International students’ Christmas – at home and away from it

Spending Christmas in another country means also adapting to the new traditions, such as having different meals on Christmas Eve, or developing new routines, such as taking the initiative to invite friends to your place. However, for most international Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) students, the greatest difference between Christmas in Lithuania and at home is the weather.

"In winter in Lithuania, all the landscape feels like a decoration," says Gerson David Pinto Chica, a bachelor's student at Mechatronics coming from Colombia and Tanzania. According to him, Columbians and Lithuanians have a lot of similar Christmas traditions - sharing food, joy, and spending time together is very important to all of us.

She describes that in Hungary, the Christmas tree is decorated only on December 24th, and small, beautifully wrapped chocolate-covered candies are hung on it, which children attempt to "steal". One more difference with Lithuanian traditions is that the presents on Christmas to Hungarians are brought by baby Jesus, and Santa in Hungary does not exist.

Food connects people across nations

For a Nicaraguan architecture student Alejandra Gutierrez, in Lithuania holidays are a lot quieter than at home, where there is music in the streets, everybody likes to get together, sing, play games and feel the "energy of the renewal".

"It is quite a secret recipe and usually takes hours in the making. That's why I always start two days before with my mother to make it. Relleno is food that signifies Christmas for us," says Alejandra, a student at KTU.

Giovanna Andino Villalta, a mechatronics student from Honduras, Central America describes Tamaleadas - tamale-making parties, a tradition spread in the whole region from Mexico to Costa Rica. Recipes and key ingredients vary from family to family.

"Tamaleada is taking place a few weeks before Christmas. The whole family gathers to make nacatamales, a dish of steamed dough stuffed with vegetables and meat that is wrapped in a plantain leaf. Preparing and assembling the ingredients of a dish takes up to 3 hours, cooking takes up to 8 hours," explains Giovanna.

For Hungarians, similarly to Lithuanians, the most important festive dinner is Christmas Eve. However, the foods are quite different.

"On Christmas Eve, we eat at least one fish dish and a dessert with poppy seeds or walnuts - it is believed to bring future wealth. Other popular dishes are stuffed cabbage, chicken or duck. Among the desserts made, there are beijgli (roll with walnut, poppy or chestnut filling), chestnut puree with whipped cream, gingerbread, zserbó (walnut and apricot jam layered cake) and others. The trend in desserts is obvious: they are often with walnuts, poppy seeds and jams," says Nóra Nagybákay.

Christmas celebrations last longer than one day

In many Lithuanian cities, Christmas trees in the city squares are decorated and lighted at the very beginning of December. That's when people are starting to appreciate the festive mood and wait for the coming of the holidays. The long festive period is characteristic of many countries in the world.

Another special Honduran tradition is Los Nacimientos, which is based on the Christmas story, i.e. the birth of Jesus Christ and the Catholic story of the Bible. People make clay figurines and place them in their homes to remember the birth of the baby Jesus; they also create entire cities with these figures, drawing inspiration from their hometowns.

In Nicaragua, during the festive period many people go to the beach every day, says KTU architecture student Alejandra. On Christmas Day, the 25^th, there is a tradition to visit the cemetery: "We give roses and prayers to our loved ones that have passed."

Spending Christmas in Lithuania as an international student

Although Christmas is traditionally considered a family holiday, as an international student, you might not always be able to travel home. Don't worry! There are plenty of possibilities to enjoy food, admire Christmas decorations and the company of friends in Lithuania, too.

• Plan something

Christmas calls for more initiative - if you have no plans, make one yourself! Cook a meal, it may even be something traditional from your country, and invite friends over. During these days, people love to go out, have time together and enjoy delicious foods.

• Get a Christmas tree

Even a small branch will do - its fresh scent will transport you to your childhood Christmas home. Get some Christmas decorations, string lights, and light a scented candle. Invite your friends over for cosy conversations or board games night.

• Find your Christmas "Family"

You would be surprised how many people are searching for a company for Christmas. Check in with student societies, and international communities, or simply ask around your classes to find out what other international students' Christmas plans are. Being away from your family does not mean that you need to be alone!

• Plan video calls with your family

Technologies allow us to keep in touch even if we are living in different parts of the world. It is important to take time and talk to your closest ones, after all - it's what Christmas are about.

• Travel

You may be not able to go home, but you can travel around Lithuania - Vilnius or the seaside is always a good idea. You can also plan a trip to a nearby country, such as Latvia, Estonia or Poland. A couple of hours on the bus or train can take you to unexpected destinations, Christmas markets and beautiful landscapes.

• Rest!

Take these holidays as an opportunity to sleep until noon, read books or binge-watch a show that you were postponing. This is a holiday from your studies, so take time to rest up. After all, exams are starting in January.