26 November 2008
Dear Parents,
We will be sharing Thanksgiving with your son or daughter at the Cairo Marriott Hotel, which has created a lovely spread that could be enjoyed anywhere in the United States for Thanksgiving. Along with Grilled Wild Turkey, we are also being served Smoked Duck Breast. Our Alaskan student was delighted to see that Alaskan Crab Soup was on the menu as well.
Many students will probably have a touch of homesickness, or at least nostalgia for home, during the holiday, but be assured they will also be celebrating with a group that has become a bit like family. Our Term in Middle East (TIME) group started out with many of us not knowing each other well, but throughout the semester everyone has learned a lot about one another and the group has many of the dynamics of a nuclear family, albeit a very large family. I realized how well the students knew each other when they were playing a game where you had to guess what kind of animal you would hypothetically be, and the students would often immediately know which students would pick what animals. They have shared many experiences together and have learned about themselves while also learning about a part of the world far from home.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks to God for the many blessings and opportunities in our lives. We feel blessed in many ways, and the students have stated that well in the letter that was sent you all earlier this week. We personally feel blessed to have such a great group of kids to travel and learn with. Thanks for letting them be part of this program. As the TIME program concludes, we look forward to seeing ways that this program impacts the rest of your child's time at college and later with career and life decisions.
In conclusion, quoting words a friend once gave us, "Home is where the heart is, though the chain may lengthen, it never parts." Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Dave and Pat Van Wylen
P.S. In case you're worried about the academic rigor of the program, you should know that we will have class Thanksgiving Day morning before taking the afternoon off to celebrate.
Dear Parents,
We will be sharing Thanksgiving with your son or daughter at the Cairo Marriott Hotel, which has created a lovely spread that could be enjoyed anywhere in the United States for Thanksgiving. Along with Grilled Wild Turkey, we are also being served Smoked Duck Breast. Our Alaskan student was delighted to see that Alaskan Crab Soup was on the menu as well.
Many students will probably have a touch of homesickness, or at least nostalgia for home, during the holiday, but be assured they will also be celebrating with a group that has become a bit like family. Our Term in Middle East (TIME) group started out with many of us not knowing each other well, but throughout the semester everyone has learned a lot about one another and the group has many of the dynamics of a nuclear family, albeit a very large family. I realized how well the students knew each other when they were playing a game where you had to guess what kind of animal you would hypothetically be, and the students would often immediately know which students would pick what animals. They have shared many experiences together and have learned about themselves while also learning about a part of the world far from home.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks to God for the many blessings and opportunities in our lives. We feel blessed in many ways, and the students have stated that well in the letter that was sent you all earlier this week. We personally feel blessed to have such a great group of kids to travel and learn with. Thanks for letting them be part of this program. As the TIME program concludes, we look forward to seeing ways that this program impacts the rest of your child's time at college and later with career and life decisions.
In conclusion, quoting words a friend once gave us, "Home is where the heart is, though the chain may lengthen, it never parts." Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Dave and Pat Van Wylen
P.S. In case you're worried about the academic rigor of the program, you should know that we will have class Thanksgiving Day morning before taking the afternoon off to celebrate.
