Welcoming New Friends for Thanksgiving

Pictured Left to right: Student Arda Kalem, Dean of Students Gabrielle St Leger, host Joanne West, and students Melanie Benyadi and Ajlan Okman.

Thanksgiving Day, traditionally a family-centered holiday, became a reason to meet new friends this year as international students joined in the celebration at the homes of faculty and staff. Nearly 40 faculty, staff, and students participated in what has become an annual tradition. NYIT International and Experiential Education (IEE) matched up students with hosts based on location, travel options, and other preferences.

Joanne West, director of student and library administration and operations in the Center for Teaching and Learning, said, “My family and I loved hosting three NYIT students for a Thanksgiving Brunch at my home in Bethpage. We watched the parade and enjoyed a tremendous amount of food and coffee. The students loved playing with my children Christian (5) and Anna Grace (3), and [student Melanie Benyadi] brought her camera and captured many precious memories of my children.”