For me, the first thing I heard about Harvard from current students was the community.

Current students say that although there are beautiful libraries and amazing resources, it is the students and faculty that are at the core of their experience. Community is a word that is so frequently used that in some cases I was unsure what it meant. My experience on Thanksgiving demonstrates what community at Harvard means to me.

I decided to stay on campus for Thanksgiving, for a multitude of reasons, one being that the distance to travel home to sunny Arizona and back would eat up a chunk of time that would prevent me from enjoying some rest. Yet, I wrestled with being homesick and the practicality of staying on campus for this short break. Part of this homesickness was the knowledge that growing up, any holiday, religious celebration, or milestone was celebrated with family or friends. My family, my mom, dad, and brother, celebrate everything together. As the daughter and sister to immigrants, we would teach, learn, and navigate life by each other's side. The challenges and opportunities of a new country brought us together, and this meant that every milestone is celebrated together. Thanksgiving is a time for us to give thanks for these triumphs and milestones. Yet the practicalities of staying on campus won, and so with this decision, I watched as my friends left for home. I said goodbye and wished everyone well as they made the commute home.

At first, I enjoyed the quietness of my dorm without the sounds of doors slamming and the shuffle of noise outside the doors, I enjoyed bingeing my favorite shows and enjoying some much-needed rest. But I started to feel uneasy without the sounds that accompany my household around holidays. At first, this feeling was foreign to me, because usually, I am okay on my own, enjoying the silence of my thoughts. What got me “all in my feels”, was calling home and seeing my mom prepping and marinating food, it was almost like I could smell the spices. As we laughed and discussed her food plans for the next day, and as my dad was cleaning the house, it started to hit me that I was celebrating this holiday, seemingly alone.

Yet, I was determined to keep a positive attitude and so I started my day at St. Paul’s Parish. This beautiful church is right next to my house, Adams House, which is a dorm that hosts sophomore students and above. I walked in and took my usual spot observing the beautifully decorated altar, but I deeply felt the absence of my parents and brother at a time when we go and celebrate mass together. I missed joking with my dad and singing hymns with my mom. Yet, as I looked around, I also saw Harvard students who were celebrating mass together. As we greeted each other it assured me that there were people I knew who were also celebrating Thanksgiving on campus. That I was not “seemingly alone”.

The next milestone that I was unsure about was Thanksgiving lunch. I was worried that without my family, it would not feel like a celebration, just another day at school. Yet, a tutor within the Adams House community reached out inviting students staying on campus to gather and walk to Annenberg (the biggest dining hall on campus). I decided to join, apprehensive because I was not sure I would recognize anyone in the group, because even though I saw students I knew at church they were in different houses, but I knew that I wanted to celebrate this holiday with others.

I learned that these fears were misguided when I joined the group, although I did not know most of the twenty people in the group, I recognized my house tutors and resident deans who joined together in this Thanksgiving celebration. After initial introductions, we got into amazing conversations from housing renewal operations to the dumbest crimes committed. It truly felt like a celebration laughing and joking about the past year. Although I deeply felt the absence of sneaking some food from the steaming fragrant smelling curries my mom makes or joking with my brother about our dad’s attempt to sneak some ice cream from our plates, I felt like I had people who were in this moment with me, missing our families but joining together in our attempt to make this day great for each other.

Part of this attempt at making a great day was the Harvard University Dining Service workers. The workers had worked days in advance on decorations and food placements to make a beautiful dining place. With the tablecloths and individualized centerpieces, it felt like sitting at a friend’s table. The wrapped utensils and beautiful breadboard added to this feeling. Seeing all the workers smiling and happy, laughing and joking reminded me of my mom with her sisters working in tandem to put out amazing food. Although the food I eat on Thanksgiving consists of Pulao, fragrant yellow rice, and Sorpotel, a Goan pork curry, I enjoyed the fare provided. The sweet yams and hams were supplemented by mashed potatoes and green beans. By the end, I was stuffed with good food and conversation.

As I joked about the surprisingly mild weather evening we were having, and the two hours spent over lunch, I realized I was ready for a nap, but also that I enjoyed spending a holiday on campus. Spending time with my church and house community at Harvard made the day feel like a celebration. Many students do choose to commute back to their families, but even if you choose to stay on campus, I know you will be surrounded by your Harvard community.