Professor Hosts International Students for Christmas Dinner

As many AU students headed home for the holidays, a number of international students readied – some halfway around the world from home – to pass the break both near and on campus. Looking to spread the holiday cheer, School of International Service professor Sally Shelton-Colby opened her home to international students to share a traditional Christmas dinner.

For Weini Li, a graduate SIS student from China, it was her first holiday experience in the United States. Below you’ll find an excerpt from her blog on the occasion.

My First Christmas in the USA – Monday, December 26, 2011

This year, I was able to really celebrate Christmas for the first time in my life after living 22 years in China and 4 years in Japan. This is because a professor at my graduate school at American University (AU) invited us international students to have Christmas dinner at her place yesterday.

This was definitely an unforgettable and happy experience. It was only a 4-hour talk with a professor and four peer students, but I felt my whole winter break had already become meaningful. There is this professor that I have never met before, a student from Zimbabwe, another from Cyprus, and three from China including me.

We were able to talk with each other literally about anything happening any time anywhere in the world: the Boxer Rebellion, the apartheid era in South Africa, previous inflation in Zimbabwe, the current situation in Russia and the Middle East, the financial crisis in the US and Europe, the US presidential election, climate change and the melting Arctic, China in 2035, history textbooks in different countries, media theories, and of course, topics around professors and life at AU.

We were able to taste traditional American holiday cuisines made by the professor herself: turkey, sweet potato with walnuts, mashed potato with turnip, corn jelly, vegetable salad, American biscuits… accompanied with very nice wine! We were also very lucky to enjoy two wonderful desserts: chocolate walnut pie and pumpkin cheese cake.

However, the most amazing part was to hear about the professor's experiences in her previous career. For this reason, it was also academically the most rewarding Christmas I have ever had. Through the professor's stories in various prestigious occupations both in the US and in international organizations, I felt like we traveled over time and space and learned many anecdotes behind some historic events. It is definitely the most enriched but relaxed talk on world affairs I have ever had.

At the end, we were much honored to have a tour in the professor's house. Her photo collection is a treasure box for not only herself but also everyone. How many people have photos of the earth taken from the moon specifically taken for them? And what about a photo of a CIA director and a KGB standing face to face? It was just an eye-opening experience exploring her house.

I am really glad I chose to leave Asia and come to American University earlier this year. I am thankful to be able to meet fabulous leaders that shaped the world we have, friends with shared interests in international affairs, and everyone in the AU community who cares about and reaches the students beyond the classroom. I feel more and more grateful to AU and DC now. I guess this feeling is also a blessing from the Christmas holiday. Thank you.