Thanksgiving means turkey and footballs games to more than just American students. BYU's contingent of international students often partake in traditional turkey day festivities as well.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," said Steve Scott, 24, a junior majoring in MFHD, from Alberta, Canada. "So that's just what we do."

In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

But despite the differences, Scott said he and his wife gladly participate in America's day of thanks.

"I think it's awesome," he said. "More people practice Thanksgiving in America than they do in Canada. Everything is just done on a larger scale in America."

America is not the originator of the turkey day, however. Harvest celebrations have been in existence ever since the first harvest several thousand years ago.

Canadians are not rookies when it comes to celebrating thanksgiving either. It's a holiday that has existed in their country more than 40 years before the Pilgrims set foot on American soil.

There are many similarities between the two country's Thanksgivings, such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

As with America's holiday, Canadian Thanksgiving has always been a day that carried religious overtones. In 1957, the Canadian Parliament announced that on the second Monday in October, Thanksgiving would be "a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."

America began celebrating the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, after an official declaration from honest Abe in 1863.

Brandon Gibb, 22, a sophomore majoring in business management, from Alberta, Canada, said he can't find any reasons not to enjoy America's fowl festivities.

"A holiday is a holiday," Gibb said. "And if it's a holiday to be thankful, then I'm just grateful for a holiday."

Gibb said he was first introduced to America's turkey day tradition of playing football while serving his mission. "I believe it's a true holiday," Gibb said.

David Kenchington, 24, a sophomore majoring in Business, from Bournemouth England, said he loves getting involved with American holiday traditions.

"My wife and I do what every American does on Thanksgiving: Eat, sleep and American football," Kenchington said.

He said the holiday is unique from any practiced in the motherland, but he has still grown to love the celebration since living in the U.S.

"I think it's great," Kenchington said. "It's good to set aside time to give thanks to God."
Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Nov 2002