So remember how we "adopted" a Chinese student back at the beginning of the school year? We haven't done much with him but take him out to lunch a few times. He has a girlfriend who is also Chinese and I don't think we have ever done anything with him when she wasn't along. Now the semester is ending. Girlfriend is graduating and will be moving on to another graduate program in another state unless she can get a job here. Grad school is basically a way for her to stay in the US until she can find a job.
Our student is leaving for the summer but intending to be back here next year as long as his visa doesn't get denied while he is home.
We asked to take them out to dinner Thursday night. We asked where they would like to go and they said they would prefer to be at our house. That is fine but then I clench up at the thought of what to cook. I've never seen either of them eat more than a polite nibble of American food. Suggestions? Just give them some good 'ol American grilled hamburgers and mashed potatoes and call it a day?
So I'm thinking we should at least get the girlfriend a graduation/goodbye gift, but what? Some tiny memento? Cash? Gift card? How much $$?
Should we also give our student something? There is a chance we won't see him again and the Chinese culture is very big on gifts. When H was there he came home with a suitcase full of stuff that people gave him.
I just a friendly gal looking for options.
