Victory Campus Ministries, with support from SMU Senate, and in conjunction with Global Connections, the International Student Fellowship and the Interfaith Dialogue Series, will host its second annual International Thanksgiving Celebration Monday evening at 6 p.m.

Daniel Bunker began the new tradition when he arrived at the VCM chapter in Dallas from the University of Southern California at Los Angeles. “It was my idea to introduce international students to our national holiday of Thanksgiving,” he said. “I wanted to give them insight into American culture.”

More than 120 students attended last year’s event, many of whom attend SMU from more than 18 different countries.

Students will begin the evening by mixing together and chatting with the aid of the 20 table hosts present to facilitate conversation. Bethany Johnson, a table host for this year’s event, said she was looking forward to participating. “It’s good to bring them [international students] together,” she said.

Table hosts will also help the attendees in playing a wide array of community-building games designed to help students get to know one another. Prizes will be available for the winners.

Next. students will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet-style, said Bunker. The catered dinner, provided free courtesy of funding from Student Senate, will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Before everyone eats, a blessing will be said in multiple languages. Following dinner, students will see a skit and short presentation designed to provide them insight into this American tradition, said Bunker.

“We want them to be able to enjoy a traditional dinner in a welcoming atmosphere,” Bunker said.