5 Things To Do During Thanksgiving Break for International/Non-Traveling Students
by Lizzy You
While most students are frantically booking their tickets back home for the long awaited Thanksgiving meal, international students and those who simply do not want to deal with the hassle of traveling are researching things to do during this upcoming break.
Don’t panic, we are in Los Angeles. If anything, there are too many options.
1. Experience a Thanksgiving Dinner Locally
Most of the international students have yet to experience a traditional Thanksgiving meal. On the other hand, non-travelers crave their mother’s home-made turkey with stuffing. Who knew these problems could be so easily solved? Many restaurants around Los Angeles provide an exceptionally delicious Thanksgiving meal. If you are on a budget, Cafe Gratitude in Venice provides a free and tasty vegan Thanksgiving meal on a first-come-first-serve basis. On the other hand, if you are feeling extra thankful this year, you can always sign up to volunteer during this annual event. If dining out requires too much effort, grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Ralph’s offer Thanksgiving “dinner-to-go” meals with pre-cooked Thanksgiving dishes. Don’t forget, USC always have the option to eat with President Nikias and spend your Thanksgiving with the Trojan family. It’s all up to you.
2. Plan a Road Trip
A five-day holiday screams road trip. Los Angeles is the heart of short road trips and getaways. After all, we deserve a relaxing and fun getaway after weeks of sleepless nights and cramming. Outdoor and nature lovers can make a trip to sites like Yosemite Park, Big Sur, and Joshua Tree for hiking, rafting, rock climbing, and camping experiences. If you’d rather not drive that far, take a short trip to Malibu for a walk on the beach, horseback riding, or camping. San Diego is also always a good option: a slower paced alternative to Los Angeles with beautiful beaches like the one in Coronado Island. For the adrenaline junkies, Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear are perfect places for skiing and other related activities. Regardless of where you choose, a memorable trip is guaranteed.
3. Become a Foodie for a week!
You’ve seen it everywhere: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr. People are taking photos of their food. Whether you’re for this trend or not, it doesn’t hurt to try it out. Explore Yelp an1d the location tags on food Instagrams and you won’t be disappointed with the choice you make. Who knew the exploring process would be just as fun as the actual eating process? If anywhere, Los Angeles has all the food you could possibly crave. If you head to Republique not far from campus, you’ll find yourself drooling over the variety of pastries as well as their delicious menu options such as their breakfast sandwich, brioche french toast, and regular breakfast. Le Pain Quotidien’s avocado toast, warm Belgian waffle, and toasted ham & cheese croissant are also must-tries. Plus, they’re located just 10 minutes from the USC campus! No matter how full you are, there is always room for dessert. For a scoop of joy, visit Salt & Straw at Larchmont for some freshly made ice cream. Currently, they offer Thanksgiving flavors such as Apple Cranberry Stuffing, Sweet Potato w/ Maple Pecan, and savory flavors like Buttered Mashed Potatoes & Gravy. You also can’t go wrong with their signature flavors, especially Honey Lavender and Roasted Strawberry & Toasted White Chocolate. Eat with no regrets or just eat now & regret later! And remember, take a picture of your food for future drools.
4. Stay Active
Need to burn off the turkey and stuffing or those stress binge sessions before exams? Los Angeles offers numerous hiking trails ranging from popular hikes to awesome but yet to be discovered hikes. The Mt. Hollywood Hike is one of those iconic hikes that you must visit sometime in your life. If you are up for a challenge, start the hike from Fern Dell instead of driving halfway up to the Observatory and hiking from there. Hiking the Cahuenga Peak and Wisdom Tree is also great for those who want a short but effective workout while getting a beautiful view of Burbank. Eaton Canyon Hike is also a quiet and moderate hike in Pasadena. If you’re lucky, the hike rewards you with a scenic waterfall that allows you to dive in and cool down. Not a lover of the outdoors? Sign up for a spinning class ten minutes from campus at BeSpoke that integrates pump up music into a sweaty workout or a kickboxing class 20 minutes from campus at Prevail Los Angeles to alleviate all the stress you have been having. It’s hard to believe, but you can make exercising fun.
5. Reward yourself with Some R&R
Rest and relaxation are crucial after months of nonstop hustle and bustle. Take time for yourself because as fun as it is to immerse yourself in a crowd full of people you love, alone time is just as important. The end of 2015 is around the corner; reflect on great memories, people, and accomplishments from this year and let us not forget to remind ourselves how blessed and fortunate we are to be healthy, living, and of course, a Trojan. Make time for yourself and soak it all in; it is therapeutic and rejuvenating.
Gobble gobble—stay safe and have a good break!
Reach Contributor Lizzy You here.
