Chris Banyas
Staff Writer
Imagine attending a university thousands of miles away from your family. Now imagine what it would be like to be there during the holiday season.
Everyone around you is making plans to visit family, or to celebrate in some way. What do you do?
Idaho State University has seen the largest increase in the number of international students in the history of the college this year.
Many of these students find themselves in the situation described above, and must make holiday plans for themselves. For many visiting family is not an option.
Ibrahim Alsalem, a Civil Engineering major from Saudi Arabia, celebrated Thanksgiving last year by traveling to be with his family.
“I went to my family in California. We met together. Some of them came from Colorado and the others from Pennsylvania,” said Alsalem. “We went together and we ate together and we had fun.”
Their Thanksgiving menu consisted of traditional Saudi foods rather than American cuisine.
“My first year in America I used to live with an American woman, and I went with her to her family, and we celebrated and I really liked it,” said Alsalem.
The holiday most similar to Thanksgiving that is celebrated in Saudi Arabia is called Eid al-Adha. Also known as “Feast of the Sacrifice,” Eid al-Adha celebrates Abraham being willing to sacrifice his son to show obedience to God. It is celebrated during the fall.
Kumar Shah, a Business Management major from Nepal, celebrated Thanksgiving last year by getting together with friends.
“Last year I was with my friends for Thanksgiving,” said Shah. “Thanksgiving is for the turkey stuff and watching football and appreciating the friends who help along all year.”
This year Shah is planning a camping trip with friends to celebrate. He described what many other international students do for the holiday.
“They usually get together and they buy the turkey and they cook,” said Shah. “They sing, they dance and they do a bonfire until late night.”
Last year the celebration Shah attended drew some additional attention.
“The cops came and said, ‘Show me your IDs,’ and, ‘Why are you making noise?’ and told us to make less noise,” said Shah.
Along with Thanksgiving comes Black Friday. Both Shah and Alsalem are considering braving the crowds for the sale prices.
Various Pocatello groups put on free Thanksgiving meals annually that are open to anyone, including ISU’s international students who may not have alternate holiday plans.
The Salvation Army, located at 400 N. Fourth Ave., in Pocatello will host a Thanksgiving dinner put on by Calvary Chapel Nov. 28 from noon to 2 p.m.
The First National Bar, located at 232 W. Center St., will host a smoke and alcohol-free Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 28 from noon to 4 p.m.
