Hofstra Family Connection

Thanksgiving Homestay 2016

This time of year is meant for being thankful, but also giving. Our Hofstra families were a direct reflection of that this Thanksgiving. Four Hofstra families volunteered to host a combined 14 international students! Our Office of Parent and Family Programs and the Office of International Student Affairs have arranged this opportunity for students who either were not able to make it home for the holiday, or who wanted to experience the holiday for the first time.

 The Office of Parent and Family Programs reaches out to our Hofstra families to see who would be willing to volunteer to host a student…or several! Our Office for International Student Affairs reaches out to the student body to see who would like to be invited to a home for the holiday. The two offices then unite to match up students with a family to host them.

Our Hofstra parents were able to offer even more than a wonderful Thanksgiving spread! Alan Murray and Amada Abad from Westchester, NY, are active Hofstra parents for more than two years now. Mr. Murray works with the Parent Fund Leadership Committee; Hofstra students shadowed him in his Manhattan office of Moody's Investors Service and he presented to the Zarb School of Business students. Ms. Abad is a member of the Parent Council and has supported the Parent Council Chance Auction and has hosted three Thanksgiving stays for Hofstra’s international students. Their daughter, Celia Murray, psychology major, has made lasting friendships with her Hofstra guests, some of whom came more than once for their Thanksgiving feast.

The feedback we have received over the years indicates that this experience is one that allows both Hofstra families and students to grow and expand their horizons. We would like to give a tremendous thank you to our Hofstra families who opened up their homes!