The Harvard Host Family Program, initiated over 40 years ago, connects new international students with local families to aid their adjustment to life at Harvard. One of the founding hosts, Diane Gallagher, has created a warm Thanksgiving tradition that brings students from various countries together with her family. This program, predominantly run by volunteers, encourages cultural exchange and support, providing students with a home-like experience as they navigate their new environment. The initiative highlights the lasting impacts of community and familial support on the lives of international students.
"It's really been such a wonderful thread in the tapestry of the Gallaghers' lives," said Maura Gallagher. "It's something that we all just enjoy immensely."
"The table was lively and full, as Diane had invited her neighbors and children. It felt like a big, warm gathering," said Isa Salmanu.
Gallagher became one of the first volunteers to sign on after expressing the need to support incoming students from Africa to the secretary of then-President Derek Bok.
The program began in the late 1970s as a way to link new international students to local families with Harvard affiliations.
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