The Surprised Guest (2 min)
Mina, a student from South Korea, was spending her first Thanksgiving in the U.S. Since she didn’t know much about the holiday and had no family nearby, she planned to stay in her dorm and watch movies.
On Thanksgiving morning, her professor, Dr. James, sent her a message:
“Would you like to come to my house for dinner?”
Mina felt surprised and nervous. She didn’t expect a teacher to invite her, but she said yes.
When she arrived, she saw a big table filled with food—turkey, mashed potatoes, pies, and even kimchi, a Korean dish. Dr. James had made it just for her.
“Why did you make this?” Mina asked, touched.
“I thought it might make you feel more at home,” he said with a warm smile.
Later, everyone shared what they were thankful for. When it was Mina’s turn, she said,
“I’m thankful for kindness I didn’t expect.”
That evening, Mina felt happy and welcomed. She learned that Thanksgiving is not just about food—it’s about feeling connected. Even far from her family, she felt at home.
Discussion Questions: (20 min)
- Why did Dr. James invite Mina to his house for Thanksgiving?
(Answer: Dr. James invited Mina because she was away from her family, and he wanted her to feel welcome and at home.) - What special dish did Dr. James make for Mina, and why was it meaningful?
(Answer: Dr. James made kimchi, a Korean dish, to help Mina feel more connected to her culture and make her feel at home.) - What did Mina say when it was her turn to share what she was thankful for?
(Answer: Mina said, “I’m thankful for kindness I didn’t expect.”) - Have you ever been far from home, like Mina? How did you stay connected to your culture or family during that time?(This encourages students to share personal experiences of being away from home and how they found ways to stay connected.)
- Think about a time when you felt welcomed in an unexpected way. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from the experience?
(This invites reflection on moments of kindness and inclusion, similar to Mina’s Thanksgiving experience.)
Summary: (read the summary together, 8 min)
1. Connect with Others
– Join clubs or groups and invite classmates to hang out.
2. Offer and Receive Kindness
– Help others and accept invitations to build new friendships.
3. Share Your Culture
– Share food, stories, or teach others words from your language.
4. Embrace New Experiences
– Try new activities, explore local events, and learn about different cultures.
5. Make Anywhere Feel Like Home
– Stay in touch with family and create a comfortable space for yourself.
Love your neighbor as yourself. — Mark 12:31
Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. — Mark Twain