We’re now halfway through November, so it is safe to say that fall is very much in-season! Yesterday afternoon, our Intensive English students got to celebrate Thanksgiving early with a delicious meal, delightful conversation, and some fun and games to top it off.
Students came downstairs after class and quickly sat around the tables, ready to enjoy whatever was on the menu. The sound of fall-themed music filled the room as each student lined up to get their plate of food, drink, and dessert.
First up was the main course - turkey! As the most typical Thanksgiving food, this was the first thing many students noticed on their plates. Cranberry sauce and savory stuffing were included as well. Each plate also came with a few side dishes - mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and a dinner roll. To some students, the most important part of this Thanksgiving meal was the dessert. With a choice between chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin cream cheese pie, or apple pie, there was something sweet and tasty for everyone to enjoy!
While eating, our Intensive English students noticed some small pieces of paper on their tables. With pens in hand, they each wrote what they were thankful for this year. One student wrote, “One thing that I’m thankful for is the opportunity of living in Houston and improving my English skills.” Others were thankful for good health, good food, making new friends, and enjoying their time in the Intensive English Program.
After lunch, the students were presented with a game of Thanksgiving-themed trivia, with some prizes to be won for those who could answer the questions correctly!
Students’ hands shot up quickly in the air as each of the six questions were asked. One question, for example, was “When was the first Thanksgiving celebrated?” with several different years to pick as an answer.
Once the trivia game was over, all six winners posed together for a group picture and each won a pair of festive socks to take home.! After some more time for photos, conversations, and laughter, the lunch ended and students began to head home, thinking about each memory they’d made with their new friends this session.
Speaking of giving thanks, we’re thankful to you for reading this blog post! We’ll have more exciting social activities and new stories to read very soon.
By Hadrian Barbosa