Thanksgiving in Leeds

On Thanksgiving, Leeds alumni share their memories of celebrating the holiday in Leeds.

Thanksgiving is all about family and friends, and this year we’re celebrating the family and friends you made whilst you were in Leeds.

Do you remember Thanksgiving at Leeds? Who did you share it with? Where did you go? Did you introduce your global family to the tradition?

Enjoy Leeds alumni memories, and make sure to share your own.

Emmanuelle Katz (Art History 2014) – Albuquerque, New Mexico

I celebrated Thanksgiving in Leeds with my other study abroad friends. I was the only person from the US and everyone brought a dish from their home country. I’m not one to really celebrate Thanksgiving back home so it definitely stands out as my favourite one yet. I brought candied yams with marshmallows which is honestly disgusting but very American and it was so funny to see everyone try such an abomination of a dish. We ate, we drank, we were merry! It is still a memory I think about every year. Thankful for my time at Leeds!

Caroline Womack (English 2006) – Frisco, Texas

I spent Thanksgiving in Leeds in Leodis Hall with friends I met at school. I was with people from all over the world: Canada, USA, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Bermuda, Taiwan, China. We all brought a dish that was from our culture to share. It was probably the best Thanksgiving I ever had as a college student. Great memories!

Susan Larson Mealiea (JYA 1986) – Manassas, Virginia

I recall that the Administration Office staff that supported study abroad students were so supportive and caring.

They recognized that being away from home on a holiday that was so focused on family and such a part of our culture would be extra hard for us Americans. They organized a special dinner at a downtown restaurant for us and any guests we wished to invite. By November, I had a wonderful group of friends who wanted to join us. We had a fabulous time.

I loved sharing the traditions of my family with my friends for this special day. Thanks to Leeds for coordinating this special day that resulted in a lasting memory.

Gabrielle Repar (Linguistics 2017) – Orlando, Florida

I spent my second Thanksgiving in Leeds with the lovely Diane Nelson. I was lucky enough to have her as a lecturer, but she graciously invited me and some friends to her house to celebrate. I’ll never forget the beautiful memory we all created together.

Edward Meeks (Theology 1977) – Columbia, South Carolina

Another American student and I went searching for turkey on Thanksgiving Day, 1975. We finally found a restaurant in Leeds city centre (Whitelocks) that offered said fowl with at least some of the trimmings we thought essential. Regardless, it was all great fun – and provided much amusement for our British and Commonwealth colleagues.

Cassaundra Amato (Religion and Public Life 2008) – Philadelphia

We celebrated a combined American and Canadian Thanksgiving in our international hall in Leodis. It came complete with the addition of Yorkshire pudding!

Jessica Minton (Cognitive Development and Disorders 2021) – Charlotte, North Carolina

I cooked a traditional thanksgiving meal for all of my flatmates in Blenheim Point, sharing the holiday with girls from four different countries and cultures.

It was hard to find some necessary ingredients in the grocery stores for the recipes, but I improvised and found ways to make it work! I also FaceTimed my family back home and spent the morning talking to them since they were eating dinner already with the time difference. It was sad not being with them but I was happy learning and making new friendships and traditions in Leeds.

Stephen Day (Textile Technology 1967) – Washington DC

As a Brit, Thanksgiving at Leeds was an alien concept. However, it happened to coincide with hunting season in November. As such, I felt compelled to get with the spirit, and “borrowed” a brace of local pheasants for the occasion, combined with a cheap Bordeaux and all the trimmings. This was my Thanksgiving for graduating from Leeds.

Jessica Fougere (Journalism 2005) – Santa Barbara, California, USA

I was a study abroad student living in Leodis the first year the building was open. I cooked American Thanksgiving dinner for my English and Canadian flatmates and our neighbours who lived across the hall. It was the first time I’d ever cooked a big meal like that but it was a huge success.

I was so excited to introduce them to my version of Thanksgiving, I even had my mom mail me canned pumpkin so I could make pumpkin pie since I couldn’t find it in Leeds. Probably the most expensive pie I’ve ever made given the cost of shipping back then and not all of my flatmates were fans (pumpkin pie is an acquired taste), but I was so happy to have that taste of home to round out the dinner. It’s still one of my favourite memories when I think of my time at Leeds.

Mary Kay Buike (Social Work JYA) – Seattle, Washington

American Thanksgiving wasn't a thing when I was at Leeds in 1977.  I think I just had a normal day.  I might have gone on a night walk with the Hosteling Society on the Friday of that weekend.

Brian Joseph (Medicine 1961) – Lyn Haven, Florida

I have no recollection of Thanksgiving being a significant day when I lived in Leeds up to 1965. When I went to the USA where they did celebrate Thanksgiving. In fact one of the nurses at the hospital I worked at invited my wife and I to Thanksgiving dinner at her home which was the first time I "celebrated" it.