Student hopes to share Canadian holiday

Hassan Karaki loves Canada.

“I want to understand everything I can about Canadian culture,” says the third-year biotechnology student. “I love this country so much.”

Karaki hopes to be paired with a local family for the Host for the Holidays program, which matches international students with Windsor families willing to open their homes for a Thanksgiving meal.

He hasn’t seen his Lebanese homeland since arriving in Windsor more than two years ago. As much as he likes Windsor, it can be lonely.

“I haven’t seen my family in such a long time,” Karaki says. “I just want to spend some time in a family atmosphere, with parents and children who can understand how I feel.”

He says he knows many international students go through the same thing: “I really hope the program is a success and finds everyone a match.”

Organizers had intended to cut off applications by October 4 to allow time to make the matches, but will extend that deadline if it improves the chance for students to experience Canadian hospitality. Find more information, including online applications, on the program Web site, uwindsor.ca/isc/host.

Academic Area: