As an international student in the UK, spending Christmas in another country can be both an exciting and challenging experience. While experiencing how people of different nationalities and cultures celebrate the season, it can also lead to feelings of loneliness, homesickness, and isolation. We asked international students about their experiences of Christmas in the UK, including the many opportunities and activities on offer, how they commemorate the season personally, and what they do to stay connected to their friends and family back home.
Jade Street Jade is from Zambia and is a second year medical science student at the University of South Wales. Her Christmas meal of choice is a ‘Zambian Christmas feast’, made up of gammon, lamb, roast chicken, several sides – including Yorkshire puddings with golden syrup – and a dessert, usually her Grandma's trifle.
Do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year? If so, what will you be doing?
I’m going back home to Zambia for a ‘hot Christmas’ – a full day of celebrations with my family and close friends. We will eat, swim, tan and likely enjoy some champagne!
What is a typical Christmas like in your country of origin and what does a traditional Christmas meal mean to you?
It is celebrated in many ways as Zambia has a big international community. But in general, it is all about family and friends coming together to celebrate the birth of Jesus, as Zambia is a Christian nation. A Christmas meal to me means love. There is a vast amount of effort put into each element. From the rice to the juicy gammon – every bite feels like a warm hug.
If you are staying in the UK over the Christmas period, will you be spending time with other students? Do you feel it’s important for international students to keep each other company during this time?
I am not staying, but it is so important to keep connected though! Humans are social beings and especially during Christmas time and in the cold winter it is vital to remember how loved you are.
Staying away from friends and family can be very difficult, what sort of things do you do to avoid feeling lonely during the academic year?
I mainly exercise, cook, plan healthy meals, talk over the phone, keep on top of my university work, and socialize with people in halls from resident life events. I would also recommend getting a job at times when exams and content are not too excessive – I used to work in a bakery after my 1st year exams.
What is your favourite thing about living and studying in the UK?
The supermarkets and the variety of foods available to cook new meals! How many events are going on, where you can meet people with similar and different mindsets as you. Overall, my favourite thing is how big and vast opportunities are here.
Anastasiia Guseva Anastasiia from Russia is one of our new #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors for 2024-25 , and is studying for a higher national diploma in business at Uxbridge College. Her Christmas meal of choice is an Olivier salad, a traditional dish to celebrate the new year in Russia.
Do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year? If so, what will you be doing?
This year, I will not be celebrating Christmas in the traditional sense, mainly because it is not a common practice in my home country. However, I am looking forward to attending a friend's dinner party, which promises to be a unique and delightful experience. I think this way of celebration is different to the usual festivities, as Christmas seems like a family holiday in the UK, but this difference is what makes this season special for me.
What is a typical Christmas like in your country of origin and what does a traditional Christmas meal mean to you?
In Russia, Christmas is not celebrated nationally due to the diverse religious landscape of the country. Instead, the focus is on New Year's Eve, celebrated on 31 December. This celebration is followed by a 10-day holiday period, which people usually spend with their family at home. A staple in almost every household is the Olivier salad, a symbol of New Year's celebrations, and its presence adds a touch of warmth and tradition to this cold winter.
If you are staying in the UK over the Christmas period, will you be spending time with other students? Do you feel it’s important for international students to keep each other company during this time?
This festive season in the UK, I will be spending time with fellow students and colleagues, creating a sense of community during this time of the year. I genuinely believe that, especially for international students, sticking together during Christmas and New Year is essential. It not only provides a sense of belonging but also turns the holiday into a shared experience.
Staying away from friends and family can be very difficult, what sort of things do you do to avoid feeling lonely during the academic year?
Acknowledging the challenges of being away from friends and family, I have found that engaging in productive and positive activities is key to avoiding loneliness during the academic year. For those struggling to find company during Christmas or New Year’s, I would recommend focusing on assignments, taking extra courses, or even exploring temporary employment like a Christmas market job. These experiences not only keep you occupied but also contribute to personal growth and skill development. Alternatively, you may also take a solo trip and make friends abroad or across the UK.
Remember that building meaningful friendships can be a gradual process, and that is perfectly acceptable. Do not be afraid to embrace this journey, and in the interim, redirect focus towards other aspects of life, even if they do not initially appear festive or relaxing. Consider this period as a valuable opportunity for effective time management. Following this approach, you create a scenario where, by the time you do establish close friendships, many of your personal and academic responsibilities will already be accomplished. This will allow you the freedom to allocate more time to the people who become an integral part of your life.
In short, it is all about viewing the journey towards friendships as a parallel track to personal development, where both aspects complement and enrich each other.
What is your favourite thing about living and studying in the UK?
One of the things I cherish most about living and studying in the UK is the number of opportunities available. The diversity of people from around the world creates an environment where there is no definitive right or wrong answer, allowing you to experiment and try new things more confidently. In other words, the UK encourages exploration, helping individuals to achieve remarkable things by pursuing their passions.
This concept is very inspiring to me and I hope it is to every international student. After all, we all came here to expand our horizons, inspire change, take risks, and ultimately succeed. In my opinion, the UK provides an ideal environment for such pursuits.
Assanatou Sy Assanatou, another one of our new #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors, is a master’s student in international security at the University of Bath. She recorded this special video to talk about her experiences of Christmas in the UK, including several of her top tips for making the most out of the season, and how best to stay connected to your friends and family back home.
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