December 1st, 2014 | Uncategorized
We begin to look forward to the American tradition of giving thanks, eating turkey, stuffing and watching NFL football! While I realized this Thanksgiving was going to be different and one I would always remember, I am forever thankful for the effort Sport Changes Life made to bring all of the scholars back to Belfast for the holiday.
Jon and I arrived in Belfast on Thanksgiving Day along with fellow scholars Christine and Jen, and it hit me that this was my first time back in Belfast since those first weeks in August! We had all been getting accustomed to our respective lives in our own Master’s programs and local areas, and this was our first time reuniting with everyone. I had been looking forward to this moment literally all week, and knew we were going to be in for a fun time.
Thanksgiving dinner (complete with turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese, and pumpkin pie) was held at a nice restaurant in Belfast, and we were able to mix and mingle with the staff and supporters – expressing our gratitude and thankfulness to the ones who helped make our Victory Scholar opportunity possible. It’s so easy to forget and get sucked into the every day nuances of life, that you sometimes forget how blessed and fortunate you are!
While I watched our surprise home videos sent from our friends and family in the US, I was reminded that I was still surrounded by a different family on Thanksgiving – my Sport Changes Life family. Needless to say, my Thanksgiving in Ireland was one I will never forget!
Victory Scholar: Kelsey Harris
Sport League: SOCON Sports
League
Present University: University of Limerick
Alma Mater: Elon University