USC President C.L. Max Nikias and wife Niki C. Nikias opened their home to share Thanksgiving meal with students who are away from their families. IPPAM 18’s Saltanat Kerimbayeva was among the 200 lucky USC students invited to this special feast. 

“This year I was honored and grateful to celebrate this wonderful American cultural tradition with my great Trojan Family. I was fortunate enough to have a brief chat with President Nikias. When I told him that I’m an IPPAM student from Kazakhstan, he said that John Mork, Chairman of the USC Board of Trustees, had just recently visited Kazakhstan. Then he introduced us to meet! When I told Mr. Mork I will be graduating this May, he promised to sign my diploma! We also discussed some international relations issues, and I invited him to visit Kazakhstan for Expo 2017: Future Energy. The Nikias family are such sincere and kind people. I could tell they hosted this special event from their hearts out of respect and gratitude for the USC students. I’ve also learned from them to be generous in sharing what you have with people. What a once in a lifetime experience! I will cherish this memory in my heart always.” ~ Saltanat Kerimbayeva, IPPAM 18