International Students Celebrate Friendsgiving
To kick off the holiday season, TCU’s International Services Office (ISO) and Student Success Office hosted a Friendsgiving celebration for international students. The event brings together students of various nationalities and backgrounds, creating space for connection and cultural exchange through the spirit of gratitude, complete with traditional Thanksgiving food, games and prizes.
The celebration features a presentation explaining the historical roots of Thanksgiving, followed by a moment of reflection where students shared what gratitude looks like in their home countries and how harvest traditions are celebrated around the world.
For Carlota Castelltort Pintó, a senior computer science major from Barcelona, Spain, the experience offers a new cultural perspective.
“In Spain, there’s no Thanksgiving tradition,” she explains. “Learning about it and being immersed in the culture made today especially meaningful and fun.”
Happy Herman, a sophomore economics and finance double major from Rwanda, shares insights about a traditional Rwandan harvest festival celebrated on August 1. “Thanksgiving takes many forms across time and place,” he says. “In Rwanda, we celebrate harvest and community bonds through Umuganura.”
Freddy Ornelas, a senior majoring in fashion merchandising with a minor in entrepreneurship from Fort Worth, Texas, reflects on the importance of gratitude within Mexican culture.
“For us, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are about spending time with people we love, thanking God for each other, and creating an environment where everyone feels included,” he explains.
TCU’s ISO is dedicated to engaging international and domestic students, faculty and staff across campus. Its mission is to build innovative and tangible programs that foster global engagement while supporting TCU’s commitment to developing responsible and ethical global leaders.
"Friendsgiving reflects TCU’s commitment to fostering belonging and intercultural understanding. Bringing together students from different backgrounds to share traditions and gratitude strengthens our global community," explains Joshua Kai, director of International Student Services.
"We are proud to give international students and the broader campus community the opportunity to experience Thanksgiving while building meaningful connections. We are grateful to our campus partners for making this celebration possible."
This event creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for international students. Events like these reinforce TCU’s commitment to building community and belonging, leaving students with full hearts and a shared sense of gratitude.