November 21, 2005

Events to bring international students together for holiday season

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – International students at Purdue University will have several opportunities to gather and celebrate the holiday season, even if they can't make it back to their home countries.

Students and scholars and their families are invited to the Fifth Annual Winter Hospitality Luncheon on Dec. 6. The free luncheon, featuring traditional American holiday fare of turkey and trimmings, will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Center, 535 W. State St. in West Lafayette. University Religious Leaders, the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Graduate School are sponsoring the event.

"This is an opportunity for the campus and the community to offer hospitality and wish happy holidays to the many students who may not have the chance to make it home for the holidays," said Nancy Montague, immigration counselor for the Office of International Students and Scholars.

She said about 250 attended the luncheon last year. This year, they are hoping for about 270. There are more than 5,000 international students and scholars at Purdue.

Also that week, international students will have the opportunity to see the Purdue Musical Organizations' 72nd annual Christmas Show for a special price. The show will have six performances Dec. 9-11 at Elliott Hall of Music.

"PMO is offering two tickets for the price of one for all international students who want to see this spectacular show," Montague said. "Last year, we reserved 200 tickets and they sold out. This year, we're bumping that number up to 300."

She said a block of seats has been reserved for each performance so the students can share the experience. Ticket prices for college students are regularly $20 each.

Another holiday event will take students off campus. International students are invited Dec. 11 to take a trip to the annual drive-through Living Nativity display at Faith Baptist Church on Indiana 26 in Lafayette.

"This gives students a great opportunity to see how many observe the holidays in this country, something many of the students have never seen," Montague said.

She said the reaction to holiday events organized by the Office of Students and Scholars in the past has been positive, which has the office thinking of more ways to involve students each year.

"They are always very appreciative of being included during the holidays," she said. "They not only get the chance to learn about the country they are staying in but also to meet other international students."

Tickets are required for students for all the events and must be picked up at campus box offices. The Office of International Students and Scholars is e-mailing instructions to all international students on how and when to obtain tickets.

Those with questions about the events can contact Montague at (765) 496-2306 or nancym@purdue.edu.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Nancy Montague, (765) 496-2306, nancym@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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