Back in Santiago, Chile, November usually means things are heating up, literally. We're battling the worst of the spring allergies, embracing the strong sun, and starting to smell those glorious summer vacations just around the corner. My first November in the United States was quite different from this, because I was about to be promoted from curious observer to confused participant in a deeply American ritual. Suddenly, everyone was discussing travel plans, casseroles, and which stores would be open that weekend, and I found myself genuinely excited about this new experience I was about to have.
My knowledge about Thanksgiving Day was deeply rooted in Hollywood movies: you must be dressed for cold weather, gather with your family, and cook a very big turkey for everyone. But what did that mean to me? Houston is definitely not that cold, my family is far away, and even a whole rotisserie chicken seems like too much food just for me.
The truth is, my first Thanksgiving was nothing like the ones depicted in the movies. It was infinitely better. This experience showed me that the core of this holiday, connection and gratitude, can be easily adapted to welcome anyone, regardless of where they call home.
My Introduction to the Potluck Concept
As the holiday season approached, I realized this long break wasn't just about the turkey or the sudden change in temperature; it was an important opportunity to share a good moment with my friends. Since my family couldn't be here, Thanksgiving became a valuable chance to strengthen the bonds with my new Rice family. I quickly became familiar with the concept of a potluck, where everyone brings a dish to share with others. This kind of collaborative gathering is incredibly common around the Thanksgiving break, even if it doesn't happen on the exact holiday Thursday. What made our Rice Fulbright potluck truly special was the menu: even if we didn't stick to traditional American food, the idea of tasting dishes from different parts of the world and having a good time with my friends was something truly meaningful. I was happy to have the opportunity to experience genuine community during this typically American holiday season.
After seeing countless movie scenes featuring stressed hosts and mandatory, complicated dishes, I was relieved that our potluck was so relaxed. This was Thanksgiving adapted for grad student life! It was less about tradition and more about the fun of sharing. Instead of cranberry sauce and stuffing, we traded recipes and stories about food from our home countries. While there was no giant turkey centerpiece, there was certainly enough laughter and flavor to make the whole gathering feel profoundly festive and, most importantly, uniquely ours.
Traveling During Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in the U.S. means one thing for most of my American colleagues: going home. Suddenly, Rice campus cleared out, leaving me and many other international students facing a long break with no option for a quick flight back to our countries. While the distance made a family dinner impossible, I realized this was a fantastic opportunity for a different kind of American experience: the long-weekend road trip.
I quickly learned the biggest challenge is knowing what will be open. Thanksgiving Day is when a huge number of businesses are completely closed. I saw this not as an inconvenience, but as an invitation to explore other places.
Last year, I took advantage of the mild November weather in Texas to explore Austin. Since most of the businesses were shut down, the city's natural green spaces were wide open and wonderfully quiet. I spent time hiking scenic trails, getting a needed mental break away from the intensity of the lab and the library. It was cool, breezy, and the perfect counterprogram to the indoor, feast-focused holiday I had seen in the movies.
I came to the United States with a Hollywood trademark image of Thanksgiving: a cold setting, a huge turkey, and a mandatory family gathering. As an international graduate student thousands of miles from my own family, that tradition seemed impossible to replicate.
However, my time at Rice has taught me that the true spirit of this holiday is infinitely flexible. It’s not about the cold weather or the turkey; it’s about intentionally pausing to connect. My first Thanksgiving was an unexpected lesson in community, proving that even a deeply American ritual can be perfectly adapted by a global group of grad students. Between the laughter at our international potluck and the quiet solitude of exploring Texas, I discovered something more valuable than any movie tradition: a profound sense of belonging. The holiday, once weird and foreign, is now a welcome yearly reminder that I have found a home and a family here at Rice.
About the Author:
Sebastián Berríos-Carvajal is from Santiago, Chile, and is a current Ph. D. candidate in Applied Physics. He got his B.S in Physics at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in 2020.
Further Reading:
Culture Shock 101: From The Perspective of a Nigerian/African first-timer in the Western world