St Mary’s Celebrates Thanksgiving

Staff and students at St Mary’s University, Twickenham recently held a celebratory meal to mark the American Thanksgiving holiday. Those attending the event included current St Mary’s international students, visiting students from partner universities in the United States, and St Mary’s alumni who spent a semester abroad. A small group of students from the New York and London-based Mountbatten Institute, who study on St Mary’s Postgraduate International Business Practice programme, also joined the dinner. In accordance with American custom, in his words of grace St Mary's Chaplain, Father Benedict Jonak, invited guests to participate in a moment of reflection on faith, friends, family and sharing, as well as on those in need. Mariann Baker, Head of the International Office at St Mary’s, said, “The annual Thanksgiving meal is one of the highlights of the year for St Mary’s international community. We aim to create a home away from home for our students. Their families, if they are visiting from the States at this time, are always welcome to join us; it was wonderful to have families celebrating with us again this year.” The dinner is one in a series of events held throughout the year at St Mary’s where international students are invited to engage with home students and staff in a social setting. The study abroad students were invited by the International Team to remain in touch beyond their stay at St Mary’s, and to be part of the University’s developing network of international alumni. The Study Abroad Team are expecting record numbers of visiting students for the second semester of the 2014/15 academic year from the United States. The Chaplaincy, the Students' Union and the International Office are working together and with other University departments to ensure a welcoming and rich student experience all year round. To see pictures from the Thanksgiving Dinner, please visit St Mary’s Facebook page.