our hearts.
In my country, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but gratefulness is part of our culture and personalities. Nevertheless, in our busy lives, we sometimes forget to express our feelings towards people around us. For that reason, I find the idea of reaching out to others around us to express gratitude fascinating!
I will definitely bring this tradition with me wherever I go.
