Are you going home for Christmas?

Have you thought about what you will be doing over Christmas?  Will you be going home?  Or are you planning to stay in the UK? 

There are over two thousand international students who represent 100 countries at University of Central Lancashire.

True, not all of us celebrate Christmas, some come from cultures that celebrate Christmas in different ways while for others Christmas is not celebrated at all. Whatever it maybe it is hard not to experience some element of Christmas as the holidays approach.

Shopping windows filled with Christmas decorations and unbelievably attractive sales find students queuing up to buy their presents for Christmas or something special for their loved ones back home.

But some students aren’t as fortunate to return home for the holidays. Students who can’t go home at Christmas can find themselves in a difficult place without friends or support structures around.

Thirty three year old Jude Nwagbara, who is pursuing his postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management said he won’t be going back home in Nigeria this Christmas due to financial constraints.

“Home is far from here, it isn’t easy going back and forth whenever you want to. I will be spending my holidays in Preston. I think it should be fun as long as I my friends to celebrate with.” he said.

But most of the international students have agreed that they would love to know and experience how Christmas is celebrated in Britain.

First year International Journalism students, Pang Yanrong and Kerstin Tschernigg excitedly quip that they love learning about the culture here as it is wonderful how various people celebrate Christmas differently.

“I am going to buy a plastic Christmas tree and decorate it and sing carols in different languages!” said Kerstin.

They plan to have a mini Christmas celebration in advance before they part ways for the holidays.

Kerstin Tschernigg said she will spend ‘actual Christmas’ back home in Austria. “I am going back to my home country and plan to celebrate Christmas traditionally with my family. I will go to church at 10pm. Before that we'll exchange gifts, sing under the Christmas tree and have dinner together.” she entailed.

While, Pang Yanrong won’t be going back home to Singapore but instead will be heading to Munich for Christmas to visit her cousin who is studying there. “I don’t think it is worth the price of the flight to fly back to Singapore for a week or so and back again.”

Uzondu Izidoro, Business student from Nigeria said he is most likely to stay back in Preston as well. But he did go on to add that no matter where they celebrate it Christmas is a time for families and friends to celebrate the holidays and share memories of warm celebrations and delicious food.

If you wish to experience a traditional Christmas with an English family, you can. Christmas Hospitality is an organization that allows you to spend the festivity with a Christian family who are willing to share their traditional Christmas day: a time of festivity, celebration, family times, and the remembrance of a very special birth.

This is open to all international students of any or no religion and there is no charge involved. The scheme has been running since 2004 and the feedback from students has all been positive. To register log on www.christmashospitality.com. Although, numbers may be limited by the numbers of host families available and the places will be allocated in the order in which registrations are made.

If you are planning on staying on-campus over Christmas then you must look at the recommended list of events lined up for you this Christmas.

But no matter where you are, here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year. 

(This feature was originally published in PR1 Magazine on 29th November 2010)

PR1 is University of Central Lancashire's Student Magazine.

To read issue: http://issuu.com/jamesbutlin/docs/pr1issue61

Expatriates Rejoice on National Day

Streets and landmarks all over the Emirates have been bedecked with colourful bulbs and UAE National flags as part of the arrangement made for celebrating the 38th National Day on 2nd December 2009. Cars decorated with national flags and images of the Rulers were a common sight on the Emirati streets.

The UAE National Flag held high

National Day instils patriotic sentiments among Emiratis as well to a majority of expatriates who feel no differently as they have lived here and have come to call this country their second home.

United Arab Emirates, known to be a melting pot of diversity and culture as it serves to more than 200 nationalities of diverse cultural backgrounds, residing harmoniously together.

Haque Esaham, residing in the UAE for the last 33 years has witnessed the Emirate evolve into the Emirate it is today.

“I have been living in the UAE for the last 33 years and I have never failed to see the patriotic feeling- a patriotic gene that National day brings to everyone. This auspicious day gives us a prestigious and nationalistic feeling. Every country celebrates its national day, but I think UAE takes it a step further, as it has a big image to live up to,” said Mr. Haque Esaham, a Insurance Manager from Bangladesh.

“By celebrating National we have come to realize how UAE has grown as a country and how we have grown with it,” added the 56 year old.

Apart from the peoples party on the Corniche with chanting, singing, dancing and of course engine revving and car horning, all the Emirates prepared for quite a few treats for the celebration of the UAE National Day. From extravagant shows to simpleton parks or picnics at the beach, local and expatriate families celebrated this special day unlike any other.

Usama Sayed spends time with his family and relatives on this joyous occasion

Usama Sayed, an Egyptian, who works as a Human Resource Manager, said “National day means a lot to me, it gives us a chance to unite, to spend quality time together with family, friends, relatives, acquaintances,”

“UAE has become a part of me, it holds great memories for me, my children were born in Dubai, the pleasant outings with my family such as these are things you remember for life and I am thankful for it,” reminisced Mr.Sayed, who has been residing in the UAE since 1997.

Mr. Ramzi and his two children, who love UAE as their very own

While Mr. Ramzi, 37 year old Jordanian shares a similar feeling, “I love UAE same as my country. I have been living in the Emirates for ten years now and it has offered me so much, that I am forever grateful. My two children were born and brought up here, even they treat UAE as their own,”

“UAE has given us, so many rights, treating us as equals, which I would not find in my own country, Palestine,” said Ms. Rima Khorshid, 19 year old Palestinian.

“Besides it being holidays, National day allows us to celebrate the day together, the locals want us to be part of the culture allowing us to be a part and participate on this special day,” she added.

Shakoufeh Khakipour is filled with enthusiasm on National Day

For Ms. Shakoufeh Khakipour, 21 year old Irani, “National Day is a day of joy and independence for UAE, it is not every day you get to see everyone come together to show their love for the country.”

It also gives us, Iranians a chance to show our love and respect for the country. It is also an opportunity for my family and friends to rejoice this special day with the Emiratis” said Ms. Khakipour.

Rawan Osama and her sister are filled with happiness as they celebrate National Day

While 8 year old, Ms. Rawan Osama from Sudan said “It is great to see the country so happy, that I feel so happy too. I was born here, so UAE is like my home as I have lived here my whole life,”
“There are lot of colours, shows and picnics for us and holidays for us to spend time together.” added little Rawan, frantically waving the National flag with her family.

2009 marks the 38th National Day for United Arab Emirates

National Day is traditionally celebrated every year, with more and more enthuse from the Emiratis as well as the expatriates. Expats have grown to love United Arab Emirates, as their own. For some expats, UAE is the only home they know while for others for Emirates could be a pedestal to their careers to even a holiday destination. All it matters is that expatriates slowly find themselves attached to the country, whether carrying good memories or bad.

Photo Credit: Megna Kalvani