My Christmas in China as an international student
What’s it like spending Christmas in China while studying abroad? Can you still have fun away from home?
We asked three INTO China students to tell us their plans for the holidays…
Margarita from Colombia
Christmas is an important season for many international students, especially for me.
I’m from Colombia and this year I’m spending Christmas with the new friends I’ve met in China.I’ve already decorated my room with Christmas things, including a little tree with lights.
As Colombians start celebrating Christmas on 7th December, I met up with some friends on that day.
I also put candles outside my building as this is a big tradition in my country. In the cold weather we write ‘Colombia’ with candles, play in the snow, drink soda and eat cookies!
On 21st December, I’m going to the INTO Winter Ball. On Christmas Day I’m planning to have a Skype chat with all my family back home.
Nelson from Indonesia
This Christmas will be the second one that I’ll be celebrating a thousand miles away from my home country and loved ones.
Last year, my family came to visit me in China and it was also my first “white Christmas” as it snowed on the day.
For me, that was very beautiful as it never happens back home.
But this year will be different as I’ll be celebrating with friends instead, especially other Indonesian people. We might go to a restaurant for Christmas dinner and I’ll also go to church.
In Dalian, only a few places have Christmas decorations but despite this, I’m grateful to be here as I know I can still have a wonderful experience.
Nelson studied BSc International Business Management student at INTO Dongbei University of Finance and Economics.
Lina from Colombia
Christmas isn’t just about celebrations and gifts, it’s also about spending time with your loved ones.
For the past two years in Tianjin, I’ve spent Christmas with the friends who’ve supported me here.
Myself and my INTO China “family” have lots of Christmas plans. We are doing “Secret Santa” (when all your friends put their name in a bag, pick one out and buy the person a Christmas present – but you have to keep it secret!).
It’s a fun way to make gift giving more interesting. We’re going to swap our Secret Santa presents on Christmas Eve and we’ve also planned a delicious dinner where everyone is going to bring a special dish from their country. We’ll have food from Sri Lanka, France, the UK, the USA, Colombia, Korea, China, Italy and Nigeria.
It’s going to be an amazing celebration, full of presents, food and friends – what more could you ask for? A very international and INTO style Christmas!
Lina studied an MA in International Economics and Business at INTO Nankai University.
What are you doing over the festive season? Show us on Instagram by tagging your pics #INTOxmas.
You might also like: 5 reasons why studying in China is great for your career, my first week studying in China and 5 favourite Christmas traditions.
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