Thanksgiving Greetings From China

Thanksgiving Greetings

From Students @ Sias University

November 2012

In the spring, 2012, I taught at Sias University in China. I loved my students.  They were kind and loving and thoughtful  They cried when I left and I hated to leave them.  We stayed connected for the first couple of weeks but then I heard less and less from them.  

But that changed on Thanksgiving. I got emails all day long on Thursday from my Chinese students. They didn't really understand the day as it is not one of their holidays.  But the Chinese students understood that this must be an important day because on this day, the American teachers at Sias University only have to teach until noon.  They are then allowed to use the cafeteria kitchen and cook a Thanksgiving dinner for themselves and their English language classes are cancelled for the afternoon. All other classes on campus go on as scheduled.

 Here is a sample of emails I received:

Dear kelly
Have a good day for Thanksgiving day my girlfriend

Liam (Bush)

Hi, Bredget:

Hoe you doing? Happy Thanksgiving Day! Robert told me you two had a good conversation, and I am so glad that you will come back together. Looking forward to seeing you. Miss you! Haha~~

Carina

Hi Bridget there is a long time i didn't send you email . How are you these days. I guess you are celebrating the thanksgiving day. Hope you spend a good time . I miss you so much . Hope everything is going well with you . Maryann told me that you are looking for a job now . Do you find it ? And how was your new job . Hope to hear from you soon. I miss you! 

Emily

Hi Bridget,

Happy thanksgiving day!!!!

Enjoy it with your famliy and friends!!

Thank you for encourage me a lot!

My dearest coffee mother, Miss you so much!!

Love you ,

Olivia