It’s that time of year again: All your college friends are catching flights home, reuniting with their families, and hanging out with their high school friends. You wish you could be stuffing your face with your mom’s home-cooked meals like everyone else, but home is 8,000 miles away. As an international student myself, I know this feeling all too well. But Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be lonely or boring. Leaning into a community, even a small one, helps more than you’d think. Here’s four ways you can make the most of your free time this Thanksgiving:
- Zoos, gardens, and paragliders: Complete your San Diego bucket list
This is your chance to do everything you have been too busy to do during the school year. You can take this break to tick some activities off your bucket list: Go whale-watching in La Jolla or finally become one of the paragliders at Torrey Pines Gliderport. If you’re in the mood for something touristy, check out the world-famous San Diego Zoo, wander around the gardens and cafes at Balboa Park, or catch a show at the Old Globe Theatre. For a more luxurious outing, visit the Hotel del Coronado and enjoy a Thanksgiving-themed meal at its buffet. The list of things to do is truly endless, and most of my personal favorite spots — like the Botanical Building and Lily Pond in Balboa Park or the inviting lineup of restaurants in Little Italy — are easily accessible via the Blue Line trolley!
- Gather and feast: Host a Friendsgiving
Thanksgiving isn’t only about appreciating family; take Thanksgiving as a time to be grateful for the friends that make college feel like home. Gather your friends staying in San Diego and host a dorm Friendsgiving. For low-cost decor that’s still classy, set up a “gratitude board” using a medium-sized poster board and pens and have everyone write down something they appreciate about each other. Organize a pot-luck style dinner and ask each person to bring a dish that reminds them of home, or set up a circle where everyone goes around sharing special traditions from their country. This is a great chance to get closer to others in the same boat as you and learn about new cultures!
- Ride and repeat: Day trip to a theme park
San Diego is the perfect distance from several Southern California theme parks to make a quick day trip to. If you’re in the mood for something playful and fun that’s relatively close to UCSD, visit Legoland in Carlsbad. For classic rides located further north, check out Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. If you’re in the mood to relive your childhood with something magical, head to Disneyland in Anaheim and soak up all the nostalgia. For thrill-seekers, Six Flags in Valencia offers the perfect blend of fun and adventure, with an endless lineup of roller coasters and rides to fill your day. To get to Los Angeles, hop on the Amtrak Surfliner for a scenic ride up to the city, and then take an Uber straight from there to the parks!
Note: These theme parks are spread out across Southern California and may require an overnight stay to make the trip worth it. Take the time off to reward yourself for the work you’ve put in this quarter — you deserve it!
- Cozy up: Plan a weekend escape
If you’re down for a little more than a day-long detour and eager to escape the San Diego bubble, there are numerous nearby locations for a four-day staycation with your friends. If you’re looking for a cozy, winter vibe, Big Bear has charming cabins overlooking stunning mountain views — the perfect place to ring in December. Palm Springs, on the other hand, offers desert sunshine and boutique hotels — ingredients for ideal relaxation. Both destinations are no more than a four-hour drive from San Diego, making them the ultimate detox before the quarter picks up again!
No matter how far away home feels during the holidays, Thanksgiving can still be meaningful. Whether you’re exploring the city, sharing a meal with friends, or taking a spontaneous trip, you’re creating new traditions of your own. Being an international student isn’t always easy, but it also opens the door to new and exciting experiences. So, this Thanksgiving, give yourself the space to enjoy, discover, and rest; you deserve it!
