For us international students, Thanksgiving is nothing short of a miracle holiday. I hail from Jakarta, Indonesia and prior to coming to the U.S., I had never known that such a holiday even existed. My discovery and experience of American Thanksgiving, and I’m sure for many other international students, went something like this.

1. Discovering Thanksgiving for the first time.

You go around asking all your friends what Thanksgiving is and they look at you like you're an idiot and say, "it's a holiday for giving thanks." Like, duh. Well played, Americans.

2. Wondering why we're supposed to eat turkeys during Thanksgiving.

But why do we eat turkeys? And your friends don't know the answer and you just don't get it. Why? Why?! WHY?!

3. You've never tried turkey so you get excited.

There's something about seeing a whole turkey in front of you that makes you feel a little adventurous.

4. Maybe a little too excited.

You decide you're going to do it the true American way and cook the turkey with your friends and then realize halfway that you have no idea what you're doing.

5. So you end up buying a pre-made turkey from the supermarket but prepare it to look like you've made it yourself.

And you proceed to post the photos on Instagram. #homecook #TrueAmerican.

6. Eating turkey for the first time.

7. You are overwhelmed by it all and saying thank you to everyone you meet.

And maybe you're a little too dramatic about it.

8. You realize Thanksgiving means you get a week off of school.

9. You make travel plans so you have something to look forward to.

And you finally getting to travel the world with your best friends.

10. And finally, you decide that Thanksgiving is the best holiday of all time.