Tech Students Seek Holiday Hosts

Georgia Tech students from 146 countries can register to share a Thanksgiving meal with a local host through November 19.

The Student Government Association, or SGA, launched this annual initiative to ensure undergraduate and graduate students who cannot return home do not spend the holiday alone. The program pairs students with faculty, staff, or alumni willing to open their homes.

SGA Executive Vice President Andrew Tso stated that the holiday is meant to celebrate community and gratitude. He noted that many students are not accustomed to observing Thanksgiving but still deserve a sense of community. Tso said, "On a day meant to celebrate community and gratitude, no student should be alone."

The university draws its student body from all 50 states and 146 countries. Tso believes the program captures a cross-cultural spirit inherent in the holiday season. He added that the initiative supports fellow students in any way possible, providing an experience they might otherwise miss.

Hosts typically welcome between two and six students. Scott Madigan, an electrical engineering graduate from 1979, and his wife Claudia have participated in previous years. Madigan described the experience as rewarding, citing the diversity and talent of the young people they meet. He encouraged other alumni with available seating to consider hosting.

Madigan noted that the gesture of hospitality makes the holiday more special for students away from home. The SGA will continue accepting registrations until Thursday, November 19.