Every year for the Thanksgiving holiday, Barnard’s Office of Development and Alumnae Relations, in partnership with the College’s International Student Services, pairs undergraduate students with local alumnae for the Millie Thanksgiving Program as a way to bolster a sense of community. A popular tradition with many students and alumnae, the program signed up more than 40 students this year whose hometowns are in China, Hong Kong, India, France, Japan, Taiwan, and the U.K.
“During this second year of Millie’s Thanksgiving, students once again had the opportunity to connect with local alums, enjoy warm hospitality, and taste some of the most beloved Thanksgiving dishes, like turkey, mashed potatoes, and delicious pies,” said Valerie Monaco, director of International Student Services. “It was truly a perfect opportunity for the students to learn about the traditions and flavors that make this holiday so special, while also engaging in cultural exchange with the alums and their guests in a welcoming and comfortable setting.”
In the spirit of giving, the program offers students and alumnae a delicious opportunity to learn about and from each other, which ultimately leads to the formation of deep Barnard bonds. Below are comments from two students and one alumna, reflecting on the experience.
Melody Fang ’25, Cognitive Science and Economics Major
Hometown: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Thanksgiving: “Aya Yamauchi ’28, Jeanine Huang ’28, and I went to Ridgewood, New Jersey, and had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner with Candace Kohler Papageorge ’96 and her family. This was my first Millie’s Thanksgiving, and I chose to go because this is my last chance before I graduate to eat a Thanksgiving meal with a Barnard alumna before I become one myself.”
Favorite dish: “I loved the brie cheese puff pastry, the extremely juicy turkey, the cranberry sauce, and the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that Candace’s daughter, Violet, made. I also [enjoyed] the cream cheese covered in sweet pepper jam — it’s a new charcuterie board recipe!”
Highlights: “The best parts of our night with Candace’s family were chatting about ChatGPT and AI over the charcuterie spread — the banter over the dinner table reminded me of my own home; the dogs — Dash and Doug — eating part of the stuffing; playing Jackbox post-dinner with Candace’s children — Theo, Benjamin, and Violet; and hearing about Candace and her husband’s love story. I also loved how energized and curious Candace’s family was.”
Candace Kohler Papageorge ’96
Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey
Students hosted: A senior from Taiwan, a first-year from Japan, and another first-year from China
Thanksgiving: “This was our first time hosting. We were having a small Thanksgiving at home this year and thought it would be a great time to open our door to some fabulous students from my beloved alma mater.”
Highlights: “Everything! We adored having them in our home. They fit in seamlessly with our family, despite the many cultural differences. I have an 18-year-old son, a 16-year-old daughter who is hoping to one day be a Barnard student herself, and a 13-year-old son. We have traveled extensively as a family, including to countries in Asia, like Thailand and Indonesia. This summer, we visited Japan, so there was much to talk about. We also shared a lot of laughs and stories about college, and the young women were incredibly gracious with my kids — answering all of their questions about their families, how they feel living in NYC, what they miss about home. My oldest son and daughter love history and travel. They both know a good deal about different countries around the world, so they sat for an hour at our Thanksgiving table with the students in discussions about geopolitics, music, culture, and travel. It was so great to witness and listen to. We had an awesome time! Love these young women. I offered to have them back anytime they needed a break from NYC.”
Yichen Liu ’27, Economics-Statistics Major
Hometown: Beijing, China
Thanksgiving: “Maia Michaelson ’83 hosted me with Lisa Li ’25. It was my first Millie’s Thanksgiving, and I chose to participate to engage in cultural exchange and to deepen my connection with Barnard. Sharing this experience with an alumna not only helped me feel more connected to the Barnard community, but it also strengthened my ties to its broader network, fostering a sense of belonging beyond campus. At the same time, meeting people from different cultural backgrounds in such a welcoming setting was a meaningful opportunity to build connections. Hearing their stories further broadened my perspective and enriched the experience.”
Favorite dish: “Grilled salmon and cheesecake with raspberry sauce.”
Highlights: “Thanks to our alumna, we had the opportunity to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including those from the U.S., China, Lebanon, Japan, and more. Sharing cultural traditions, languages, and personal stories deepened our understanding and appreciation of one another’s cultures. It was truly inspiring to see how our differences brought us closer together.”
Reflecting Over Dinner on Campus
