While many American college students eagerly leave campus and visit family during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday breaks, these can be lonely weeks for international students without the time or money to travel home.

Fortunately there is help for international students who may be alone or feel homesick during the holidays. Many colleges and universities in the US have special activities and events specifically for international students. So although campus might be quiet, you don’t have to spend your time alone.

For example, the Daily Collegian at Penn State University reported last week that the International Student Services office can pair international students with American families during the holidays. But most of Penn State’s international students travel within the US during Thanksgiving break.

Some international students experience Thanksgiving with a friend, reports the student newspaper at Baylor University. Others visit family in the US.

Many international students at the University of Idaho stay in the US during the fall break but travel to their home countries during the winter break, according to the school’s student newspaper.

Don’t have plans yet? Ask the international student services office at your college if they have suggestions about how you can spend the holidays. Whether you spend them eating turkey or visiting another American city, chances are you won’t have to spend the holidays alone.