By Abderrahman Braham (YES 2022-2023, Tunisia, placed by AFS-USA in Ottawa Hills, OH)

When I returned to Tunisia after my YES year, I was excited to finally join the YES alumni community. We frequently organize celebrations for American holidays, and this year’s Thanksgiving was no exception. The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia invited my cohort to celebrate Thanksgiving at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, Joey Hood. This was a great opportunity to connect with the U.S. Embassy and gather with friends we hadn’t seen in months.

When we arrived, the fall decorations, the traditional Thanksgiving meal, and the hospitality of the Ambassador and his family transported us back to Thanksgiving celebrations with our host families. We then shared what we were thankful for. We were all grateful for our family and friends, and our health!

Then, the Ambassador led us in a Thanksgiving prayer, and we dove into the delightful feast. We had turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted brussels sprouts, vegetables, and the Obamas’ White House sweet potatoes. While we enjoyed the food, we caught up with our fellow alumni and shared stories about our Thanksgiving experiences in the U.S. For dessert, we enjoyed pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies.

To close out the night, we went outside to watch the sunset and discuss the historical ties between the United States and Tunisia. We all are very grateful to be part of the YES family!