When Starbucks launched the Pumpkin Spice Latte, my perception of autumn in America was formed. Autumn is imagined as pumpkin in Americans mind. Stores and markets decorated with pumpkins are verifying my idea. Fall is signified enrichment to everyone like ripped plump-pumpkin. Thanksgiving is known as a holiday to celebrate the abundance of the season and people express gratitude for a full harvest, and gather with beloved family around a dining table for a warm meal. Likewise, Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving day, is a big national holiday, so I can understand how much thanksgiving is important to American and has precious meaning.

Sometimes, however, the reason why people get excited during the holiday is not just because of family reunion, but a great deal of shopping. Colossal bargains which are promoted over the holiday such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday by retailers are regarded as big chances to purchase commodities at outstanding prices. According to a research by NRF, National Retail Federation, more than 154 million consumers shopped in person and online last Black Friday.

On the contrary, while many people are keen to be a winner of a shopping competition,there are movements contributing to giving back to society. #GivingTuesday is such a movement, celebrated on the day after Thanksgiving each year.   It was started to support charity and encourage people to give back through donating and volunteerism. The influence of #GivingTuesday is becoming stronger as it remarkably raised $116 million for charities in 2015—only 3 years after it was founded.

If you want to have meaningful Thanksgiving holiday this year, I strongly recommend joining #GivingTuesday. iEARN-USA also participates in the event, raising funds  increasing awareness of global education. Through ‘Passport to iEARN’, one of iEARN’s  #Givingtuesday events, you can experience 12-hrs of global virtual video chat - anyone can take part no matter far the physical distance between us. Additionally, they will hold an ‘Open house’ in the iEARN-USA office on the same day. If you are in New York,you can meet inspiring people from the global education community.

I’m so excited that this will be my first Thanksgiving in the U.S. and I can celebrate #GivingTuesday at the same time. I am looking forward to experiencing American holiday traditions and seeing a value of charity by participating in the event.

Learn more and join iEARN by visiting:

Open House https://iearnopenhouse.eventbrite.com

Passport to iEARN https://passporttoiearn.eventbrite.com