Every year, UB faculty and staff show their holiday spirit by hosting Thanksgiving dinner for a number of international students.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and Teresa Miller, vice provost for equity and inclusion, are expanding this tradition through UB's first annual Inclusive Thanksgiving Program.

“Many international students travel during Thanksgiving break to visit friends and family in the U.S.,” says Ellen Dussourd, assistant vice provost and director of ISSS. “But not all students have a place to go. My hope is that the program will provide that ‘home away from home’ for students who stay in Buffalo during the break.”

By encouraging more host families to participate, the program will allow more international students to experience an American Thanksgiving while building the connection the campus has with the international community.

“ISSS and the UB community have consistently been involved in inclusive events, including Thanksgiving,” says Miller. “This collaboration marks a formal commitment to grow a tradition that fosters intercultural dialogue and captures the spirit of generosity that exists at UB.”

UB faculty and staff members interested in becoming a host family should complete a five-minute survey.

A committee will review the survey responses and match host families with compatible students. Chosen participants will receive information about the students with whom they’ve been matched by Nov. 17.

Host families will be expected to contact their student guests prior to Thanksgiving Day to introduce themselves and discuss logistics, such as arrival time and how long dinner may last.

International students interested in sharing Thanksgiving with a UB host family should complete the survey by Nov. 5.