First-year history and international students roast s’mores at Foster Lake

ALFRED, NY – A group of domestic and international students went to Foster Lake for a hike and campfire on Friday, Oct. 15. With sunshine and temperatures in the 70s, the conditions were unbeatable. After a hike around the lake, the students roasted s’mores around a campfire. 

Andrew Kless’s First Year Experience (FYE) global history class, and Vicky Westacott’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Writing I for Non-native Speakers classes have partnered to bring Alfred University’s domestic and international students together for an on-campus cultural exchange. Kless is an Assistant Professor of History and Global Studies and Director of the Global Studies program, and Westacott is Director of the Writing Center. 

For many international students, Friday’s gathering at Foster Lake was their first time encountering this traditional American campground fare.  When an international student asked Dr. Westacott, “What’s a s’more?”, she responded, “You know, you eat one and you just want to keep eating more!” Kless and Westacott were happy to report that most students enjoyed more than one s’more!

Students have engaged in a semester-long pen pal project and series of collaborative events, which kicked off with a pizza party. They are looking forward to sharing an International Thanksgiving potluck the weekend before the holiday.