For many, Thanksgiving is synonymous with full tables, family laughter, and the warmth of home. For me, as an international student, this date has a different flavor, one that combines gratitude with an inescapable dose of reality. I don’t come from a country where Thanksgiving is a deep-rooted tradition, although the American cultural influence has always been present. But living here, far from my family, has transformed the day’s meaning from a cultural curiosity into a mirror that reflects both what I have left behind and what I am building.
I would be lying if I said it is easy. The absence of my loved ones feels sharper on days like this. The holidays, designed to celebrate connection, can paradoxically become reminders of distance. There are moments when loneliness tightens its grip, and the temptation to give in to nostalgia is strong. But I have learned that self-pity is not a good traveling companion on this path I have chosen.
Instead of complaining, I choose action. When emotion threatens to overwhelm me, I take refuge in discipline. I immerse myself in my studies or push myself to the limit in training. It is not a denial of my feelings, but a conscious choice to channel that energy towards the purpose that brought me here. It is my way of honoring the opportunity I have and the sacrifice it entails.
Communication with my family on these days is a delicate dance. I call them, I write to them, I seek that vital connection. But there is a part of my experience that I keep to myself. I know that for them it is also painful to know that I am alone on such a significant date. Imagining myself in their shoes makes me understand their worry. That is why, when I speak to them, I transmit strength and well-being. It is not a façade; it is an act of love and protection. I assume the emotional burden of my loneliness so as not to add weight to their hearts. It is my responsibility, part of the price of the decision I made.
To my fellow international students who might be facing their first Thanksgiving far from home, I say this: the loneliness on these dates is real, but so is our strength. We took a risk by migrating in search of education and opportunities. We must be responsible and aware of that decision, accepting the challenges that come with it without losing sight of the bigger goal. We are not here to be victims of circumstances, but to overcome them.
Technology is our ally, a bridge that allows us to be present in spirit even though our bodies are far away. Let’s use it to connect, to share a genuine smile with those we love. Let’s remember that our loneliness can hurt them more than it hurts us.
But beyond coping, there is profound gratitude. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, to educate myself in a country that many only dream of visiting. I am grateful for the family that loves and supports me, no matter the physical distance. And I am grateful for the ability to face these difficult moments, knowing that every challenge overcome is one more step toward the person I am becoming.
This Thanksgiving, my physical table may not be surrounded by my blood family, but my heart is full. Full of memories, purpose, and immense gratitude for the present and the future I am building. It is a different Thanksgiving, yes, but no less significant. It is a reminder that true strength and true gratitude often flourish in the most challenging terrains.
Rafael Linares is a student in the fall 2025 Media Writing class at NWACC.
