Many international students, with some domestic students, stayed on campus to celebrate Thanksgiving on campus. Today, I hope to share few highlights I did during my thanksgiving stay!

1. Bubble Tea Trip with the i2i Team

Of course, my fellow members from i2i, Amherst’s student-led accelerator, and I decided to grab some bubble tea at Moge Tea, my favorite spot in town. Over the warm bubble teas, we had the chance to relax and getting to colleagues beyond classroom and clubs. We got to know each other better, from discussing our unique hobbies to sharing funny stories and personal interests. Through this bonding event, I believed that we got to came close, and help us build a stronger sense of community within the team.

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2. Sorting Out Permit

I had a relaxing Thanksgiving and an exciting milestone—I got my first-ever permit! Jiyuan, another Admissions blogger, joined me on this adventure to Easthampton. The trip took about an hour on the PVTA, but it turned out to be a wonderful bonding experience. On the way, we enjoyed the breathtaking scenery of Pioneer Valley! To make it even better, we treated ourselves to some bubble tea from local stores in Northampton.

3. ISA Dinner

While the campus was quiet during Thanksgiving break, students found creative ways to come together and enjoy a well-deserved dinner. I had the pleasure of attending two special dinner sessions: the International Gathering hosted by the International Students Association (ISA) and the Autumn in the Valley dinner hosted by the Office of the President.

Invited by an ISA e-board member, I arrived early to observe the preparation for the International Gathering dinner. It was inspiring to see the hard work of the volunteer cooks and organizers who made the event possible. From sourcing ingredients from a local Asian market to carefully preparing dishes like cutting chicken, their dedication was evident in every detail. This gathering provided a heartwarming sense of community, making up for the distance from family during the holiday.

My colleague, Jiyuan, also shared an insightful piece covering Thanksgiving meals in detail, so feel free to check it out here!

4. Badminton

During Thanksgiving break, the Amherst Badminton team held a fun practice session where we enjoyed scrimmages and camaraderie. It was a great opportunity to connect with upperclassmen and share lighthearted conversations about being on campus during the holiday.

5. 📚Studying

Amid all the fun, I also had to tackle some work. With final deadlines looming, I squeezed in study sessions to make progress on my final papers. Thankfully, despite Thanksgiving being just around the corner, many campus resources were still available to students. One of the most helpful was the Writing Center, where I brainstormed ideas and received valuable feedback on my papers. In the evening, I shifted gears to focus on my computer science final project, where I’m designing a Mario-inspired game. Balancing work and relaxation made for a productive yet enjoyable day!