While moving in, all my friends were getting ready for the next trip home: Thanksgiving. As midterms continued, people kept talking about how excited they were to see their friends back home, and I wouldn’t say a word.
Why?
Going home for Thanksgiving was just a little out of the budget for me this year. Flying back and forth from California is expensive and honestly, it gets even more expensive around the holidays.
So… what are you going to do for your four days off?
Well, I booked a flight to Barcelona, Spain! Since a lot of people don’t go to Spain for a couple of days, it was surprisingly cheaper than going home.
What are you going to do there?
One of my best friends from back home is studying abroad in Barcelona, so I am going to spend Thanksgiving with her exploring a country I’ve dreamed about going too.
Sure, I won’t be eating mashed potatoes, turkey and green beans, but I’ll be experiencing a brand new culture with a person who is family…isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about?
Sometimes, when we are at school, we often forget the true meaning of these holidays. For one, it’s not about going home, but it’s about being with people you love. Surrounding yourself with family, people you love, is the reason why you go “home for the holidays.” It’s a place you feel at home and it assures you that you are going to be okay.
That’s what we all need, especially after midterms.
So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m going to spend the holidays with a friend who also can’t go home and we are going to make a Thanksgiving adventure together in Spain! We’ll explore, eat well, and enjoy a vibrant city full of culture while being with someone we love.
So going into the holidays, just remember, it’s important to know why you are there. You’re not there to just “go home,” you’re there to be with your home, your family.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Be thankful for everything you got (and for the fact that the semester is almost over!)
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